Happy Mother's Day!

There is no doubt about it, mothers are special. While spending time with my own mom on Mother’s Day, I was thinking about all the moms in our program who unselfishly give their time volunteering. We have thousands of volunteers around the world and without them our program wouldn’t work nearly as well.

Most are women like Mayra Bohórquez. Mayra lives in Guayaquil, Ecuador. With training that she received at her local community center, she learned how to prepare nutritious food with very little money. And now she teaches other moms in the community -- especially those with malnourished children -- how to cook dishes that are inexpensive and healthy.


“If the children don’t like carrots, I show the moms how to make a carrot cake that the children will eat for sure,” Mayra explains.

Mayra’s other volunteer duties include measuring children for their shoe size during gift distributions. But her heart is obviously in her cooking, a job she clearly loves.

“I enjoy sharing my knowledge with family and friends,” Mayra said.

Thanks to all of the moms just like Mayra who help to make our program special!

Youth Wins the Gold!

A Presidential honor is top of the list of accomplishments for Vakeyia, a sponsored child through Children International, a Kansas City-based nonprofit child sponsorship organization.

Vakeyia, an 18-year-old high school senior, has been awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award for her community service work in Little Rock, Arkansas. The prestigious award was created as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Vakeyia sees her service to others as a way to a better life. " I have learned that the more you help people, the better you feel inside. 'Be the change you wish for the world,' is the quote that best describes what I have learned. I will take the knowledge that I have acquired and try to change the world for the best."

Some of Vakeyia's other accomplishments include:

• Class of 2007 Valedictorian
• President of her agency's Youth Council
• Delegate representing her agency at Children International's 2006 International Youth Conference
• 4-year scholarship to Hendrix College in Arkansas.

But the odds were not always on Vakeyia's side, as she is one of six children raised by her single father. Vakeyia could have fallen victim to violence and drug activity in her neighborhood, but with her father's steadfast support and the help of after-school mentoring through Children International, Vakeyia has kept her focus on one day working in the field of forensics.

James R. Cook, president and CEO of Children International, says, "We are so proud of Vakeyia's accomplishments. She is proof that sponsorship makes a real impact in the life of a disadvantaged child. Knowing Vakeyia, she will be successful in any career she chooses."

Posted on behalf of Dolores Kitchin from Children International in Kansas City, MO.