I discovered an organization called Children International many years ago. It started inconspicuously enough. A single
child in Guatemala needed assistance. It has grown considerably in the intervening years. Today I sponsor 26 young girls
in seven countries. A compilation of my visits and a donation my company made is here.
We exchange occasional letters and photographs. They tell me about their dreams and aspirations, and I try through
monetary gifts to give them something they've had precious little of: hope. They send me notes of appreciation, which is
more valuable than the money.
Simply click on their names and you'll see how they've grown. Or select links to pictures and video from my visits.
child in Guatemala needed assistance. It has grown considerably in the intervening years. Today I sponsor 26 young girls
in seven countries. A compilation of my visits and a donation my company made is here.
We exchange occasional letters and photographs. They tell me about their dreams and aspirations, and I try through
monetary gifts to give them something they've had precious little of: hope. They send me notes of appreciation, which is
more valuable than the money.
Simply click on their names and you'll see how they've grown. Or select links to pictures and video from my visits.
Milena Andrea
I had the pleasure of meeting Milena
recently. She was very nervous at
first, but has a ready smile and likes
cartoons. She lives with her brother
and Mom in El Melon, Chile.
June 30, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,
video, Dec. 30 2010 - 1,2,3,4,5,video,
gift, gift
I had the pleasure of meeting Milena
recently. She was very nervous at
first, but has a ready smile and likes
cartoons. She lives with her brother
and Mom in El Melon, Chile.
June 30, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,
video, Dec. 30 2010 - 1,2,3,4,5,video,
gift, gift
Evelyn Paola
Evelyn is a very shy child, but I got her to
smile a few times. The Rocha family is
desperately poor. Evelin is 11 and her Mom is
26. You do the math. We raised money to
tear down the shack they're living in and
replacing it with something far better. 17
people in one house!
September 18, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, 3, video,
gift, April 27,2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4, video,
Dec 28 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,video
Evelyn is a very shy child, but I got her to
smile a few times. The Rocha family is
desperately poor. Evelin is 11 and her Mom is
26. You do the math. We raised money to
tear down the shack they're living in and
replacing it with something far better. 17
people in one house!
September 18, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, 3, video,
gift, April 27,2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4, video,
Dec 28 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,video
Maria Esther
Maria and her four siblings live in a
very modest home in Santiago,
Dominican Rep. A shy kid with a
sweet disposition, Maria wants to be
a teacher someday.
December 29, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2,
video, gift, gift
July 13, 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, November 24, 2011 - Parts
1,2,3,4,5, video
Maria and her four siblings live in a
very modest home in Santiago,
Dominican Rep. A shy kid with a
sweet disposition, Maria wants to be
a teacher someday.
December 29, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2,
video, gift, gift
July 13, 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, November 24, 2011 - Parts
1,2,3,4,5, video
Bianca Mariana
What a charming and engaging young lady
Bianca is. She was a little nervous prior to
our first meeting, but that disappeared with
our first hug. Bianca and 9 others live
together right next to a bustling street in
Guayaquil, Ecuador. Bianca wants to be a
newscaster someday.
September 26, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, 3, video,
gift, gift, October 25,2010 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,video
What a charming and engaging young lady
Bianca is. She was a little nervous prior to
our first meeting, but that disappeared with
our first hug. Bianca and 9 others live
together right next to a bustling street in
Guayaquil, Ecuador. Bianca wants to be a
newscaster someday.
September 26, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, 3, video,
gift, gift, October 25,2010 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,video
Mildred Nicole
This kid is far too cute to be a
Mildred. Nevertheless, she and her
two sisters have two parents and
running water! Mildred's abode is
in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
April 16, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6,
video, Jan. 7 2011 visit - parts
1,2,3,4,5,video, gift, gift2
This kid is far too cute to be a
Mildred. Nevertheless, she and her
two sisters have two parents and
running water! Mildred's abode is
in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
April 16, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6,
video, Jan. 7 2011 visit - parts
1,2,3,4,5,video, gift, gift2
Alma Guadalupe
Does this little bundle of joy look
like a heart-breaker? Trouble
awaits! She and her sister,
Angelica, are both 10-years-old.
Either they're twins or Mom and
Dad work quickly. The four of
them call Jalisco, Mexico home.
October 23, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,video gift1, gift2 April 1
2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5
Does this little bundle of joy look
like a heart-breaker? Trouble
awaits! She and her sister,
Angelica, are both 10-years-old.
Either they're twins or Mom and
Dad work quickly. The four of
them call Jalisco, Mexico home.
October 23, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,video gift1, gift2 April 1
2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5
Mary Grace
This doe-eyed little tyke hails from Quezon
City, Philippines. Mary shares a room with
her sisters, Glennica and Jennifer. Yes, the
noise is surely deafening in their single
bedroom house! Mary is quite the
entertainer. Outgoing and can belt out a
song or two.
Jan 7, 2010 visit -Parts 1,2,3,4,5,video,gift,
July 30, 2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6
This doe-eyed little tyke hails from Quezon
City, Philippines. Mary shares a room with
her sisters, Glennica and Jennifer. Yes, the
noise is surely deafening in their single
bedroom house! Mary is quite the
entertainer. Outgoing and can belt out a
song or two.
Jan 7, 2010 visit -Parts 1,2,3,4,5,video,gift,
July 30, 2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6
Johainy
If Mary's house is deafening,
imagine Johainy's existence: Mom,
Dad, and five siblings managing to
make ends meet in one bedroom.
They live in Guatemala, and I can
almost hear them from here!
April 16, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6, video, Jan. 7 2011 visit -
parts 1,2,3,4,5,video, gift, gift2
If Mary's house is deafening,
imagine Johainy's existence: Mom,
Dad, and five siblings managing to
make ends meet in one bedroom.
They live in Guatemala, and I can
almost hear them from here!
April 16, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6, video, Jan. 7 2011 visit -
parts 1,2,3,4,5,video, gift, gift2
Nevis Karina
Did I tell you these kids were adorable?
Nevis's three older siblings probably don't
think so, but I do. Listen hard enough and
you can almost hear the din from
Barranquilla, Colombia.
September 22, 2008 Visit - 1, 2, 3, 4, video,
gift, April 29,2010 Visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, video
Jan 2, 2012 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,video
Did I tell you these kids were adorable?
Nevis's three older siblings probably don't
think so, but I do. Listen hard enough and
you can almost hear the din from
Barranquilla, Colombia.
September 22, 2008 Visit - 1, 2, 3, 4, video,
gift, April 29,2010 Visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, video
Jan 2, 2012 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,video
Ashley Milena
Ashley shares a birthday with my brother,
Thad. Apparently they also share a love for
food. Her Mom makes sure her daughter
cleans her plate! Asley and her brother,
Jeremy, call Guayaquil, Ecuador home.
September 25, 2008 Visit - Parts 1, 2, 3,
video, gift, October 26,2010 Visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,video
Ashley shares a birthday with my brother,
Thad. Apparently they also share a love for
food. Her Mom makes sure her daughter
cleans her plate! Asley and her brother,
Jeremy, call Guayaquil, Ecuador home.
September 25, 2008 Visit - Parts 1, 2, 3,
video, gift, October 26,2010 Visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,video
Karilin Yohana
Karilin's father is my age. His painting yields
a princely wage of $74 a month to feed,
clothe, and shelter three kids on his own.
Now this is pressure! Karilin enjoys
mathematics. Let's hope her studies allow
her to escape the grinding poverty.
April 15, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4, video,Jan.
6 2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,video, gift, gift2
Karilin's father is my age. His painting yields
a princely wage of $74 a month to feed,
clothe, and shelter three kids on his own.
Now this is pressure! Karilin enjoys
mathematics. Let's hope her studies allow
her to escape the grinding poverty.
April 15, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4, video,Jan.
6 2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,video, gift, gift2
Araceli
Araceli is a joy. Her family is so
tight. I got to meet them for the
second time recently and saw their
rebuilt house I helped to fund.
They're healthy and happy. What
more could one ask for?
July 1, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, Dec. 29 2010 - parts
1,2,3,4,5,video, pics, gift, home
Araceli is a joy. Her family is so
tight. I got to meet them for the
second time recently and saw their
rebuilt house I helped to fund.
They're healthy and happy. What
more could one ask for?
July 1, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, Dec. 29 2010 - parts
1,2,3,4,5,video, pics, gift, home
Yulianis Paola
What a joy it was to hold this girl and tell
her how beautiful she is. While being
somewhat timid, she thoroughly enjoyed
our time together. Saying goodbye was
very difficult. Yulianis admonished me
several times for my lack of letter-writing. I
plan to turn over a new leaf!
September 23, 2008 Visit - 1, 2, 3, 4, video,
gift, April 29,2010 Visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, video,
Jan 3, 2012 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6, video
What a joy it was to hold this girl and tell
her how beautiful she is. While being
somewhat timid, she thoroughly enjoyed
our time together. Saying goodbye was
very difficult. Yulianis admonished me
several times for my lack of letter-writing. I
plan to turn over a new leaf!
September 23, 2008 Visit - 1, 2, 3, 4, video,
gift, April 29,2010 Visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, video,
Jan 3, 2012 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6, video
Karelys
This bright-eyed girl loves dancing
and singing. I could start my own
dance troupe.... Karelys and her
three older brothers live on the
money her mother makes from
selling ticket in Cartagena, Colombia.
September 19, 2008 visit - 1, 2, 3, 4,
video, gift, April 26,2010 Visit -
1,2,3,4, video, Dec 29, 2011 visit -
1,2,3,4, video
This bright-eyed girl loves dancing
and singing. I could start my own
dance troupe.... Karelys and her
three older brothers live on the
money her mother makes from
selling ticket in Cartagena, Colombia.
September 19, 2008 visit - 1, 2, 3, 4,
video, gift, April 26,2010 Visit -
1,2,3,4, video, Dec 29, 2011 visit -
1,2,3,4, video
Altagracia
I recently visited Altagracia in Santiago,
Dominican Republic. What a delightful
young lady she is. Shy and emotional at
first, she warmed up to me as the day wore
on. Her dream gift: a video game console
at a cost of $13. And she's quite the artist
and athlete too. Her desire is to become a
dentist.
December 30, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, video,
gift, gift, July 12, 2010 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,video, November 23,2011 - 1,2,3
I recently visited Altagracia in Santiago,
Dominican Republic. What a delightful
young lady she is. Shy and emotional at
first, she warmed up to me as the day wore
on. Her dream gift: a video game console
at a cost of $13. And she's quite the artist
and athlete too. Her desire is to become a
dentist.
December 30, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, video,
gift, gift, July 12, 2010 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,video, November 23,2011 - 1,2,3
Jennevy
Yes, another girl born on my birthday. OK,
I'm a sucker. Jennevy, her younger sister,
and their parents live in Tabaco, Philippines
on a mere $92 per month. None of them
had beds - until my visit in January 2010.
Now they do. And she has a desk lamp to
further her studies.
January 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5, video,
gift, July 27, 2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4
Yes, another girl born on my birthday. OK,
I'm a sucker. Jennevy, her younger sister,
and their parents live in Tabaco, Philippines
on a mere $92 per month. None of them
had beds - until my visit in January 2010.
Now they do. And she has a desk lamp to
further her studies.
January 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5, video,
gift, July 27, 2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4
Jessa
I met Jessa recently. A
thoroughly wonderful young
girl. Her family's situation is
precarious. Their "house" is
barely fit for a dog - and
they're being threatened with
expulsion. Life ain't fair.
January 9, 2010 visit - 1, 2, 3, 4,
video, Gift, gift2, gift2b, Aug 2,
2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
I met Jessa recently. A
thoroughly wonderful young
girl. Her family's situation is
precarious. Their "house" is
barely fit for a dog - and
they're being threatened with
expulsion. Life ain't fair.
January 9, 2010 visit - 1, 2, 3, 4,
video, Gift, gift2, gift2b, Aug 2,
2011 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Siomara
Siomara, one of my six children
from Guatemala, recently
informed me during a recent visit
that she was pregnant...at the
age of 13. Not a typo. She's
going to need help!
April 14, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 video, Jan. 5
2011 visit parts 1,2,3,4,video,gift
Siomara, one of my six children
from Guatemala, recently
informed me during a recent visit
that she was pregnant...at the
age of 13. Not a typo. She's
going to need help!
April 14, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 video, Jan. 5
2011 visit parts 1,2,3,4,video,gift
Maria Erica
Maria Erica shares a one room
shack in Quezon City, Philippines
with her parents and five (5!)
siblings - all on $32/month. By
sacrificing one good bottle of
chardonnay every month, I can
literally double this family's
income. Astonishing.
Jan 7, 2010 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,gift,
video, July 30, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6
Maria Erica shares a one room
shack in Quezon City, Philippines
with her parents and five (5!)
siblings - all on $32/month. By
sacrificing one good bottle of
chardonnay every month, I can
literally double this family's
income. Astonishing.
Jan 7, 2010 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,gift,
video, July 30, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6
Armae
I'm a sucker for an adorable girl
who shares my birthday. So
sue me. Armae got a desk
lamp, mattress, clothes and
some toys during my visit. She
wants me to come back. :-)
January 8, 2010 visit - 1,2,3,4,
video, Gift, gift2, gift2b, July
29, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
I'm a sucker for an adorable girl
who shares my birthday. So
sue me. Armae got a desk
lamp, mattress, clothes and
some toys during my visit. She
wants me to come back. :-)
January 8, 2010 visit - 1,2,3,4,
video, Gift, gift2, gift2b, July
29, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Blanca
Blanca's family lives in Antigua,
Guatemala. They may very well
be the tightest and happiest
family I've ever met. How do
they do it on a few dollars a day?
April 13, 2009 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,
video,Jan. 5, 2011 visit -
1,2,3,4,video, gift1, gift2
Blanca's family lives in Antigua,
Guatemala. They may very well
be the tightest and happiest
family I've ever met. How do
they do it on a few dollars a day?
April 13, 2009 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,
video,Jan. 5, 2011 visit -
1,2,3,4,video, gift1, gift2
Maila
Maila is the youngest of 6. Their father
abandoned them, and her mother is a
homemaker. How 7 people live on a
monthly income of $28/month is beyond
me. My small contribution more than
doubles the family income. Amazing.
Jan 2, 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6, video,
Gift, gift2, gift2b, July 27, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4, gift
Maila is the youngest of 6. Their father
abandoned them, and her mother is a
homemaker. How 7 people live on a
monthly income of $28/month is beyond
me. My small contribution more than
doubles the family income. Amazing.
Jan 2, 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6, video,
Gift, gift2, gift2b, July 27, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4, gift
Lenin
After nearly five years of sponsorship, I am
proud to report that Lenis is smiling before
the camera for the first time. Mission
accomplished! Lenin's existence is tough,
but she's making it. Her family has issues,
but I'm confident that she'll succeed.
January 8, 2010 visit - 1, 2, 3, 4, video, Gift,
gift2, gift2b, July 29, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
After nearly five years of sponsorship, I am
proud to report that Lenis is smiling before
the camera for the first time. Mission
accomplished! Lenin's existence is tough,
but she's making it. Her family has issues,
but I'm confident that she'll succeed.
January 8, 2010 visit - 1, 2, 3, 4, video, Gift,
gift2, gift2b, July 29, 2011 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Daniela Criado
I heard her before I saw her. She yelled,
"Padrino!" and clung to me before I had a
chance to see her for the first time. What
an adorable child. She may be poor, but
she is healthy and happy. I hope to make
her life a little bit more bearable.
April 30, 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6 video,
gift, Jan 4, 2012 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,video
I heard her before I saw her. She yelled,
"Padrino!" and clung to me before I had a
chance to see her for the first time. What
an adorable child. She may be poor, but
she is healthy and happy. I hope to make
her life a little bit more bearable.
April 30, 2010 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6 video,
gift, Jan 4, 2012 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,video
Ruth
I liked Blanca's family so much that I
decided to sponsor her younger sister,
Ruth, who is simply too sweet for words. It
means I get to stay in touch with this family
for years to come.
I liked Blanca's family so much that I
decided to sponsor her younger sister,
Ruth, who is simply too sweet for words. It
means I get to stay in touch with this family
for years to come.
Maria Jose
Maria is the most recent
addition to the brood. She
resides in rural Guatemala with
her Mom and younger brother.
She has a ready smile and seems
to be healthy. I hope to give
her a brighter future and maybe
see her in person soon.
Maria is the most recent
addition to the brood. She
resides in rural Guatemala with
her Mom and younger brother.
She has a ready smile and seems
to be healthy. I hope to give
her a brighter future and maybe
see her in person soon.
