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 25 young girls
in seven countries.
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 25 young girls
in seven countries.
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 Vecencio Arancibia
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, 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, gift
Evelin Paola Castro Rocha
Evelin is a very shy child, but I got her to smile
a few times. The Rocha family is desperately
poor. Evelin is 9 and her Mom is 24. You do
the math. Their "house" is made of scrap
materials and dirt floors. 4 people to a bed,
and 9 under one roof.
September 18, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, 3, video,
gift
Evelin is a very shy child, but I got her to smile
a few times. The Rocha family is desperately
poor. Evelin is 9 and her Mom is 24. You do
the math. Their "house" is made of scrap
materials and dirt floors. 4 people to a bed,
and 9 under one roof.
September 18, 2008 visit - Parts 1, 2, 3, video,
gift
Maria Esther Ventura Vargas
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
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
Bianca Mariana Velasquez Zuniga
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
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
Celia Marcelina Lopez Guzman
Celia recently got pregnant and left the
program. Being my longest sponsored child,
I'm reticent to delete any mention of her.
Thus, I leave her photos and video here for
posterity.
April 17, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5, video,
gift
Celia recently got pregnant and left the
program. Being my longest sponsored child,
I'm reticent to delete any mention of her.
Thus, I leave her photos and video here for
posterity.
April 17, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,5, video,
gift
Mildred Nicole Lopez Sique
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, 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, gift, gift2
Alma Guadalupe Mercado Sosa
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...,
gift1, gift2
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...,
gift1, gift2
Mary Grace M. Catalan
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
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
Johainy A. Morales Ruiz
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, 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, gift, gift2
Nevis Karina Machado Macea
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
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
Ashley Milena Apolinario Velez
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
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
Karilin Yohana Velasquez Yool
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,
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,
gift, gift2
Araceli A. Carroza Leon
Araceli is a charming young lady. I
thoroughly enjoyed accompanying
her, her sister, Estefania, and her
Mom for a day of shopping, arcades
and bumper cars. I gave her a
teddy bear which she promptly
named "Steve"!
July 1, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, pics, gift, home
Araceli is a charming young lady. I
thoroughly enjoyed accompanying
her, her sister, Estefania, and her
Mom for a day of shopping, arcades
and bumper cars. I gave her a
teddy bear which she promptly
named "Steve"!
July 1, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, pics, gift, home
Yulianis Paola Diaz Leal
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
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
Karelis Del C. Mercado Navarro
This bright-eyed girl loves dancing
and singing. I could start my own
dance troupe.... Karelis 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
This bright-eyed girl loves dancing
and singing. I could start my own
dance troupe.... Karelis 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
Altagracia Del Guaba Osoria
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
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
Gilma Alejandra Luna Cuyan
Like many of the children on this
page, Gilma's father is not
present. They don't say why.
She and her two sisters no doubt
keep their mother busy. She
enjoys math and drawing, in
addition to the obligatory playing
with dolls.
April 15, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, gift, gift2
Like many of the children on this
page, Gilma's father is not
present. They don't say why.
She and her two sisters no doubt
keep their mother busy. She
enjoys math and drawing, in
addition to the obligatory playing
with dolls.
April 15, 2009 visit - Parts 1,2,3,4,
video, gift, gift2
Jennevy Belir Binas
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
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
Jessa E. Tariao
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.
Gift
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.
Gift
Siomara Y. Monterroso Barillas
Siomara is child #6 from
Guatemala, although unlike the
others, she resides in the
countryside. She's the youngest
of 5 children, so it gets a little
cozy in Casa Barillas!
April 14, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 video
Siomara is child #6 from
Guatemala, although unlike the
others, she resides in the
countryside. She's the youngest
of 5 children, so it gets a little
cozy in Casa Barillas!
April 14, 2009 visit - Parts
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 video
Maria Erica Ann Gatbonton
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
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
Armae P. Encarnacion
I'm a sucker for an adorable girl
who shares my birthday. So
sue me. Armae and her three
siblings live in a one room
house with no electricity.
Maybe I can light up her life a
little. Or maybe just give her a
fighting chance at a future!
Gift
I'm a sucker for an adorable girl
who shares my birthday. So
sue me. Armae and her three
siblings live in a one room
house with no electricity.
Maybe I can light up her life a
little. Or maybe just give her a
fighting chance at a future!
Gift
Blanca E. Lara Garcia
Blanca is the second of three
girls. Fortunately, she has both
parents supporting the family.
Unfortunately, they live in rural
Guatemala. The home consists
of a dirt floor. As her pictures
attest, she has yet to smile. I
hope to change that.
April 13, 2009 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,
video, gift1, gift2
Blanca is the second of three
girls. Fortunately, she has both
parents supporting the family.
Unfortunately, they live in rural
Guatemala. The home consists
of a dirt floor. As her pictures
attest, she has yet to smile. I
hope to change that.
April 13, 2009 visit - 1,2,3,4,5,6,
video, gift1, gift2
Maila O. Mendevil
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
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
Lenin P. Gundayao
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.
Gift
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.
Gift
Daniela Criado Uribe
Daniela is the most recent addition to the
brood. A resident of Barranquilla, Colombia,
she is unimaginably poor. Five people living
on $29/month. I haven't met her yet, but
she deserves better. Hope to visit her soon
and let her know that she has a future.
Daniela is the most recent addition to the
brood. A resident of Barranquilla, Colombia,
she is unimaginably poor. Five people living
on $29/month. I haven't met her yet, but
she deserves better. Hope to visit her soon
and let her know that she has a future.
