It’s a time of mixed emotions in the community of Arroyos y Esteros, Paraguay, where residents have stepped out on our their own and graduated from Christian Children’s Fund of Canada’s (CCFC) support.
Sofía, one of the 358 sponsored children in the area, will take special memories from this time, as her sponsor created a scrapbook of memories to mark the occasion.
The sponsored child and her family were filled with emotion as they received the gift. “Thank you for the years you offered me and my family help,” the 10-year-old said in a message to her sponsor. “We are all very grateful to you forever. I thank God for giving me such a wonderful person like you.” She added: “I will always keep you in my heart and in my prayers at night.”
Sofía never met her guardian angel (as she calls her), but she and her family felt the warm wishes from Canada. “We will never, never forget that she helped us. I thank her very much; I am very grateful, very happy,” said Sofía’s mom.
The entire community has benefited from support. During the 10 years CCFC was in the community the following was achieved:
- Approximately 700 people received health and nutritional evaluation
- More than 1,490 children benefited from nutritional suppor
- Nine classrooms, libraries and child-friendly spaces were renovate
- During the past three years, more than 12,600 kits of school supplies were delivered
Overall, the program left behind youth and adult leaders who are empowered to continue life’s journey on their own.