Sponsor reunites with his sponsored child in Paraguay

By Niko Moniz, facilities services coordinator & Rise and Shine host

A recap of CCFC’s Rise and Shine Facebook Live series

This episode of our YouTube Rise and Shine series features child sponsor Sir Sean Madsen. The former guest promised he would return to the show after visiting his sponsored child, Marcos, in Paraguay for the second time. And, he is back. This time we sat down with him (and his guide dog, Sammy) in his hometown of Port Perry, Ont.

Here’s what you’ll see in this episode:

Sean compares his two visits to meet his sponsored child

(Watch below at 01:39 minutes)

“When one does something for the second time it’s not quite the same experience, it tends to be a little bit of a letdown. In this case it certainly wasn’t,” he said.

Sean talks about how his second trip was just as impactful and miraculous as his first. He talks about visiting Marcos’ school and even has a story to tell about the shirt he wore.

What’s new with Marcos? (Watch below at 02:21 minutes)

Marcos is taking English lessons. In fact, they hope the next time Sean visits they won’t need an interpreter.

The ruff stuff: the guide dog’s trip (Watch below at 04:19 minutes)

Sean’s guide dog, Sammy, is even more famous in Paraguay than he was the first time. The local news got hold of the story and filmed the pair entering a restaurant in a country where there are no seeing-eye dogs.

Stay tuned to the end of the show (below) for a highlight package of Sean’s trip.

See you next time!

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.

About Inspiring Stories

December 2025

My Top 5 Moments of 2025: A Year of Purpose, Passi...

Check out our CEO Fred Witteveen’s top five moments of 2025! From global impact to powerful partnerships and how we're working to create lasting change for children.

December 2025

Insider Story: We still lose babies

Discover Samuel’s powerful firsthand account from Northern Ghana, where distance puts mothers and babies at risk and how donor support is bringing lifesaving care closer.

December 2025

Our Top 5 Meaningful Gifts for 2025

Discover the Top 5 meaningful gifts for 2025 that support children, families and communities through education, safety and clean water!