I am constantly amazed by the children that come through our student sponsorship program. They are overcomers. Many of our children are first generation to attend school. Several of them are the first person in their family to learn to read. They are conquering obstacles every day.

   I stood in the hot sun talking to Hector last week. Hector is the landscaper at New Song. Two of his children are enrolled in school through our sponsorship program; his daughter Evelyn is currently in 6th grade and his youngest son, Ariel, is currently in 5th. They are top students in their classes. They are beautiful, respectful, intelligent children who are willing to work hard in order to create a better future for themselves. As I talked to Hector, he told me how proud he is of his kids (Hector and his children pictured below right). Hector always

dreamed of attending school, but was never able to study. He was the only boy in a family of ten children. Because he was the only boy, Hector was expected to work to help support his mom and sisters. He started working at a young age and was never allowed to enroll in school. Hector is a good man and father. He values education and encourages his children to study. He works hard to provide for his family. Now his two children are receiving sponsorship for school. This blessing will open doors for his children that were never opened for Hector.

"If your plan is for a year, plant rice. If your plan is for a decade, plant trees. If your plan is for a lifetime, educate children." -Confucius

    My desire is to see Chichigalpa changed over the course of generations. To see real, lasting transformation taking place in our community. Education opens a door to lasting change. Through sponsorship, our kids are dreaming of better futures for themselves. They are having doors opened for them that their parents' didn't have access to. These children are seeing the possibility of living out big, God-given dreams. They are not only dreaming of ways to improve the life of their own family, but dreaming of ways to better their entire community. The boy who wants to study medicine so that he is able to start clinics in small villages where people don't have access to medical care. The young woman studying psychology so that she can help abused children find healing. The girl who wants to study business administration so that she can create businesses and provide jobs for the large number of unemployed people in her community. These students will change their city. I believe wholeheartedly in who in the Lord has created them to be.

   If you would like to open doors to education for a child in Chichigalpa, you can sponsor a child for only $25/month. Through this gift, you will change a life, bless a family, and transform a community. You can choose a child to sponsor through our website, educatenica.org.