I was compensated by World Vision for my time in writing this post. All opinions are my own.
Poverty is a complex problem and there isn’t just one solution. I believe we can eradicate poverty when all of us come together and focus not only on helping those that have been affected by poverty but by tackling the issues that create poverty in the first place. One way that we can help break the cycle of poverty in communities is through child sponsorship. Through my time overseas, I have heard many stories of children who have depended on a sponsorship to just be able to stay with their families and not go to an orphanage. All children deserve to stay with their families.
World Vision has been around for over 60 years working alongside children, families and communities to provide tools, training and hope so they can become self-sufficient. Not only does a child become sponsored through World Vision, but the child sponsorship helps their community as a whole. Depending on each community’s needs, a sponsored child—and his or her entire community—benefit from things like clean water through new or renovated wells, school fees and supplies, better education due to restored schools and teacher training, improved nutrition due to agricultural training, as well as healthcare clinics and immunizations. When you help a community, you can create lasting change in generational poverty.
Child Sponsorship: Meet Rocio
Rocio Lopez Orosco, 11, in Colomi, Bolivia. She is a newly sponsored child (since 2015). World Vision has been in her community just since 2010. “We have no light. No electricity. This is how we live,” Rocio says.
Despite Bolivia being a country rich with resources, it is still one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Around 7 percent of the population is unemployed, and 45 percent is below the poverty line. Bolivia also has the highest income inequality in Latin America.
Rocio’s family currently does not have access to clean water at their home. They can not afford electricity. Large rocks on their tin roof prevent it from flying away in the wind.
World Vision’s long-term work in Colomi, Bolivia is in the early stages. Over the next 10-12 years, through sponsorship, World Vision will help feed malnourished children, improve access to clean water, provide vocational training, provide nutrition training, and support schools with training and materials. -Author/photographer: Eugene Lee
![Child Sponsorship: Sponsored child 11-year-old Rocio receives a package from her sponsor in Colomi, Bolivia. Packed with Love Photo Series (Photo 6 of 6): From thousands of miles away, a letter and a package mean the world to a sponsored child. Does a sponsored child really get the letters and packages sent? The answer: Yes! We followed one package from Seattle to Colomi, Bolivia, to see what it looks like for a child on the receiving end. *** See WVUS magazine: https://magazine.worldvision.org/stories/packed-with-love *** *Photo 1 of 6: D035-0258-012* World Vision Bolivia Sponsorship Facilitator Silvana Herrera (right) just told 11-year-old Rocio that she now has a sponsor, and her sponsor sent her a package all the way from Seattle. Recounting the moment, Rocio says: ìShe [Silvana] came in and said, ëI have a big surprise for you.í And I said, ëWhat surprise was it?í So, she gave me the surprise and she said, ëThis is your surprise!íî *Photo 2 of 6: D035-0258-014* ìAnd then, I opened the bag and I started looking for an envelope. I found an envelope and in it there was a letter, and there was the picture, there was the photograph of my new sponsors. So, I felt very happy.î *Photo 3 of 6: D035-0258-015* Rocio reads the letter from new sponsor, Karen. The letter shares about her family and where they live. In the letter, Karen asks Rocio, ìDo you have any siblings? Do you attend school? What subjects do you like? I hope you write to us.î *Photo 4 of 6: D035-0258-019* After reading the letter, Rocio immediately wanted to write Karen back. ìSister Silvana said I can write a letter to my sponsor,î Rocio says. ìSo, I picked up the notebook I found in the package and I started writing a letter to answer to [Karen]. And Iím going to call it a diary and Iím going to write in that diary every time she writes to me. So, Iím going to keep track of everything she writes to me and everything I answer to her and sheís going to be able to read it.î *Photo 5 of 6: D0](https://busy-mommy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/D035-0258-022.jpg)
How to Sponsor a Child
The World Vision sponsorship allows for a one-on-one relationship with your sponsored child and you will receive a packet with photos and eventually a letter! You even have the chance to send emails, cards, photos, packages and more, or even visit them in person!
Sponsorships are $39/month and for every $1 donated it equals $1.30 in impact thanks to grants and product donations. You can make a difference in the lives of children and their communities!
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