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Dulce (30) is a mother of four — Gregory (18), Scarlet (15), Steisy (8), and Jesús (7). Gregory and Scarlet are both sponsored children. Through child sponsorship, Dulce participated in a parenting school led by Food for the Hungry, which empowered her to change the trajectory of her children’s future.

Dulce and her husband Juan are raising their four children in the community of Solares de Villa in the Dominican Republic.

In Solares de Villa, Dominican Republic, high school dropout rates and teen pregnancies plague the community. Dulce’s family was no exception. Her children couldn’t read and they struggled emotionally and academically.

Before her involvement with FH, Dulce’s home life was chaotic. The children were unmotivated to do household chores and were not doing well emotionally, physically, or in school. Most notably, the older children couldn’t read.

Although she gained solace through seeking the Lord and learning about salvation, Dulce felt powerless to help her children. She felt that her life lacked purpose, and she didn’t know what she could do to change it.

Dulce joined the parent school, which was established through the partnership between child sponsors and FH. The parent school equips and empowers parents and caregivers with training to improve their daily interactions with their children. This training also promotes children’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills which has a positive ripple effect in all areas of their life – academic, social, and interpersonal. Additionally, the parent school prepares children to become future leaders. This shows how child sponsorship can positively impact whole families and entire communities.

Dulce’s perspective on education and development notably changed from her training at the parent school. She eagerly applied what she learned at home and has witnessed an impactful change in her children’s academic and social development. She was able to apply this in her children’s reading skills through the “art of storytelling” and use of colorful illustrations. Remarkably, in a short time, Dulce’s children have made progress in their schoolwork and her teenage children have greatly improved their reading skills. And, her husband, Juan, and children now regularly do household chores and share more responsibility.

Dulce has also found a new purpose in life — she eagerly participates in a group for leaders who are mothers and is also a volunteer in a local mental health group.

Dulce hopes for a better future for her family. She dreams of her children becoming exemplary individuals who strive to please God. Now, she is eager to participate in more workshops and wants to see her family continue to learn and grow.

She has the dream for the Solares de Villa community to improve their youth engagement. She also hopes to see the community grow, offer technical courses, create job opportunities, and make new recreation spaces.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.”

Dulce’s story is a powerful example of how child sponsors help FH partner with local communities so parents have the skills to raise their children to reach their full potential. Child sponsorship opens doors to a better future for children, extending to their families and communities challenged by poverty.

FH. Child Sponsorship Opens Doors to a Better Future for Families. July 26, 2024.

https://www.fh.org/blog/child-sponsorship-opens-doors-to-a-better-future-for-families/