What do our sponsor children and sponsors tell us?
Without sponsors and donors, we are unable to realize the goals of Children’s Aid. We need you to financially support as many children as possible. A completed education gives children a greater chance for an independent future. We consider ourselves fortunate that many sponsors and donors commit themselves to us for many years.
And how do the sponsor children experience the support from the Netherlands? We are happy to let them and the sponsoring parents have their say!
Children's Aid Dominican Republic has supported me since I was young. First with a contribution to eye surgery that allowed me to attend school. Then my sponsors sponsored my primary, secondary and university education. The dedication of Children's Aid has given me motivation and emotional support. Dreams really can come true. I now work in education as a math teacher.
Around 1990, we became "padrino" and "madrina" to our first sponsored child from the Dominican Republic. Many have followed. We followed them at a distance through the information we received (a nice photo or a card made by the child or the school report card). Each year a pleasant surprise. Although we greatly appreciate a good school report with positive comments, we secretly enjoy reading that our sponsor child has also been a little wanton and rebellious last year!
We support a number of projects that actually all have one thing in common: supporting children in difficult circumstances. We think it is important that children develop and learn to stand on their own two feet. Getting an education and learning social skills are very important to us. That is why we support Children's Aid. We are linked to Christel and Juan, of whom we are very proud.
For 35 years, we have sponsored children and families in two countries, including the Dominican Republic. In three impressive sponsorship trips to the DR, we saw progress each time. Meeting your sponsored child or family and making visits to the schools and projects is very valuable. We hope to remain involved with the Dominican Republic Children's Aid Foundation for a long time to come.
With the financial help of Children's Aid Dominican Republic, I completed the accounting course and am now pursuing a university degree in Accountancy. Every year I could count on having the right school supplies. I am very grateful to Children's Aid for changing my life and their contributions to the education of young people.
Through Children's Aid Dominican Republic, I was able to grow and achieve my dreams. I am now studying and have almost finished my degree in Medicine. Children's Aid is a great blessing for me. Thank you for believing that education is the key that opens the door to opportunities in villages. Thank you for believing in the youth. Thank you for believing in me!
At Children's Aid, I got my first job. The goals appealed to me so much that I have been working there for more than 20 years now. I learned the importance of helping those less fortunate. It gives me great satisfaction, when I see young people who were previously hopeless and despondent and who are now brilliant professionals thanks in part to Kinderhulp. Children's Aid is a project of hope!
For over 25 years I have been involved with Children's Aid's projects in the Dominican Republic. I visited the country several times and was able to hug the sponsored children and speak to their parents. The contacts at the schools with the teachers were always very cordial. I keep very warm memories there. What I like most is that I can give children something that no one can take away from them anymore: knowledge! That is what I like to keep doing.
Education is the key to change in society. If you can read and have access to information, then you can form your opinion and decide on your own future. I have seen with my own eyes how much these people want an education, how much they want to learn. I know my money is well spent.
