Our supporters have helped many talented young people realize their goals.
Fifteen years ago, Gretchen was searching for an organization through which she could sponsor a low-income child. She was drawn to Children, Incorporated because we encourage sponsors to become friends with the young people they support. “Children, Incorporated provided the ideal solution,” she told us recently. “They encourage a real relationship with the child.”
Gretchen was assigned to sponsor Marcela Molina of Bolivia, whose family was struggling to pay her school’s tuition. Gretchen’s monthly sponsorship payments supplied a scholarship for Marcela, and the girl flourished academically. For several years, Gretchen and Marcela could communicate only through letters, but they formed a strong bond. Marcela is a gifted scholar, and Gretchen encouraged her to pursue all of her educational goals. In addition to supplying Marcela with standard sponsorship payments, Gretchen took the time to truly befriend her and to serve as a source of inspiration as she progressed through school.
Gretchen’s support of Marcela paid off enormously. Today, Marcela holds degrees from three prestigious universities. A licensed attorney in Bolivia, she received a law degree from the public university in Sucre, Bolivia and a master’s degree in international law from the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar in Ecuador. Last year, Marcela was a Language Fellow at Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts —Gretchen’s alma mater!—where she studied English and taught Spanish. Gretchen supported and encouraged Marcela through each of these programs.
Marcela and Gretchen were finally able to meet in person when Marcela was studying at Mt. Holyoke. It was a joyous event for the two friends. In recounting the event to Children, Incorporated, Gretchen emphasized her gratitude for the opportunity to befriend Marcela and to share in her marvelous accomplishments. “I thank Children, Inc. for providing me with the opportunity to build a strong relationship with a young person who needed a little help in realizing her dreams,” she told us. “Being Marcela’s ‘American Mom’ is both a privilege and a pleasure.”
Marcela is currently working with Children, Incorporated as a regional coordinator for our Latin American division. She is excited about taking the next step in her legal career—she hopes to practice law in the United States—and about helping other young people as Gretchen helped her. Reflecting on her years of friendship with Gretchen, Marcela recalled, “I once said to her, ‘I don’t know how I will ever pay you back for all that you have given me.’ Gretchen's reply was, ‘You will repay me when you help another person like I have helped you.’ I really want to work hard so that I can help another person and give him all the opportunities I had.”
Children at three of our West Virginia schools are enjoying
new playground equipment this fall, thanks to generous donations by poker
champion Barry "The Charity" Greenstein and his friends at the 2+2 Forum, an online poker
community. G
enoa Elementary and Dunlow
Elementary both put up large play complexes. Crum Elementary divided its funds between a new area that is set up for
picnics and outdoor projects and a second area that features slides and
bouncers. The students at all three
schools love their new playgrounds! We at CI are excited for them and grateful to Mr. Greenstein and his friends for funding this project.
