Watch this video and read Melisa's story to find out how your letters can encourage your sponsored child.
The project is like her second home. “I like going to the project,” she says excitedly.
The project is a particularly special place for Melisa as she comes from a broken home. Her parents separated a couple of years ago and she rarely sees them anymore. She and her brothers and sisters live with their grandmother and Aunt Doris.
Doris used to work as a cook at the project, and is so glad that Melisa comes. “Children come in three times a week,” Doris explains. “They play, have fun, learn, get their meal, are provided with school supplies and the tutors help them with their school homework.”
For Melisa, the help that she gets through the project is especially important as no-one at home can read or write to help her with her homework.
Doris has seen the difference that sponsors of the children at the project have made. “It is so beautiful that people from another country have shown interest in my Melisa. In addition to her own family, someone else is concerned about her.”
The best thing for Melisa is when she receives letters from her sponsor. She says, “I love getting letters from my sponsor. She wrote to me on my birthday and told me that I am pretty, and that makes me feel great and happy.” Receiving words of friendship, encouragement and advice in her letters helps her to have hope, even when days are tough.