Hungry Children

By Patricia Calderón

One of the greatest satisfactions in life is giving thanks to God for blessings received, especially in the Christmas season. There are many ways of expressing gratitude, but the best of all is sharing what one has received with those who need it most.

That’s exactly what Yesenia García, a mother of two sponsored children who lives in the Realengo neighborhood of Barranquilla and who two years ago took a course in pyrography (woodburning) and painting on cloth offered to mothers by Children International, did. She has specialized in making lovely Christmas cushions.

“I did really well this year. I sold a lot of cushions, not only in Barranquilla but in other cities as well,” shares Yesenia. “That’s why I...invited 20 very poor children to come [to] my house. I used the earnings from the cushions to buy a little present to give each one on Christmas Eve.”

This past Christmas was different for Yesenia’s family, too. Unlike previous years, she was able to buy clothes for her four children and give them a nice allowance.

One of her greatest accomplishments was that at the end of last year a reseller managed to sell 15 of her cushions in the nation’s capital, Bogotá. Yesenia had to stay up all night to deliver them on time, but the important thing is that she made it.

Two years ago, Yesenia had to leave her children so she could go out and work in order to feed them. Now, thanks to her new line of work, she works in her own home and earns enough to live comfortably and still have enough left over to offer happiness and smiles to those who have nothing at Christmas.

Patricia Calderón works as Communications Coordinator for Children International’s child sponsorship program in Barranquilla, Colombia. CI helps needy children in Colombia by offering medical and dental care, educational support, housing assistance and youth programs that help develop strong community leaders.