I am 7 years old, I am a sponsored child, ID 198930-8033. I live with my mother in a very nice community where there are many good people and lots of greenery.

I am in preschool. I was born with paraplegia secondary to spina bifida and myelomeningocele, and I had an operation on my spine at birth, so I cannot walk. When it was time for me to go to kindergarten, knowing my handicapped condition, I thought the other children would not accept me. My mom was also afraid and didn't want to enroll me in kindergarten, always out of fear.

In my community, World Vision has always been present. Thanks to that, my mom was part of a training they gave, which sensitized her and she realized that I was limiting myself to a right, which is education. She learned more about the rights of children with disabilities and was very motivated, so much so that she decided to enroll me in the kindergarten in my community.

I feel very happy because now I am learning to draw, to paint, to meet more children and to talk to them. I really enjoy playing and being accepted by the other children without any rejection. I would like that other children can also be supported and that they can empower families who have children with disabilities. I am very grateful to World Vision because it changed my life. I feel included in my kindergarten and in my community.

I thank my teachers, classmates and my mother for all the support.

Thank you, World Vision!

Chasly Ohara, 12 years old, is an eighth grader. She lives in a picturesque rural community surrounded by many mountains and wildlife typical of the dry tropics. Chasly is a child who, prior to World Vision's interventions in her community, was shy and uninterested in participating with other children because there was no one to mentor her abilities. Her participation was limited to small groups of people. “Only in school did I participate in some activities, otherwise I abstained because in my community no one did anything to motivate interaction outside of school with girls and boys.”

Today, with the intervention of World Vision, her mother has managed to become a leader of one of the community-based organizations and collaborates in the development of activities for the most vulnerable children. In this way, Chasly participates in all community activities, especially in the organization and training of children and adolescents in her community.

Chasly said: “This year I have learned a lot about various topics and the ones I have liked the most are managing my emotions and my life plan. They have helped me to understand the emotions of my classmates and my siblings. I also made my life plan and put in it how I am going to achieve my dreams."

World Vision has partnered with the Ministry of Education and community leadership to organize and empower children and adolescents through the Impact Club methodology, because they are at the center of transforming a world of peace. Chasly said, “I am part of the club that was organized in my community, I am the coordinator of the logistics committee and, when there are activities at school and throughout my community, we support so that everything goes well. This has allowed me to discover my talents and has made my involvement with the community more noticeable."