Josiel and his 3 siblings grew up in a poor barrio in Brazil. Everything began when one of his siblings was malnourished and received nutritional care from World Vision. His mother Aldemira, fell in love with the work and never looked back. She was trained through the different programs offered by World Vision in her community. She now works as a handcraft instructor, teaching students to produce and sell jewellery using simple and local material, such as seeds. Aldemira says “My children’s lives would be very difficult if it was not for (World Vision). They learn a lot of good things there. They keep everything inside them and see the world in a different way.”

Aldemira is especially proud of Josiel, now 18, and a former sponsored child. Josiel’s passion for politics and higher studies motivated him to study hard and he became the first in his family to attend University. “Since my childhood I participate in activities…I am very thankful for what (the community) did for me. ..I’m full of dreams. I want to follow an academic career, I want to get (a) doctorate. And I want one day to work in the UN. Through you (sponsors) a lot of lives are being transformed. I don’t know if I would be here if it wasn’t for you.”