Transforming lives through sponsorship

“Recently, I have managed some money to support a girl to get her admitted in college and helped to pursue her higher education. She was introduced to me through World Vision’s Sponsorship Program. She was doing well in school, but could not continue her study due to financial hardships after dropping out from World Vision’s program. I have learnt this spirit from World Vision to help those, who really need other’s support to help them to grow and to be self-sufficient. Sponsorship has changed my life. Sponsorship gave me a strong foundation in education, something I could never have gotten without help. Sponsorship also gave me hope, knowing that someone cared about me. It also helped me see the value of helping someone in need” - Kakoli, former Sponsored Child, World Vision.

Though Kakoli grew up belonging to a marginalized community and confined by poverty, she still dream big. Today, the 22-year –old former sponsored child is heading to her graduation program in Geography from a local college in Mymensingh district. From childhood she has a great passion to study and helping people, who are in great need. But the conditions at home were poor.

“From childhood I could not pursue my dreams  because we didn’t have enough money. All of my hopes became scattered”, says Kakoli. When she discovered that World Vision  is offering educational support to children like her, she was ecstatic and enrolled in World Vision’s Child Sponsorship programme under Phulpur Area Program, when she was in grade three.

As well as participating in Sponsorship programme, Kakoli received educational support with providing note books, and school fees to help her in completing school.  Besides, she also received mosquito nets and personal hygiene kits like bucket. Also, she was the vice-president of the Central Child Forum under Phulpur AP and attended different skill development trainings on leadership and life-based skills.  More, with having a cow as a livelihood support, her family began earning a better income after her parents started in selling milk. 

Kakoli received a cow as a livelihood support from World Vision and my parents with increased income and maintain family expenses. But what’s the best, I was always happy to receive gifts and letters from my sponsor every year. All those were a great source of joy, happiness and inspiration to me to stay connected with my goal”, she added. 

“Thank you World Vision, I could not reach here on my own, Now I can pursue the career I want. You gave me the support to complete my studies. There has been a lot of progress in my village and community because of you, Today I am self- reliant and feel confident;  I am living my dream of being a police officer”, says Kakoli.

Story and Photo by Xavier Sku