From Struggle to Strength: How Sponsorship Empowered Engel’s Family 

By Leana Padera (Communications Graduate Trainee)

At just 13 years old, Engel’s world is full of possibilities. Living in a small village in Mangwe District, she shares a loving home with her grandmother, Ncedani—a warm and hardworking woman who affectionately calls her 'Poppy.' The nickname, given when Engel was a baby, is just one of many signs of the deep bond they share. 

Engel’s parents moved to Botswana several years ago in search of work, striving to support their children from afar. In their absence, Ncedani stepped in to raise Engel and her siblings, relying on subsistence farming to sustain the family. 

Life was not always easy, but it was always filled with love. Thanks to child sponsorship through World Vision, it is now filled with hope, too. 

When Engel became a sponsored child, everything began to change. The sponsorship helped cover school fees and supplies, and brought a sense of stability and dignity to the entire household. 

"Since 2020, we have been receiving gift notifications," says Ncedani. "Each time, it helps us do something important—like buying food or investing in things that support our family long-term." 

One of those investments was a herd of goats—ten in total. 

"For us, goats are not just animals," Ncedani explains. 

"They are financial security. They provide milk, they reproduce, and when needed, they can be sold to cover school costs or emergencies." 

Engel proudly shows off the small herd, stopping beside one in particular. "This is Gudulile," she says with a smile. "She gives the most milk, and she had twins! I love her so much." 

To Engel, the goats are more than livestock—they are a symbol of what’s possible when someone believes in you. They have taught her responsibility and brought joy to her everyday life. 

"Before sponsorship, we struggled and life was uncertain," says Ncedani. "Now, I don’t worry as much. Poppy and her siblings eat well, they are in school, and I feel supported as a grandmother." 

Engel is thriving in school and dreams of becoming a pilot one day. She sometimes writes to her sponsor, eager to show just how much the support has meant. 

"I want to make my sponsor proud," Engel says. "One day, I will say thank you for believing in me. Your support helped not just me, but my whole family."