Meet Silvana
Aged 10, Colombia
Silvana lives with her mum, step-dad, step-brothers and step-sisters. They live in a banana growing zone and enjoy the beauty of the area. Silvana’s step-dad earns less than the minimum wage, and so they find it difficult to cover the family’s needs on this income. Silvana’s mum hopes to complete her studies so that she can also find some work. Their family home is made of cement block walls, with a tin roof and cement floor. There is no kitchen or bathroom. They wash their dishes in a bowl on a table in the backyard. There is no access to drinking water at home.
By being part of the Stand by Me sponsorship programme with access to the Emmanuel Care Centre Silvana will be able to receive academic help, nutritious meals and health checks among other benefits.
Silvana’s favourite subject at school is the Spanish language. She enjoys school and meeting up with friends. She is an affectionate, kind, and respectful young girl. She loves to draw, read, play cops and robbers, and has a doll which she loves called Ana. She loves the colour pink, and her favourite food is plantain with chicken rice. She hopes to be a doctor one day.
Where Silvana lives
The gulf between the haves and the have-nots in Colombia is alarming. Decades of civil war and conflict have resulted in a country plagued by violence and murder. For six million children deep in poverty, a lack of educational opportunities and malnutrition is an everyday reality. Children have severe health issues worsened due to not being able to afford medical treatment. Many children suffer from psychological problems as a result of neglect, abuse and violence experienced in their homes.
We established a care center in 2015 to support families through educational provision, meals, counselling, training and housing support. Every day, our children come to our care center eager to learn, play and receive emotional support.
Why Stand by Me?
What you receive
When you sponsor Silvana you will receive a pack in the post with her story and photo. Every year you will receive an update about her progress, a new photo and at least one communication from her.
Real relationship
We know our kids love to receive your emails and write back so we encourage you to write as many emails as you like, along with photos and birthday gifts to develop a genuine relationship.
Not sure yet?
Ask us anything. We’ve helped sponsors change 1000s of kids’ lives, and we know it can be a big decision. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
