Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.
Green is a special colour for the month of July in the Church, symbolizing the kind of hope we see in a sprouted seed when the snow finally melts away.
Green also reminds us of new beginnings, and how we can start fresh. This week, our top 5 “New Beginnings” photos celebrate all the beautiful beginnings that shape us into who we are.
#5: New Life
“In children we have a great charge committed to us.” – St. John Chrysostom
The birth of a child signals new beginnings for everyone. The baby gets to discover the beauty and joy of life, as the mother and father tackle parenthood. God has a plan for every child, and every child deserves love and dignity.
#4: New Challenges
Though struggles can weigh us down, they can also make us stronger. Children at schools near our sponsor site in Santiago, Chile, switched to virtual learning last year as COVID-19 cases rose.
It was challenging, but the children displayed newfound strength as they worked through the lockdowns.
“Our children have proven to be strong and resilient,” writes Sister Maria of the Santiago sponsor site. “Gradually they have become accustomed to these new routines of study, there is still a long way to go and many challenges to achieve, but with perseverance and fortitude everything can be achieved.”
#3: New Skills
In Bolivia, it’s still uncommon for women to become mechanics. But that’s slowly changing.
Francisca’s husband Peter is a trained mechanic, and opened up his own shop near our Guadalupe site in La Paz. He then taught Francisca the technical and office skills needed to become his business partner.
Since then, she’s graduated from entrepreneurship training, and the couple has added changing tires to their business. Soon, they plan to expand their shop even more!
Mechanics are growing in popularity as careers for women, and adding skills to your repertoire can be the start of something big.
#2: New Opportunities
Yhailin’s dedication and ambition have taken her all the way to university studies at university in La Paz, Bolivia. She’s been supported by a Chalice sponsor since she was young, and the Hope For My Future program has allowed her to study foreign commerce.
Her studies have given her new opportunities, and she’s even completed a work internship this past year!
#1: New Friends
We’ve all made a friend who’s completely changed the course of our lives. New friends are among the life’s greatest gifts, and the best part? There are endless friends in the world to make!
Follow Chalice on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates from our sponsor sites, impact stories, and more! Be sure to check back next week for another Photo Friday.