Adriana from our Ternopil site in Ukraine, has been sponsored for 8 years. She grew up in a lovely family of 14, including: six brothers and six sisters. Sponsorship ensured that Adriana completed her secondary education and complete a teaching program at a college.
Adriana is 19 now, but she has a little slip of paper that takes her back in time.
Adriana and her twin sister, Snizhana, are the eldest of a very large family of 14. “Our parents work very hard to keep such a big family, but I realize how hard it has been for them to provide for us.”
As soon as the snow melts, she and her family are out in the farm fields, where they grow a cornucopia of foods: buckwheat, soybeans, corn, beets, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumbers. “Later we cook delicious meals made with fresh-from-the-garden veggies,” she says.
Whenever Adriana looks at that draft letter to her future Chalice sponsor, she remembers how important that moment was for her, and her family.
“From that day on, my life started to change. The sponsorship program has made a great impact on my family’s life.” Along with Adriana, four more siblings were sponsored through Chalice’s Ternopil site.
“Owing to regular sponsorship support, we have had proper nutrition even in the times when our parents didn’t have any income. Foods, clothing, and school supplies helped us get our basic needs met.
“I owe my happiest moments in life to the site, which has become my second family.”
“I realize how many wonderful things I have experienced with the site and how blessed I am to be a part of the sponsorship program. Our family really appreciates sponsorship for five of us. It’s a tremendous support.”
She looks back fondly over eight years of site Christmas celebrations, especially their famous talent shows. “Whether it was a dance, a song, or poetry recitation, every performance was appreciated. These moments have become my everlasting memories.” She also “loved to receive a Christmas card from my sponsor. In return, I make my own card every year to show how much I appreciate her support.”
Adriana realized that she loved teaching children when she and her twin sister, Snizhana, volunteered at a Christian summer camp. “I adore children and know that I have chosen a career path that is right for me.” Adriana is now pursuing teaching in college. “The sponsorship program has given me a chance to pursue my dream and achieve my goal to become a teacher.”
“Chalice is a gift from Heaven. I am infinitely grateful to the founder of the sponsorship program and all donors who provide such precious support. If it wasn’t for Chalice, my life wouldn’t be so bright.”
Learn how you can help lift a child and their family out of poverty through child sponsorship at chalice.ca/about-sponsorship
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