Karla was the middle child, sandwiched between her brothers Donavin and Adam. Luckily, she got along with them well enough, especially when they could play soccer together. They grew up with their parents, Gerardo and Silveria, in an adobo house in a central Guatemalan city served by out Luis Amigo site.
“It is a very united family with big dreams and goals,” says Sr. Romelia, our Luis Amigo site director, “they support each other, and each do their best to get ahead. Both parents fight to raise their children to give them a better future.”
Her father, Gerardo, worked as a computer technician, and his interest in IT rubbed off on his daughter. In school, computer class was always her favourite. Over time, another talent shone through – drawing. After graduating high school, she combined these two interests and aptitudes: architecture.
She spent years practicing her drawing and sketching with the sole drive of achieving a spot in an architecture degree program. Today, at 20, she’s in her second year of her undergrad, and her university recently recognized her for academic excellence in her architectural design course.
According to Sr. Romelia, Karla is “very dedicated to her studies, dedicated to what she does and passionate about her career in architecture. Despite the difficulties she has experienced…she always has a smile and a desire to get ahead.”
Karla’s luminous Nativity scene is the eleventh and final “Through My Eyes” featured artist. But if you cannot get enough of the artists, check out our limited-edition Christmas cards featuring illustrations by sponsored children from around the world.
See all the drawings at: chalice.ca/through-my-eyes