Andy is eleven years old and has many, many enthusiasms.
“l like to study a lot, I’m good at math, and I like to play soccer,” he begins as his list of interests and aptitudes. His zeal also extends to cereal with yogurt, helping his mother cook (and eat) lasagna, and anything to do with Christmas. “Also, in my studies,” he adds, “I was an outstanding student.”
September is a big month for Andy. It was this month last year that he learned he had a Chalice sponsor through our Guadalupe site, which operates in his city of La Paz, Bolivia.
“In September my mother was informed that I was sponsored,” he remembers, “and I was very happy to know that I will have help to move forward.” Andy’s grade six teacher also told his class that September is a month to celebrate – it’s the month of the student, and the month of spring.
Andy was already comfortable at the sponsor site because his big sister Alyah is also sponsored. He would come along to the site-wide Christmas parties. Unsurprisingly, Andy “really likes the activities they do at Christmas.”
When Alyah’s sponsor gave her a gift of special money, she used it to buy paints and markers, which she shares with Andy. He likes making art, especially using yellow, the most cheerful colour, in his opinion.
Inspired by her generosity, Andy says, “now that I am also part of the sponsorship [program] I will share it with my family. When we go shopping, l like to take the shopping cart with me so I can carry my purchases.”
He approached his Through My Eyes with no less passion than any of his other undertakings. When asked to illustrate ‘sponsorship,’ he explains:
“My drawing represents that there is a person who takes care of me and protects me from afar. I am very grateful to have been sponsored. All the help they give me I will use to improve my diet and studies.”
He doesn’t comment on his choice of shirt colour – yellow – but we suspect that it’s not a coincidence.
See all the drawings at: chalice.ca/through-my-eyes