When you look back at how far you’ve come, you begin to recognize the people who helped you get there. Love and support can be the reason a child believes in themselves, and both a mother’s love and a sponsor’s generosity have shaped the trajectory of Brandon’s life.
At just 21, Brandon is navigating the challenges of medical school, far from home in Guatemala’s bustling capital city. But as he embraces his adulthood and career, he reflects on the events — and people — who brought him there.
The first event was when he was six years old: he was sponsored through Chalice’s Luis Amigó site. The first person was Maritza, his mother.
“I come from a household led by a single mother, a strong woman who, with effort and love, has carried our family forward,” Brandon says. “Despite all the difficulties, she never stopped supporting me, and her example has been a constant source of motivation.”
Brandon says that when was first sponsored, he had “no idea how much of an impact that support would have on me and my family over the years.” But, he adds, “from the very beginning, [Chalice] wasn’t just a name or an institution—it was a true helping hand.”
That hand has been steadfast for 15 years now. He can still feel it 200 kilometres away from his beloved family. His sponsor’s “unwavering support and generosity” has “been a seed of hope and opportunity planted in my life. Every time I receive sponsorship support, it means much more than financial aid—it represents hope, commitment, and selfless love.”
He thanks his sponsor “for instilling in me values such as gratitude, perseverance, faith, and service.
“Everything I have learned, and everything I will achieve in the future, will always carry a part of you. Thank you for believing in me!”
Brandon understands that his achievements are not his alone, but are rooted in the support of many people, both near and far. He is so thankful for the love and support that guided to where he is today.
Sponsor a child and plant a seed of hope and opportunity, giving them the chance to attend and stay in school.