Starting My Journey
Years ago I was browsing the web and found a website that had children to sponsor in other countries. I wasn’t too sure, I never did anything like that before. I researched the company very thoroughly because I wanted to make sure it was a legit company. The time came and I decided to go further. I sponsored two children in Mexico. Through the company you can write letters and send gifts. With each gift, the company would send photos of what was purchased. New clothes, food, and supplies were purchased with the money that I sent. I was amazed at how much could be purchased with the money that I spent. Each time I would send money I would receive an appreciation letter from my sponsored children. Years after sponsoring and writing letters, I decided it was time to visit. I submitted a request through the company to travel to spend a day with them. The company has to contact the families, centers, and start doing background checks on the travelers. Once everything cleared I started browsing for hotels and airline tickets.
Going Out of My Boundaries
I was starting to get nervous. I had traveled on a plane before, but never experienced going out of the country. No one would go with me and I decided that I would go by myself. Boarding the planes I was very nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Going somewhere unknown and not knowing what to expect, can make you very nervous.
Meeing My Sponsored Families
A hundred things run through your mind. Will my sponsored children like me? What will they think about me? Do you think they have a different image in their mind than when they see me? What if I say something wrong? I opened the door at the hotel and I was met with love. Everyone loved me so much and they all wanted photos. I brought gifts for the kids and you could tell they really enjoyed it. We talked for a bit and went to the zoo. After the zoo we went to a nice restaurant. Everyone looked so nervous and you could tell they probably never been to a restaurant before. When it was time to say goodbye, it was very difficult. I ended up almost crying on the way back home. Imagining leaving them behind and their families in the condition they were in. But I knew the company would take care of them and I was going to have even more to write. This experience really changed both their life and mine.
A Change in My Life
After that first meeting, I continued visiting Mexico with a friend. My mindset had changed to always think about others may be less fortunate than me. Some people in Mexico have nothing, except love. Work is very difficult and pay wages are very small in amount. My heart is for the people in Mexico and there is not a day that I don’t like about Mexico and my sponsored children.