September 26, 2024 | Child Sponsorship

Two children, two dreams

Two children, in two different countries, pursue very different paths with sponsor funds

By Tammy Marino

All children dream about their futures.

Regardless of what corner of the globe they call home, and even if a family’s circumstances prevent a child from attending school, or if the day is spent doing chores to keep the household afloat, children will dream and dream big. It is a tie that binds us all — inspiring us and uniting us in our shared aspirations to achieve — even when those aspirations are very different.

Like any child, 11-year-old Ireneo — the youngest of three children, living with his family in the Philippines — has some bold and brave goals. Similar to the dreams of boys his age for generations, Ireneo hopes to one day be a police officer or a professional basketball player. Meanwhile, in Guatemala, 13-year-old Edgar — the oldest of three children — dreams of one day sharing his passion for music as a piano teacher.

In some families, dreams are taken for granted as for many, education is an easy privilege and time to pursue passions is readily available. But for Ireneo and Edgar, dreams are precious — a way to lift themselves and their families out of poverty and truly fulfill their potential.

A boy, a basketball and a dream


At age 11, Ireneo’s daily schedule is fairly routine. He wakes up at 5 a.m. to brush his teeth and eat his breakfast before heading to school from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. After school, Ireneo completes his homework and projects so that he can join his friends to play basketball.

Sometimes, though, Ireneo helps to supplement his family’s income to help his parents and two sisters by cutting excess threads off shirts for his neighbor’s clothing business. He earns 1 peso (18 cents USD) for each shirt, and every little bit helps. And of course, he pitches in around the house.

Prior to three years ago, Ireneo’s mother was a stay-at-home mom, and his father was a vegetable vendor. Since 2021, to do more to support their three children, Ireneo’s mother has worked as a cook in a small restaurant, and his father works at one restaurant during the day and then joins his wife at her restaurant in the afternoon and evening. Working to survive another day is the norm in Ireneo’s town in the Philippines.

But now, thanks to his Unbound sponsor, Ireneo can dare to dream. Ireneo wants to be a policeman so he can protect his family and help his parents financially. He also loves playing basketball and dreams of being a famous NBA player like Stephen Curry. Sponsor funding has helped Ireneo’s family purchase school supplies needed to focus on his education — step one of fulfilling his bold dreams.

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Sponsored child Ireneo in the Philippines diligently tends to his homework and projects so he can pursue his dream of becoming a police officer. 

I want to be a policeman someday … to protect my family and help my parents uplift our lives from poverty.

— Ireneo, Sponsored child in the Philippines

A musical calling


On the other side of the world, 13-year-old Edgar lives with his parents and younger sister and brother in Guatemala. When Edgar was very young, he watched his mother reading newspapers and books and he wanted to do the same. Soon, a song book would ignite Edgar’s curiosity — he wanted to know how to play the musical notes.

At the time, there was not enough money to afford music classes. But as time ticked by, Edgar only became more insistent about pursuing his dream to be the best keyboard/piano player. His parents saved for half a year to finally purchase a small keyboard for Edgar to begin to play, and they found an affordable school outside their community and enrolled Edgar in music classes twice a week.

Edgar has now been studying music for two years. He is in his final year, but Edgar would like to attend for an additional two years to fulfill his newest dream — to become a music teacher.

Edgar’s father works in the fields and his mother embroiders blouses. Just eight years ago, the family had no income. When Unbound notified the family that Edgar would be receiving sponsor funding, it came as a huge relief. The funds at first went toward buying threads to allow Edgar’s mother to bring in additional earnings. Now that the children are more advanced in their studies, the sponsor dollars are used strictly for school. Thanks to the support provided through Unbound, Edgar is one step closer to fulfilling his dream.

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Edgar, sponsored child in Guatemala, is passionate about playing the piano and he hopes to one day be a music teacher.

He read a book of songs, he started to be interested in how to play the musical notes … he told us that his dream is to be the best keyboard player.

— Gladys Susana, Mother of sponsored child Edgar in Guatemala

A gift of sponsorship


The stories of Ireneo and Edgar remind us how sponsorship makes education an affordable reality, fueling children’s passion and encouraging them to reach their full potential. Learn more about how to sponsor a child today.

Unbound regional reporters Oscar Tuch and Teejay Cabrera contributed information and photos for this story.