Lasting impact of generosity

Sponsorship can sometimes feel like a passive activity. Despite the best of intentions, your sponsored child or elder may remain at the back of your mind until you receive a new letter or photo.

But in that instant, the communication reminds you of this very important relationship.

The words written in a letter between a sponsored friend and their sponsor, along with photos or in some instances videos, create an indelible impact.

These moments hold the potential to create ripple effects for the sponsored individual, their family and the community where they live.

Sponsorship is a gift that can take many forms. For Catherine Ruddy López Maldonado (Cathy to her friends and family), this took root in 1996 as she began her education at a Catholic school in Ecuador.

Sponsorship opened the door to her potential

At school, Cathy learned about the opportunity to participate in the sponsorship program.

Over time, she realized that sponsorship benefitted her entire family. For example, the funds helped Cathy’s stay-at-home mother, her father (a security guard), and her three siblings with household needs. Along with the purchase of shoes, school supplies, textbooks and other school-related items, the family could also use the sponsorship funds to buy food and other necessities.

In gratitude, Cathy, with assistance from her father, wrote letters to her sponsor. Each was lovingly decorated by Cathy with drawings and complemented by photographs showing her continued growth. With time, Cathy began to write her own messages.

Her parents also helped her to recognize the advantage of sponsorship and the opportunities it offered to escape poverty. Greater access to education and the ability to afford food became critical stepping stones to living a life of dignity.

“Each letter represented my gratitude to the sponsor, who without knowing me beyond the photos, was concerned about my well-being,” Cathy said.

Throughout her sponsorship, Cathy participated in activities with Unbound. This included youth workshops and the opportunity to take computer and English classes, which became a foundation for the skills that continue to benefit her work and growth today. The program also fostered the development of social skills, helping Cathy overcome her shyness to face challenges with confidence and determination.

“Although I never had the opportunity to meet her in person,” Cathy said about her sponsor, “I will always carry her words and unconditional support in my heart. As a result, I’ve grown into someone who understands and supports others.”

From scholarship to the career of her dreams

When Cathy’s time in the sponsorship program ended, she found another opportunity to become a part of the Unbound Scholarship Program while pursuing her university studies.

Through participation in the scholarship program, Cathy saw a different side of the sponsorship she once received.

“I understood the efforts and benefits behind tutoring, letter-writing workshops, Christmas and birthday celebrations.  …,” she said. “Seeing the smiles from the families and the gratitude was an experience that always filled my heart.”

Participation in the scholarship program also allowed her to achieve a long-held dream of higher education, graduating from university with an emphasis in accounting. Post-graduation, Cathy accepted a job offer for a role in the accounting department of Unbound’s program in Ecuador and has been a part of the team for almost 10 years now.

“I had received so much and now I could give back by applying what I learned,” she said. “Being able to put those lessons into practice felt incredible. I carry with me everything that they taught me, and I try to pass those lessons on.”

Sponsorship and participation in the scholarship program gave Cathy and her family the tools they needed to overcome poverty.

Cathy’s professional career has given her the opportunity to help her parents and younger siblings financially when necessary and to make improvements to her childhood home. In addition, she has also been able to purchase her first home on her own.

The support of a scholarship allowed Cathy to experience what’s possible with continued effort and to become someone who understands the importance of sharing the gift of generosity with others.

“Unbound extended a helping hand to me and my family, and thanks to that help, we were able to move forward and reach our dreams.”

Unbound Regional Reporter for Latin America Josué Sermeño contributed information and photos for this story.