I've often read that the age for children to leave the sponsorship program is approximately 18 years of age, if they haven't left for other reasons.  One of my sponsored children, Yeni, in the Dominican Republic, is going to turn 18 in October 2010.  I have grown to cherish her communications as she continues to tell me how thankful she is to have been sponsored.

I started sponsoring Yeni five years ago when one of my previous kids left the program.  Her first letter to me told me she aspired to be a lawyer and liked listening to bachata music and studying.  She shared with me all the kinds of places she could see such as parks, forests, rivers, beaches, the aquarium, zoo, churches, ice cream parlors and gardens.  She particularly likes going to the beach and going to the cathedral (La Basilica) in Higuey town. 

By the second letter Yeni had thought of several other things she wanted to become.  I was laughing as I realized my sponsorship had given her so much hope that she was thinking of all the possibilities she might have in the future.  With God in front, how about the military, doctor, plastic surgeon and a dancer!  Quite ambitious I must say.

She continually kept asking me for a picture of myself so she could connect with me more as a sponsor.  This seems to be quite consistent with all the children.  Yeni's love just pours from the pages of the letters she writes.  She seems to be a very giving individual which makes me even more proud of her.

I was quite surprised to find out along the way that Yeni had been congratulated for being on the main committee of her youth program at CI.  Her favorite subject a couple years ago was Social Sciences, which is also different than the other children I have sponsored.  I'm sure she's doing better in that subject than I did at her age!

Time goes by and lives change.  I was happy to notice some effect on the family as  my sponsorship progressed.  I watched as the progress reports told me Yeni has four younger siblings, her father is a bricklayer and her mother was a homemaker until three years ago . . . her mother's occupation changed to student!  I was thrilled to discover her mother was able to continue her education as well in the process.  The latest progress report earlier this year did not mention Yeni's father, but stated she was living with her mother.  This happens with so many of the families . . . the father abandons the family, or they must separate to get work, etc. 

Yeni's latest letter tells me she and her family are doing very well and she is in vocational school to get a degree in accounting and business administration.  Quite a different turn than her inital dreams, but I think this will give her a better chance at employment when she leaves the sponsorship program.

I look back, thinking of how far Yeni has come in just 5 short years, then I wonder . . . . where will she go now?  What will she do?  I wish there was a way to know how sponsored children are doing after they leave the program, but alas, I must let go.  I hope to hear from Yeni at least one more time.  All of my sponsored children are special, but Yeni has stood out more than most of the others.  Her and her family aren't the only ones who have been enriched by the experience!