Recently, two teenage sponsors and their family visited Guatemala and the Starfish offices. They got to meet the girls they have been sponsoring for many years and their lives were changed. Following is their experience in their own words:
Nikki:
“When I heard that my family and I were traveling to Guatemala, I could barely contain my excitement. In sixth grade my teacher, Terri Leek, introduced the girls in my class to a group called Starfish One by One. We each sponsored a Guatemalan girl around our age, but this meant nothing to us at the time; simply that we were able to bake cookies and make jewelry to raise money. As the years progressed, I received letters from the girl I sponsor, Nicolasa, 20 years old, telling me what her life is like and how much she appreciates going to school. These letters began to give Starfish One by One a much deeper meaning to me, I began raising more money on my own; taking money out of my allowance and asking for donations for my birthday. Nicolasa sent me a letter explaining how school was and how she wished that she could meet me soon, sending along a woven belt that she had made for me. Then I knew that I just had to meet her in person. Over this past Thanksgiving break, I was greeted in the street of Atilan with a warm hug and a huge smile as Nicolasa showed me how she lives her life. Before going to Guatemala I imagined a tour of Nicolasa’s village, her home, and her school, all the while laughing and sharing stories. I expected her life to be challenging, but I also expected to see many similarities in our lives. My experience in Guatemala was quite the opposite than I expected, when I walked up the landslide-ruined path up to her temporary home; I was overwhelmed with shock, sorrow, and appreciation. Although similar in some ways, Nicolasa lives almost a completely different life than I do, a life where girls, especially those educated, aren’t generally favored in her community. I never expected when going to Guatemala that my family would have to try and convince Nicolasa’s father to allow her to continue school, which would give her the chance to accomplish so much more than simply weaving and cooking. When Nicolasa broke into tears after I gave her a small backpack with books I had brought from Colorado, I finally realized how much I was actually changing a life. By sending Nicolasa to High School, she is given so many opportunities I never even thought about before visiting Guatemala. Many days I had wished that I could skip school or I felt so overwhelmed by an essay that I would break down, but after seeing everything that Nicolasa endures daily, her strength inspires me to do the best I can with all of my opportunities. The girls in the Starfish Program all have unique, touching, and challenging situations, but what they all have in common is the chance to succeed. Nicolasa is family to me, and I am so grateful of Starfish One by One, which has given her the change to pursue any opportunity she wishes, not just academically but socially and mentally as well. Starfish One by One provides more than simply an education, but also life skills through mentor groups of about 15, where they are able to openly discuss issues, questions, and their future. Nicolasa will be attending college soon, and already I am so proud of her success and so grateful of what Starfish has to provide, I can’t wait to see what she will do in the future with the base that Starfish One by One has created for success.
Kiira:
“My experience with “Starfish One by One” started when I was in 6th grade. I was jealous of my sister who was already receiving letters and small gifts from the girl she sponsored. This envy and curiosity lead me to volunteering and ultimately sponsoring Karen. As I got to know a little about Karen I found out that she is a 15-year-old girl who doesn’t know her father. She lives with her mother and two younger siblings. Two uncles, who have alcohol dependencies and don’t treat her with the respect that she deserves also, live in the family compound. After corresponding with her for three years I finally got to meet her and was overjoyed. It is hard to describe their living conditions but the lifestyle there is much different and harder than ours. I was happy to see that she made the most of her situation, and shared with us her most valued accomplishments. They included ribbons she had won for basketball and academics, and photos of her in plays. She also proudly showed us around her home including the view from her roof above their kitchen. I didn’t realize that Starfish was providing Karen with much more than just schooling. The program allowed her to spend time with other girls who had similar education goals and challenges. Mentors taught them how to avoid the common pitfalls for girls in Santiago such as bad relationships and or early marriages and pregnancies, along with providing the opportunity to venture into their community and work with nonprofits of their interests. During the time we spent with Karen and her mentor I was amazed at how she was so much like me: enthusiastic, energetic, outgoing, and a natural leader. It seemed that the girls could be themselves and they had friends that they didn’t necessarily go to school with but they could still talk to. When having to leave I was sad because I had been waiting for what seemed like a lifetime to meet someone for only a brief couple of hours. But that was probably the best couple of hours in my life so far. After my trip to Guatemala I had mixed feelings. The trip was life changing and experiential but at the same time a harsh wake up from the life that I live. I was so happy to meet Karen and although I didn’t have time to walk in her shoes for very long I saw how hard she had to work for opportunities we take for granted, like school. I’m motivated to keep track of Karen and support her as she struggles to finish her education and realize her dreams.
Although the Starfish girls have many obstacles in their way to a brighter future, with the support of their sponsors, donors and mentors they are able to stay brave, strong, and optimistic. Other non-profit organizations in the area also lend a helping hand to the girls’ success. Our trip to Guatemala was a trip of a lifetime, but also an intense realization of the challenges these amazing girls are able to overcome because of the strength that Starfish One by One provides for them. Starfish One by One changes these girls’ lives and creates a stronger community, one girl at a time. “
