What was your childhood dream?
“I want to be a doctor and start the first clinic in my community,” 13-year-old Nahomy, in Honduras , confidently answers.
Achieving this dream won’t be easy. Nahomy lived with her grandparents on their farm for six years after her father migrated for work. While he was gone, she learned how to grow strawberries, coriander and squash. She watched as her grandfather knocked ripe lemons down from trees and learned from him how to harvest coffee.
Through the World Vision Child Sponsorship programme, Nahomy was able to learn other skills too, including taking part in child protection training.
Education means I can take care of family and community, especially my grandparents and father who have sacrificed so much to give me opportunities.
Becoming a beacon of hope
Her history gives her empathy for the social and spiritual needs of children. And once her father returned, she drew on the strength of her family’s love, to be a beacon of hope for others.
“That’s how I got interested in running for youth mayor. There were three candidates – all girls – and I was the youngest. We went around to different local schools to campaign. My father would drive me,” says Nahomy.
Her hard work paid off – she won twice as many votes as other candidates and at 13, she wears a sash signifying the office she holds as Youth Mayor.
Strengthening community through service
She is already a child rights advocate and community organiser. She encourages her peers to build up their community through service.
Nahomy faces difficult subjects head on, campaigning against early marriage and teen pregnancy. When children drop out of school, she goes with the municipal child protection officer to talk to their parents and help them find solutions.
Nahomy cherishes the Bible she received from World Vision, and she loves reading passages to her grandfather. Through the strength of her family’s love and the support of her sponsor, teachers and mentors she continues to make change in her community.
“I’ve been sponsored for four years. It makes me feel good to get a letter. They ask me what I want to do in life and give me ideas about the future,” says Nahomy.
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