Educate a Mexican Child Experiencing Poverty

Maria – or Lupita, as many of her close friends call her – grew up in the Álvaro Obregón Barrio of Mexico City with her mother, father and younger brother. Maria attended Christel House Mexico for 10 years. As a child, she was quiet, but flourished during her years at Christel House, working hard at her studies and becoming fluent in English. As a teenager, she worked as a nanny and a waitress to help support her family, at times making only $1.50/hour.

Maria is now part of Christel House Mexico’s Work-Study program. She will be a junior this August, and is majoring in finance. Her dream is to one day own her own business and travel the world. “I have visions of growing professionally and meetings all my goals” she says. This summer, Maria will intern in the accounting department at I.C.E. Inc. in Scottsdale, AZ. She sees this opportunity as “one step toward having a great future.”

Christel House WORKS – and Maria is an outstanding example. She did not let poverty define her. It is because of the generosity of Christel House champions, like you, that Maria’s story is possible. Thank you for your continued support of ‘Educate a Mexico Girl-Child from the Barrios.’ You are helping to transform lives.

Maria “Fernanda” is a small ten year old girl with beautiful and expressive eyes. She is a very outgoing student, always telling jokes and making her friends laugh and smile – even in the tough moments.

Fernanda lives with her mother, father and two sisters. Her father is an alcoholic and her mother is unable to work because she spends most of her time caring for Fernanda’s little sister, Natalia, who suffers from dwarfism.

Fernanda has attended Christel House since she was in the 1st grade. Since joining the school, Fernanda’s teachers have seen a notable improvement in her efforts and academic performance. She is now a member of the school choir and is a part of the writers program where she produced an original book.

She greatly appreciates the kindness of her Christel House teachers, but has a particular bond with Miss Ingrid, the psychologist. “She showed me how special life is and how to control my emotions.”

When Fernanda grows up, she wants to be a comedian or a doctor in order to help her sister. “I want to be a comedian and artist, also a writer. I have it in my veins. I love making people laugh because in my house we are really funny.”

Because of supporters like you, Christel House is a place that girls, like Fernanda, can truly reach their potential. “In Christel House they taught me how to climb the mountain of success and I´m not going to get off of it.”

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