By Barbra Lencheck | Communications Officer
The words that inspired Elizabeth to imagine a future beyond her family’s limited means and expectations, and empowered her to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor, were written by her sponsor. Save the Children’s Dr. Elizabeth Bocaletti was once a sponsored child in Guatemala. This is her story.
Elizabeth grew up in a large family of modest means in rural Guatemala. She was a good student, but opportunities were limited, especially for girls. And yet, Elizabeth dreamed of becoming a doctor. In fact, she was determined to do so. Elizabeth attributes her high aspirations to the letters she received from her sponsor.
“These letters said things like, ‘You are a great girl, a good student. You will go far. You will have a bright future,’” Elizabeth remembers, “And I know that these words influenced my life – the way I understood my future. They opened my mind to new possibilities. They gave me a certain determination to make an impact on the world.”
Elizabeth did fulfill her dream, earning her MD in Pediatrics, and then a Master’s degree in Public Health. Today, Elizabeth works for Save the Children as an Advisor on our work helping children survive and thrive throughout Latin America, where she continues to make an impact on the world every day. The dream even lives on in her own children, both of whom are studying to become doctors.
Elizabeth will always treasure her sponsor’s words of inspiration and empowerment – and we thank her for sharing them, and her story, with all of us.
“Never underestimate the power of your words on the life of a child.” – Elizabeth Bocaletti, MD, MPH, Save the Children Advisor, and former sponsored child.
Beyond the goat programs, Save the Children has a long history in Guatemala. Elizabeth's story is just part of that long history of commitment.
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