From no one to someone: The story of Jamaica, a World Vision sponsored child

 

“Jam, maayo ka! (Jam, you are great) is the meaning of my first name” shared Jamaica, an 18-year-old lass who hails from Sagbayan, Bohol. “My mother named that to me because she believes that I will reach great achievements someday,” she added.

 

However, a few years back, Jamaica herself doubted her capacity to succeed. She was a typical girl in a rural town. She belongs to a small family with her parents and four siblings.

 

An exceptionally smart girl, Jamaica has always been a consistent honor student. But her reserved demeanor caused her to fall short on class participation activities. According to her, she was always shy and she wasn’t eager to interact with her classmates.

 

“I felt like that was my weakness,” she discussed. “It brought so much pressure to me everytime I face a lot of people.”

 

Her hindrance eventually faded when she started being active in World Vision activities. The organization, which has been present in their community for almost 20 years, became her stepping stone to finally improve her self-confidence.

 

From out-of-town workshops to small gatherings in her village, Jamaica learned to present her ideas with confidence. She started talking infront of her peers until she became an excellent reporter in her class.

 

Jamaica also developed her leadership skills through the World Vision activities. She applied her learnings in school by becoming the president of a student organization.

 

 

“The most important thing I also learned in World Vision is to value family,” the senior high student added. “I talk to my parents when there are unresolved issues in our home. Having open communication with your family members is important.”

 

Jamaica has gone a long way of becoming a confident teenager and an inspiring leader. The thought of not achieving any goal in the future was already buried deep in her memory. She now knows that she will become great someday and live up to her name’s meaning.

 

“After 10 years, I see myself as a successful bank teller,” she claims. “I also see my parents who are happy because they are proud of me.”World Vision/February 21, 2018

 


 

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

 

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