Meet Sonia!

Sonia, born on July 27th, 1996, is an original VISEDAL scholar. She is the oldest of the 5 children in her family, all of whom have joined VISEDAL. Leonardo, Isaac, Nadiuska, and Brad Dylan all look up to Sonia, who often was left in charge of looking after them when they were younger. In the spring of 2011, Sonia gave birth to her son, Kenny. Since the birth of her son, it has been a struggle for Sonia to succeed in school, but she is fighting to succeed. She now has a lot of responsibilities, but she realizes what she has to do in order to be a good mother, daughter, sister, and student. Her goal is to work really hard, raise her son in a good home, and help her mother.  

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January 2015

Hello. How are you doing? And how did your Christmas go? I spent mine with my family and it was great. I’m very thankful for God and for you, who have helped me do well and continue with my life, with my family and my son. I am very thankful for your help. I love you.

August 2014

This year has been different for Sonia, and that is a very good thing. She has truly started to show a desire to not only succeed in her life, but to love others through that. Sonia’s relationship with her mom has improved drastically this year, and she has been a much better mother for Kenny these last few months. She has decided to stop running away and has been trying to work and study hard while also being a good mother, sister and daughter. We are so encouraged by the choices Sonia has been making lately. We are with her in all that she does, but we made it clear that in order to be part of the program she would have to make some changes in her life. She responded in a way that went above and beyond our expectations, and we could not be more excited for her. On our recent July volunteer trip, Sonia was a leader and great example for the other scholars to follow. As she continues to mature, we thank you for being a part of her life. 

January 2014

Sonia finished a very difficult year for her. She experienced some challenges with her family and was unable to finish her school year. However, VISEDAL staff has spent a lot of time working with her, and she is ready to make the 2014 school year a success. Sonia really wants to be a good mother, sister, daughter, and student, but she often struggles to make the right decisions towards a better future. Sonia has a lot of potential, and we are hopeful that she will grow into a mature leader in her family. She is very strong, and she likes to be in control of her environment. She is learning how to channel her bold personality to make positive decisions that will change her future. VISEDAL is standing by her as she raises her son, and we hope that she will continue to put in the effort required to be a VISEDAL scholar this year. 

Sonia's Video for her Sponsors, November 2013

May 2013

Hello. How are you all? I hope that you are doing well. First, I spent my summer vacation with my family and it went well.

I have studied a lot and I want to thrive for my family and my son. I would like to be a cashier. I want to use all of my might to continue doing well. The only think I ask for is your trust because I am going to study a lot so that you all can be proud of me. I ask that you continue to help me. I love you all a lot. I would like you to help me with my son and love him a lot. Take care. I love you very much.

September 2012

Hi, how are you? I hope everyone is doing well. First I want to thank you all, and thank God who keeps you well. I’ve been working and studying a lot so that you feel proud of me. I want to study hard to be able to help my family and lead my siblings so that they can grow up to do big things. I hope to be successful and that you all will always be with us. I love you so much. May God bless you all and keep you.

April 2012

Hi, how is everyone? I hope you all are well. I'm writing to tell you that I am very happy and content to have spent time together with you in December. I am always praying that God would protect and take care of you all. Classes have started, and I am going to school on Sundays. I really like my new school. I love you all very much and I hope that you come back soon. I always pray that in all your travels God would guard you and bring you safely. God bless you all.

August 2011

Sonia definitely has a free-spirited personality. Doing well in school may not appear to be a priority for her, but she knows that it is important. After missing the first July English lesson, she realized that she should at least attempt to participate in the next one. Sonia told us that she wants to buy a house for her mother and give it to her for Christmas. She also said that she wants to do well in school.

February 2011

Hi, how is everyone? Well, here we are all doing well. I just wanted to tell you thank you for your last visit. It was really great to me to see you all again. I had really missed you. Now we have the supplies ready to start school. I'm really happy that my little sister Nadiuska will be starting classes too. I'm always helping my mom with my siblings, and everything is getting better. See you soon!

November 2010

Hello, everyone! I've been thinking a lot about all of you. I've really been taking care of my brothers during this rainy season. The rains are really strong and it's up to me to make sure nothing happens to them. I've had good and bad grades in my classes, but I keep moving forward even if it's a little tough. I'm trying to be more of a participant in the school activities and have better behavior in class. I'm really thankful for you all and I want to see you really soon!

August 2010

Hello to all my friends! How are you? I hope you're all doing very well, and that God blesses you. Now I'm back in school, but I had a great time with all of you. I love that you visit us and wish you would stay with us longer. I miss you very much. I love all of you. You're all part of my family. We are preparing in school for all of the activities that are coming this month and next. I love dancing in the cultural activities. My teacher says I dance really well. I'm also trying to behave better in school and attain higher grades. I send my greetings to everyone over there! I'm in very good health and very happy to have received letters from you and to have spent time with you again. See you soon! With much love, Sonia.

May 2010

Hi everybody! I would like to know, how are you? I am very well. I few weeks ago I was sick with a cold, but I went to the doctor and now I'm better. I'm so happy to hear that you all are coming soon. I miss you so much. I'm doing better in school. My teacher says that I'm behaving better. That's because now I'm doing whatever is possible to keep moving ahead and have better grades. Now I'm studying in the mornings with my little brothers. I like it better because now I have more time in the afternoons to do my homework and help my mom in the house. Now I'm going to have better grades than before. I want to thank you for always having us in your thoughts. You are always in my prayers, and I thank the Lord for all of you. I have a lot of love for you.

March 2010

Sonia has been going to school in the afternoons and has shown great improvements on her conduct and behavior in the classroom. She has a strong desire to keep improving academically, but struggles with being a little hyperactive in school. She has had some difficulties particularly in mathematics, but she is working hard to keep up with her classmates.

January 2010

Sonia is very competitive and during the last month of school she really worked hard to pass her grade. She had to improve in a couple classes, but was able to do so with ease. She is really happy to have the opportunity of being a part of VISEDAL and is excited and determined to get better grades in 2010. During break she helps her mom cook and take care of the newborn baby.

October 2009

Sonia has been paying much better attention in school as of late, and has had less distractions. She has received good grades, even while spending a lot of time watching out for her younger siblings. Esmir took her out to get new shoes not too long ago, and she was very excited. Her teacher says that she has noticed much better behavior from Sonia, and that she actively participates in class and is very healthy.

August 2009

Sonia has done very well in school over the past weeks. As usual, she has done well in caring for her younger siblings. She is also participating in her school band. She hasn't displayed the best behavior in school, but is working hard and has managed to pass all of her classes. She primarily struggles in mathematics, but is always trying to improve. Sonia was also sick for a while with a cold, but Esmir was able to get her some medication and she's been much better.

June 2009

Sonia has done well in school. She is excited to be changing schools soon to be able to study with her "cousin-sister" Ninoska. She is so close to her cousin that she refers to her as her sister. Hopefully this change will encourage her to keep striving in school and also allow her to help her older cousin stay positive.