Growing up in a cardboard box

Tuesday 27th August 2024

Childhood memories often paint a vivid mosaic of our early years. For many, these recollections are filled with joy—games played under the sun, secret dens crafted from blankets, and the mischievous tricks shared among friends. Yet, for others, these memories are tinged with shadows, marked by experiences of bullying, rejection, abuse, and loss.

While we can't rewrite the past, no matter how much we might yearn for different circumstances or choices, we are left to embrace what has shaped us. All we can do is strive to make the best of what lies ahead, using the lessons from our past as stepping stones for a better future.

When I speak to children about my own childhood, I share how enduring adversity, neglect, and suffering has given me a deep empathy for those enduring similar hardships. Although I can never fully grasp the unique experiences of every child, given their distinct circumstances, I can extend a compassionate offer of understanding. I aim to convey to a child what I imagine I would feel if I were in their situation. I desire to walk alongside them in spirit and offer my perspective, grounded in my own journey and faith in a God who does precisely the same.

Establishing a connection between my own life experiences and those of a child is a cornerstone of our mentoring programme. Each mentor receives training to step into the shoes of the child they aim to guide, to really understand what it would be like to be that child. For many, this involves numerous listening and learning sessions, genuinely hearing the child's story. It also means visiting their homes to understand the unique environments in which these children live. This holistic approach ensures mentors can offer genuine support rooted in an authentic appreciation of the child's world.

This week, my thoughts have been deeply stirred by the beautiful transformation I witnessed in a child attending the mentoring centre in Guatemala City.

The first time I saw Jesus, he was just a year old, living in a cardboard box on the street while his mother worked nearby. He had fallen asleep against the edge of the box, which was buckling under his tiny weight. The photo I took of him captured an image that brought profound sadness each time I looked at it. Yet, it also served as a poignant reminder of my calling—to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children like him.

Jesus is about to celebrate his tenth birthday, and this milestone will drastically differ from any he has experienced. While his living situation remains unchanged—still sharing a single bed with his parents and brother in a tin shack no larger than the bed itself—there has been a profound shift in his perspective.

The true transformation lies in his newfound understanding of his own worth. No longer does he see himself as worthless, as he once did. He now knows that he is valued and that someone genuinely cares about him. This revelation has brought about a beautiful change in his outlook on life, illuminating his world in ways that no physical change ever could.

The afternoon sessions at the mentoring centre were in full swing when Jesus stepped away from the games to converse with Sony, the Director of the SKDGuatemala project. With a heavy heart, Jesus shared his feelings of being overlooked for mentorship, attributing it to a perceived lack of value in himself—a sentiment rooted in his past experiences.

This candid moment highlighted Jesus's deep emotional struggles and underscored the importance of mentorship in reshaping a child's sense of self-worth.

As Sony listened to Jesus and delved into the reasons behind his feelings, an idea began to form. Could he extend his mentorship to another child? When Sony offered to mentor Jesus, it took a while for the offer to register with him fully. Slowly but surely, the realisation that someone had noticed him and was willing to walk alongside him unlocked a profound emotional response.

For the first time, Jesus felt truly loved and accepted. This newfound connection sparked a transformation in him. Although his external circumstances remained unchanged, his outlook shifted dramatically. With this change in perspective, his true self began to blossom, revealing a boy who was now full of hope and potential.

He was no longer the child confined to a box. A helping hand enabled him to break free from the constraints that had defined his life for many years. Now, thanks to your unwavering support, he is free to experience life from a refreshing new perspective, one filled with acceptance, hope and opportunity.

There are countless other children like Jesús, whose lives hang in the balance, awaiting the transformative power of a mentor willing to give just one hour a week. Your sponsorship of the mentoring programme will provide the necessary resources and fund special activities that create unforgettable, positive childhood memories.

Your support doesn’t just change lives—it breathes new life into futures that once seemed hopeless. Thank you for making such an incredible difference.