Youth ambassador helps his community during pandemic

Paraguay has been in lockdown — to reduce the spread of COVID-19 — since March, and Luis Ferreira (above, centre) was troubled by the immediate need he saw in his community, which is sponsored through Children Believe.

The 22-year-old knew people who make money finding casual or informal work would be struggling to feed their families.

He felt compelled to do something, especially since he’s one of seven Children Believe global youth ambassadors committed to creating positive change in their hometown. “I didn’t know how to help, but I knew about the need in my community,” he confided, as his voice broke. “It was [heartbreaking] to see how people didn’t have anything to eat. My heart called me to help, and I instantly volunteered.”

Luis joined a Children Believe team delivering more than 1,000 food and household hygiene kits to families of sponsored children in his community where parents or caregivers are informal workers, self-employed or unemployed. “The reaction of the people was incredible,” he recalls. “They said: ‘Thank you! Thanks to you, I will be able to eat today.”

Luis was deeply affected by the people he encountered, many of whom weren’t thinking of themselves through the difficult time.

He met an elderly man who was praying for the good health of his grandson’s sponsor just before Luis arrived with milk, sugar, noodles, rice, flour, salt, beans, oil and soap. “It touched our hearts deeply,” the volunteer said, noting the impact on the emergency-response team.

That kind spirit extends to the community where neighbours safely shared what they had with those who had nothing.

The ambassador is grateful he could help hand out many of the 2,800 kits delivered throughout Children Believe programs in Paraguay. He’s looking forward to the next opportunity to assist, as the organization and its local partners — Fundacion Alda, Global Infancia, and Crecer — determine the next stages of support in response to the pandemic.

You can help today. Support COVID-19 relief, and donate an emergency food kit through the global #GivingTuesdayNow campaign. 

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.