Irma's Path

The second youngest of 13 children, 12-year-old Irma dreams of one day becoming a doctor for the sole purpose of helping her parents have better health as they age.

But educational opportunities have not always been attainable for Irma’s family. Like many children growing up in indigenous families in rural Guatemala, most of Irma’s older siblings were only able to complete sixth grade before leaving school to work for income that could help sustain the family.

But, thanks to Unbound sponsorship, Irma’s story will be different — sponsorship has given her the chance and the courage to make it so.

Sponsorship of Irma and one of her sisters is ensuring that the younger children in the family will have the opportunity to attend school beyond the sixth grade.

And on days when the family can’t afford bus fare, determined Irma takes out her bicycle and guides the children over rocky, dirt roadways, steep inclines, and traffic-laced highways to the elementary school, located more than a 25-minute ride from their mountainous home.

Irma’s story serves as a reminder of how sponsorship can be the spark that ignites the fire within a child living in poverty to fight to reach their full potential.

Watch “Irma’s Path” to get an inside look at the obstacles she faces daily, and give someone else like Irma the chance for an education when you sponsor a child today.

Unbound Regional Reporter Oscar Tuch contributed photos, b-roll video and information for this story, while Multimedia Production Manager Michele Batliner produced the video.