By Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009
I met Yocairy, her mother and three siblings who lived in the poorest of areas we visited.
One year ago, I traveled to the Dominican Republic as Miss USA 2009. I knew I was going in support of World Water Day, but it wasn't until I got there, visited the villages, the families, and witnessed the day-to-day hardships of finding enough food, clean water and providing safety for their families that I truly understood the importance of Children International.
I couldn't believe that people living in the poverty-stricken villages of the DR had to walk 30-45 minutes to the closest river source in order to fetch water for their families. We visited the river where they got their water and saw that it was polluted with glass, trash, broken beer bottles and old tires -- certainly not a safe place for people to come get water, especially children. I felt ashamed for ever complaining about anything when I can just go turn on the water at my sink or shower whenever I want and not have to worry about getting a disease or illness because of the lack of cleanliness. After visiting with the families and children, I wanted to do something to spread the word and help.
I met a little girl named Yocairy Batista, who was 6 years old with the most gorgeous brown eyes I had ever seen. She had a heart-warming smile and an innocence about her that made me melt. Her father had been killed in a fight a few days before and her young mother was pregnant with her fourth child. I wanted to bring her back home with me so bad, but since I couldn't do that, I did the next best thing...adopt her as my sponsored child through Children International. It was the best feeling ever to hold her in my arms and know that she was about to get food, clean water, medical care, an education and actually have hope for a brighter future. The best part is, I could do this for just $39 a month, which blows my mind.
I distributed items to help families keep drinking water clean.
Since then, I have received photos and letters from her and how she is doing, which I love! She loves to read, draw, dance and play outside with her neighbors. The idea of knowing I can have an impact on a child's life through such an amazing organization like Children International makes me so happy. Visiting the DR and working with Children International has changed my life because it helped me realize all the blessings in my life, how lucky I am to live in America, and what being happy is all about...helping others.
