A tribute to members of our sponsorship family who have served their country in uniform.
Joel Lambert served for 10+ years as a U.S. Navy Seal. Today, Joel exemplifies service in real life and on TV.
He is also dedicated to making a difference in the war on poverty. Children International is proud to have Joel on our side.
Recently, Joel visited his sponsored child, John, in the Philippines. John said he, too, wants to join the military because he loves his country.
“It will change your life and make you a person that you could never imagine you could be,” Joel told John.
Tomás also sets a great example for John. Tomás joined the Ecuadorian military, where he quickly put to use the skills and values sponsorship taught him.
“On base, they ask us to be helpful to our neighbors, to be responsible and take on challenges. I learned these things from [Children International],” says Tomás.
Now 20 and finished with his tour of duty, Tomás has ambitious plans:
“I want to become a policeman – to have my house, to buy the things that are needed for it and then to get married and give my children a better future.”
When Gerardo became a reservist in the Guatemalan military, he already had an advantage.
“I was already a leader trained by Children International when I entered the military reserves,” he explains.
Today, Gerardo plans to continue serving his country via a career in business administration.
“Guatemala is a peaceful nation, and it needs other types of contributions, like hard work, academics and professionalism.”
Similarly, Misael, from the Dominican Republic, is proud to serve others.
“My duties are respecting my superiors, respecting my subordinates, and respecting and caring for civilians.”
Misael says his mother, Venecia, is grateful he joined the army. “A lot of bad things happen in my neighborhood, and some of my friends have been killed or put in jail. Now that I’m a soldier, [my mother] is at peace.”
Tapan, from India, also faced a risky future after his father died. His family was truly desperate when Tapan and his brother were sponsored through Children International.
In 2003, Tapan, now 30, joined the military. “My brother Pratap, too, is in the Indian Army. Today, both of us are doing well in life, and the major contribution towards our success is that of Children International.”
