Meet Maria Celis in the Dominican Republic | Children International | Child Sponsorship in Africa, India, South America, & USA

About me & my family

Name: Maria Celis
Waiting for sponsorship: 756 days
Avg Family Income in Community: $440.00
Gender: Female
Age: 15
Personality: Affectionate, Cooperative, Friendly/social
Interests: Dancing, Doing general housework, Socializing with friends
Siblings:
Francis, 21, Male
Franclin, 17, Male
Maria Celeste, 15, Female
Lives with: Parents
Language: Spanish
School: Yes
Child ID #: 1660262

Learn more about education in this child's country.

About my house

Water source: Neighbor shares
Level of Overcrowding: Adequate privacy
Access to Internet:
Access to Telephone: Never

Learn more about homes in this child's country.

Learn more about water in this child's country.

Poverty in the Dominican Republic

Children growing up in poverty in the Dominican Republic face serious barriers that can limit their opportunities — including unsafe environments, disrupted education, physical and mental health challenges, and few pathways to meaningful work. 

That’s why our approach provides the guidance, belonging and practical support young people need to thrive – from developing life skills and emotional well-being in childhood to gaining career training and meaningful employment as young adults. Through programs led by trained leaders, children and youth develop self-assurance, resilience, and a solid foundation to grow into healthy, capable young adults who can shape their own futures. 

Sponsor Her Now

How will you use
my $39 monthly gift?

Your confidence in our work is extremely important to us. We’ve established stringent accounting and financial reporting procedures to ensure your gifts have the maximum impact on sponsored children, their families and communities. Your sponsorship contributions are pooled and transferred directly to the field agencies, where our expert field professional staff makes sure they’re used responsibly and efficiently to provide benefits and services tailored to each child.

Your $39 monthly contribution ensures access to life‑changing interventions, such as:

Physical and mental health services
Educational assistance from early childhood to graduation
Empowerment programs like leadership training, music, arts and sports
Job readiness and placement services
Safe community with trusted mentors
A personal connection with someone who cares.

How child sponsorship works

What does my child receive?

Your support provides your sponsored child with access to life-changing benefits through our innovative approach, such as access to physical and emotional health services, life skills, educational assistance and more. The interventions you make possible are focused on giving children the support and tools they need to be healthy, stay in school, graduate with the skills needed to pursue meaningful work, and create lasting change in their communities.

Additionally, your monthly donation delivers:

Support from our dedicated local staff and volunteers who are embedded in the community and are committed to helping your child succeed.  
A personal connection with someone (you!) and the invaluable knowledge that they are special and loved. 
A chance for a better life, free from poverty.

What do I receive?

As a sponsor, your $39 monthly gift includes:

A quick-start guide to becoming a child sponsor, along with more info about your child, including a photo. 
Photos and updates about your child, on a regular basis. 
Letters from your child or your child’s caretaker.
Access to MyCI, your online account, where you can view photos and learn more about your child, read and write letters, manage your giving, and much more.  
Seeing your impact in action through updates and monthly emails. And you have the option of visiting your child and witnessing our life-changing programs in action.  
A unique, rewarding opportunity to make a lasting and meaningful difference for vulnerable children.