A person of value

traumatized by racism and bullying, Wilson learned to believe in himself through Children International’s programs

The bullying began when Wilson was still very young. Neighborhood children taunted him, mocking his darker skin color. Adults treated him as if he simply didn’t exist. The shy little boy retreated further and further into himself, afraid to say or do anything that might bring him unwanted attention.

Wilson’s feelings of isolation worsened when his father abandoned the family. His mother, Melba, would rise at 4 a.m. every day and work long hours just to feed them, still only managing to make about $125 a month to feed the family of eight. “My mom is a very hard-working lady. But my dad wasn’t around when I wanted him to be,” he remembers.

Wilson and his family are part of the Garifuna community in Honduras. Today’s Garifuna descended from the survivors of a seventeenth-century shipwreck of slavery-bound Nigerians, many of whom were eventually exiled to the Honduran coast. They are the third largest minority group in Honduras, and they regularly face discrimination and exclusion from mainstream society.

“There are many humiliations for being a Garifuna,” Wilson, now 16, shares. “Being the color I am is not simple because you have to put up with mockery and rejection.


My childhood left me with a lot of wounds.”

A ray of hope

Desperate to help her son, Melba enrolled Wilson in Children International’s program when he was 3 years old, and he would wait nearly two years for a sponsor. Once sponsored, Wilson’s quality of life improved through his access to medical care, educational support and gifts for his birthday and Christmas.

Despite the help he was receiving, Wilson still hung back in social settings, too nervous to participate in additional activities. “I was afraid I would be seen differently,” he says. “But one day I made up my mind and went [to the Children International community center]” to become more involved in what the program had to offer.

It was then that he began to, as he describes it, “unwrap.” He would observe others until he became confident enough to contribute. And over time, he began to feel accepted and valued as a person. “[Children International] looks at everyone the same,” he says gratefully.


Wilson joined the program when he was 3 years old.

However, Wilson was still traumatized by the racism he faced in his daily life. A breakthrough moment occurred when he attended a youth camp hosted by Children International. He remembers, “They told me you don’t have to pay attention to mean comments. So you say, ‘I’m proudly Black, because that’s what I am.’ You shouldn’t be ashamed of your skin color because what really matters is that you’re a beautiful person with a good heart. That opened my eyes and my mind.”

What lies ahead

Always willing to do more, Wilson is now a program volunteer in his community. When he’s not in school or leading a tutoring session, he’s helping younger children write letters to their sponsors. “It’s nice that people come to me asking for help to write a letter,” he says.

Wilson’s 22-year-old sister, Dilsy, supports his efforts and is grateful for the safety that Children International’s community center provides within San Pedro Sula, a city with one of the highest homicide rates in the world. “I’m glad when he goes to the community center,” she says. “There are a lot of risks here. It’s better that he spends his time [there] than in the streets.

“We tell Wilson to make the most of this opportunity because we didn’t have it. He has to study and work hard so that he can have a good life.”

Wilson's work as a program volunteer benefits his entire community.

Wilson now looks forward to graduating from high school, and he is ready to work hard for whatever comes his way. “I have been taught that you can get ahead and that no job is bad. You can move forward humbly, even with little.


I can’t express what the program means to me. They have helped me in so many ways that I don’t even know what I would say. Being [here] has completely changed my life.

“I am making an effort be become a person of value.”

Our diversity is our strength

Wilson’s story exemplifies Children International’s approach to intolerance and bigotry. Through our programs in the U.S. and globally, we work to address the inequalities that children and youth face, because we know racial injustices, colorism and gender inequality negatively impact mental well-being and opportunities for success.

Guided by our core Values, the Children International team respects and accepts all people, nurtures and unleashes potential in others, and encourages everyone to multiply good in the world.

Comments

pandelidisjody
Oct 7, 2020

Thank you for sharing Wilson's story. It is so uplifting to hear that Children International has made such a positive difference in his life. Also wonderful to know that Wilson found the courage to get involved with the CI Community center. He is an inspirational young man.

pabrito
Oct 7, 2020

Thank you for telling his story. Please, tell dear Wilson he has NOTHING to be ashamed of. He is a gorgeous young man, with a brilliant future ahead of him. Keep your head up straight and follow what you believe in. There are more good than bad people in this world... :-)

judymcclaskey
Oct 9, 2020

Bravo Wilson!!! I love your kind heart and determination. God has blessed you with CI and you are so kind to share your story with us. I pray that this is only the beginning of many success stories for you!

errrhed
Oct 12, 2020

I am happy that CI is able to help kids like Wilson. No child should have to suffer bullying and discrimination. I admire his courage in overcoming his fears of rejection.

persons
Oct 14, 2020

Wilson's story is so heart-warming and inspiring! I do hope that he will get to go to college after graduating from high school.

Marie_d65ae
Apr 24, 2021

So happy to hear such positive impact to such a deserving young man. Wilson is an inspiration and I think his future is bright. Thank you for sharing his story.

marycdame
Jun 22, 2022

Thank you for sharing Wilson’s story. He is a great example of this organization transforming lives. I am so proud of Wilson taking the initiative to accept help/guidance and take some control of his life.
This page of information is essential. Poverty IS generational. At some point there needs to be enlightenment for the child that we can create OPTIONS for ourselves.
The point made regarding the “one size fits all” approach is so true. I am an teacher in a an elementary high-risk school. Kids are ready to fall through the cracks daily, and each child’s support system needs to be tailored to her/his immediate needs.
Your page of information is spot-on for prospective Sponsors. The story of Wilson is a terrific human interest element by which potential Sponsors may be enlightened. It’s always great to hear a success, or at the very least, a potential success, story. Nice job, Children International! Give my best to Wilson!

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