2021 Photo essay: A year in review | Children International

In 2021, Children International's photographers around the world have navigated the ongoing challenges of the pandemic to tell the stories of our children and families.

They capture moments of joy and success that our sponsors and supporters help make possible. Here are some of our favorite moments from 2021.

Dr. Debbie Suéscum is a dentist working to provide dental services to sponsored children in one of our community centers in Guayaquil. Seeing the smiles of her patients motivates her to work through the challenges of the pandemic.

Photo by Patricia Huerta, Agency Journalist, Ecuador.

Thanks to the skills he gained through the Into Employment program, Axel Tepeu was able to start his own business and earn extra income to help keep his family afloat. “I felt motivated and found the meaning of my life. The program is very important, because for us young people, it motivates us to get ahead and be successful.”

Photo by Carolina Pichillá, Agency Journalist, Guatemala.

In rural Guatemala, Josue, (left) Veronica and Esdras shuck corn – a common chore for Guatemalan children. Their older sister Maria, (not pictured) is sponsored through Children International and is teaching the children how to read and write. The pandemic has made access to education for children in rural communities especially difficult.

Photo by Carolina Pichillá, Agency Journalist, Guatemala.

In Honduras, sponsored youth Jhulyanni (left) helps her younger brother, Jatniel, with his homework as they participate in virtual learning. Jhulyanni also serves as a tutor for other sponsored children who need additional help by conducting sessions through WhatsApp. 

Photo by Nelson Guevara, Agency Journalist, Honduras.

Coraima in the Dominican Republic is focused on her education so she can help support her mother when she needs it. “My motivation [comes from] my mom and being able to help her in the future. I always do things thinking about her.”

Photo by Carina Cruz, Agency Journalist, Dominican Republic.

Staff in Honduras visit a sponsored community after devastating hurricanes swept through the region last fall. In addition to helping clean up the neighborhood and local community center, Children International staff also handed out soap and masks to families.

Photo by Nelson Guevara, Agency Journalist, Honduras.

Sharon lost her job when the coronavirus pandemic hit and struggled to make ends meet as a single mother of Enock and Clement. Thanks to sponsorship, the family received food vouchers and school supplies such as books and pens. 

 Photo by Caren Mwelwa, Agency Journalist, Zambia.

Janeth picks up nutritional supplements and medical prescriptions for sponsored grandchild Fredy. Through programs offered at the community center, she has learned about better nutrition which she is able to share with other children and families as a volunteer.

Photo by Patricia Huerta, Agency Journalist, Ecuador.

Since September of last year, staff in Jalisco have been implementing their “Conectando Contigo" or “Connecting with You” strategy. Every day, the local team contacts families of their five community centers to hear what they need most, often groceries and household supplies, and then coordinates visits to distribute the donations.

Photo by Denise Gil, Agency Journalist, Mexico.

Members of the 2018 Colombia Wind Orchestra were filmed for a documentary* that tells the captivating story of how music transforms the lives of children. Under the guidance of their contagiously enthusiastic instructor, these young musicians learned the joy that determination can bring. Watch the documentary

*Colombia Wind Orchestra is a documentary presented by The Sally and Dick Roberts Coyote Foundation.

In the Dominican Republic, children have started to return to community centers for some programmatic activities, with masking and capacity protocols in place. Pictured here, education officer Manuel De La Rosa helps Suanyr (left) and Aylin work on their calligraphy notebooks.

Photo by Carina Cruz, Agency Journalist, Dominican Republic.

 Photo by Patricia Huerta, Agency Journalist, Ecuador.

In October, former sponsored youth, Joahnna, (holding the sign) earned her degree in early childhood education. She now serves as a volunteer for Children International in her spare time. While activities at community centers remained limited, Johanna safely brought children together outside of her home, where they played hopscotch, sang songs and had a day of fun after nearly two years of lockdown.

To see more stories that were shared from the past year, and learn how your support continues to help sponsored children and families, visit our stories page.

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Photo essay: A year in review

looking back at some of our favorite moments in 2021

Dr. Debbie Suéscum is a dentist working to provide dental services to sponsored children in one of our community centers in Guayaquil. Seeing the smiles of her patients motivates her to work through the challenges of the pandemic.

In Honduras, sponsored youth Jhulyanni (left) helps her younger brother, Jatniel, with his homework as they participate in virtual learning. Jhulyanni also serves as a tutor for other sponsored children who need additional help by conducting sessions through WhatsApp.

Coraima in the Dominican Republic is focused on her education so she can help support her mother when she needs it. “My motivation [comes from] my mom and being able to help her in the future. I always do things thinking about her.”

Staff in Honduras visit a sponsored community after devastating hurricanes swept through the region last fall. In addition to helping clean up the neighborhood and local community center, Children International staff also handed out soap and masks to families.

Sharon lost her job when the coronavirus pandemic hit and struggled to make ends meet as a single mother of Enock and Clement. Thanks to sponsorship, the family received food vouchers and school supplies such as books and pens.

Janeth picks up nutritional supplements and medical prescriptions for sponsored grandchild Fredy. Through programs offered at the community center, she has learned about better nutrition which she is able to share with other children and families as a volunteer.

In the Dominican Republic, children have started to return to community centers for some programmatic activities, with masking and capacity protocols in place. Pictured here, education officer Manuel De La Rosa helps Suanyr (left) and Aylin work on their calligraphy notebooks.

To see more stories that were shared from the past year, and learn how your support continues to help sponsored children and families, visit our stories page.

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Bridging the Gap: How a Foundation is Helping End Global Poverty

The day we finally met:
Making a meaningful connection

Empowering young leaders.
Transforming futures.

Photo essay: A year in review

looking back at some of our favorite moments in 2021

Dr. Debbie Suéscum is a dentist working to provide dental services to sponsored children in one of our community centers in Guayaquil. Seeing the smiles of her patients motivates her to work through the challenges of the pandemic.

In Honduras, sponsored youth Jhulyanni (left) helps her younger brother, Jatniel, with his homework as they participate in virtual learning. Jhulyanni also serves as a tutor for other sponsored children who need additional help by conducting sessions through WhatsApp.

Coraima in the Dominican Republic is focused on her education so she can help support her mother when she needs it. “My motivation [comes from] my mom and being able to help her in the future. I always do things thinking about her.”

Staff in Honduras visit a sponsored community after devastating hurricanes swept through the region last fall. In addition to helping clean up the neighborhood and local community center, Children International staff also handed out soap and masks to families.

Sharon lost her job when the coronavirus pandemic hit and struggled to make ends meet as a single mother of Enock and Clement. Thanks to sponsorship, the family received food vouchers and school supplies such as books and pens.

Janeth picks up nutritional supplements and medical prescriptions for sponsored grandchild Fredy. Through programs offered at the community center, she has learned about better nutrition which she is able to share with other children and families as a volunteer.

In the Dominican Republic, children have started to return to community centers for some programmatic activities, with masking and capacity protocols in place. Pictured here, education officer Manuel De La Rosa helps Suanyr (left) and Aylin work on their calligraphy notebooks.

To see more stories that were shared from the past year, and learn how your support continues to help sponsored children and families, visit our stories page.

Comments

You must be logged in to comment. If you have an account, click here to log in.

Bridging the Gap: How a Foundation is Helping End Global Poverty

The day we finally met: Making a meaningful connection

Empowering young leaders. Transforming futures.

In Honduras, sponsored youth Jhulyanni (left) helps her younger brother, Jatniel, with his homework as they participate in virtual learning. Jhulyanni also serves as a tutor for other sponsored children who need additional help by conducting sessions through WhatsApp. 

Sharon lost her job when the coronavirus pandemic hit and struggled to make ends meet as a single mother of Enock and Clement. Thanks to sponsorship, the family received food vouchers and school supplies such as books and pens. 

The day we finally met:
Making a meaningful connection

Empowering young leaders.
Transforming futures.