Stories of Sponsorship: Frederick's Story

Frederick’s Story

Frederick [name changed for privacy] was just 11 years old when he asked to be on Lespwa Lavi’s sponsorship waiting list.  In 2019, there were 254 kids in our soccer academy waiting to be sponsored, and we opened the program up to an additional 300 at risk children in the community.  Frederick signed up, but he did not know his real birthdate or his address. 

Frederick, age 11

That fall, Haiti was reeling from rising gang violence, and people were afraid to leave their homes.  The new reality of being kidnapped just for walking down the street was settling in.  Lespwa Lavi’s nutrition program started and Frederick was chosen by a sponsor in the United States.  Unfortunately, since he didn’t know his address when he signed up, his advocate could not find him.  At the time, Haiti was on complete lockdown, and there was a very real chance that children could starve to death.

Frederick’s father died when he was very young, and his mother was not able to care for him.  His aunt stepped in, taking him into her house while she was already a single mother of 3.  The five of them lived in a tiny, unfinished 2 room house.  Frederick helped his aunt with housework, and she sacrificed much to put him in school.  The family often did not have enough food, and Frederick was dangerously underweight. 

Lespwa Lavi advocate, Luders, was determined to find him.  At the risk of his own safety, he began to search.  He remembered the name of Frederick’s grandmother and found out what neighborhood his mother was born in.  After calling a few friends and asking door to door around the area, he found someone who knew where Frederick lived.  The advocate met with Frederick and his aunt, and got him enrolled in the program.  They found his birth certificate and Frederick learned his real birthday, February 24th, 2008.  The first time Frederick came to the nutrition program, he was 12 years old and weighed just 59 pounds. 

Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”  Frederick’s aunt cared for him when her sister could not, sacrificing her own health and comfort, and sharing her children’s food.  Advocate Luders could have given up on finding Frederick, but he used all his connections to track down the child.  Frederick’s sponsor chose him, bringing the catalyst that can change an entire community.  Since 2019, Frederick has gained 18 pounds.  He has stayed on track in school despite COVID-19 and continued political unrest and gang violence.  He plans to become a doctor.  With Frederick’s needs met by sponsorship, the family had the resources to make some improvements to their house, adding a door and a latrine this year. 

Perhaps Frederick will become a doctor.  He took a chance when he asked for help 3 years ago.  He can see a vision of a better life.  Perhaps one day he’ll be the one helping his neighbors, a ripple effect for generations to come. 

Frederick age 14 in his school uniform.