We say it all the time. It doesn't take 500 people with a 10-step plan to change a community. It takes ONE person, confident in their identity, to change the world. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the numbers. It's easy to feel powerless when you read statistics about hunger and poverty all over the world. So we're doing the opposite and telling stories of hope.
Today we're telling the story of one of our favorite little boys, Lisandro. Read this story and learn how one tiny decision, one tiny change, can create a ripple effect that changes many, many lives.
Meet Lisandro.
My name is Lisandro and I am twelve years old. Though I am like many of the boys in my village, my responsibilities grew a few years back after the unexpected passing of my father, who died from a dental infection due to the lack of access to medical care in our community.
Since then, my days are spent waking up before the other 25 people who live in my tiny 4-room home, where I walk 30 minutes to a nearby village to work for an elderly man who needs assistance around his house. From there I race back to my village around 12:30 to hopefully make it back in time for school. After school, I choose to stay late, sweeping and mopping the entire school for a few extra pesos that has allowed me to purchase tortillas that I can bring home to my family.
For the last 2 years, as the oldest son, it has been my responsibility to care for my mom and 3 younger brothers and sisters.
Recently I was faced with a decision: will I find another job or continue with my education? I was graduating from the 6th grade, and like many others, this was the normal time so start working and end my education as I knew it.
“For the first time, I am excited about what the future holds. I have hope. ”
That same week, I saw the white Marked van pull up. I decided I needed to sit down with Carlos and Samy and ask what they thought about my decision to drop out of school. You see, these are some of the only male role models that we have in the village community. Not only do they show up multiple times a week, but they, along with the rest of the Marked team, have taught our moms how to make lunch and care for all the kids in our community. They spend their day hanging out with us, giving us this thing called a hug, talking about Jesus, jumping on the trampoline, kicking around a soccer ball, and playing this funny new thing called baseball. In these moments, they just encourage us to be kids. And because of that for the first time, I am learning what it is to trust.
When I finally came around to talking with them, they told me that they had already been talking to my mom about a plan. Over the past year of my mom serving along side them, they had been teaching her how to take care of our family and provide for us. And that just this past month, they hired my mom to make these key necklaces. Carlos told me that the best way to help my family, and ultimately my village was to stay in school. They encouraged me to dream about what my future could hold. We talked about someday planting a garden that would feed my family and others in the Marked community, and that I could be the gardener who helps feed all the other kids. I had never thought about my future like this before.
Our village has not been the same since that white van stopped to hand out sandwiches in front of my home years ago. There are many things I still don't know, but what I do know is that I trust them. Maybe its because they always do what they say they are going to do. Or maybe its because they took my little sister to the doctor when she was sick so that she wouldn't loose her hearing, or maybe its because they say they know Jesus, or maybe its because they make us feel like family.
They are the family we never knew we needed. On the day of my graduation, I looked out and saw them. They came. They sat with my mom and took pictures with me. They said they were so proud of me. I believe them. They brought cake to celebrate and after came to my house for lunch. It was the first time I felt like I could give back what they have taught me, I insisted that they sit down so that I could serve them lunch the same way they do for us each week. And at the end of the day, I built up enough courage, that I gave them this hug that they had always given me. Next month I start school to continue my education and I have my Marked family to thank. I am dreaming big, not only for my future but for my family, and my village community. For the first time, I am excited about what the future holds. I have hope.