“Twenty-five years ago I answered a [ChildFund International] ad and received a picture of a ragged 8-year-old Indian boy, some information about him and his desperate circumstances,” said Jim Yaley, a ChildFund International child sponsor.

“They asked if I would sponsor this boy, Senthil, and I said sure.”

Since then, Jim Yaley has seen Senthil overcome his adolescent struggles, earn his college degree and receive a quality position with the information technology group, IBM.

Now, Yaley continues his relationship with ChildFund through three other child sponsorships in Mexico, Kenya and India. To date, he has sponsored seven different children.

“I love them all and I feel their love for me,” said Yaley.

One of his sponsored children, 18-year-old Florencia, is very family-oriented and involved in her community. In a village a few miles away, Florencia attends seminars about reproductive rights. She then returns to her own village to teach others in her community.

Florencia also is prepping to enter the Mexican College Law program, thanks to the generous help and support of her sponsor, Jim Yaley

“A few years ago, her project reported that she was making very good grades,” said Yaley. “I was curious about how far she could go and how much it would cost.”

Yaley called ChildFund International and asked to send a delegation to interview her. After hearing that Florencia was a great candidate for college, Yaley made the decision to cover the cost of tuition, books, room and board for Florencia.

To Yaley, a quality education is a key component for improving the lives of children living in poverty. Providing this education is an action he believes that ChidFund International, sponsors, donors and other supporters alike can make together.

“Provide clean water first, then enough food and then school; all within a reasonable proximity. There is no better use for our money. It’s very important to do what we can for children living in poverty.”