Across Brazil, sponsorship leads to continuing education—and blossoming leaders

When Elisieux was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a lawyer.

It was just that, though: a dream. No one in her family had ever been to college before, let alone law school.

“My parents couldn’t afford to pay for it, nor could they support me more closely in school, as they had little education themselves,” she says.

How sponsorship fuels higher education

First-generation university students around the globe know this story all too well. In Brazil, where more than half of children live below the poverty line, higher education can often be completely out of reach for families—especially when parents lack much formal schooling themselves.

As Brazil continues its path of rapid development and robust economic growth, however, the government, nonprofits like ChildFund, and communities themselves are working together to make education more accessible to all.

“It was thanks to the sponsorship system that I was able to dream of university and, more importantly, make that dream a reality,” Elisieux says.

Elisieux celebrates her graduation from law school at the Regional University of Cariri.

Sponsorship connected Elisieux to one of the most simple yet valuable forms of education she’d ever known: “It was the tutoring offered by the program,” she says. “It helped me with schoolwork.

“In addition, I participated in vocational courses through the program, such as computer skills, customer service and secretarial work, which strengthened my resume and helped me enter the job market.” By the time Elisieux began college, she already had valuable job experience. “I was hired as a secretary in a law firm, where I worked during the day and studied at night.”

Today, Elisieux owns her own law office. She often feels overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who supported her along her journey.

“Looking back on my career path, I attribute a large part of my achievements to the sponsorship program, which was the foundation that sustained me during the most difficult times and propelled me forward,” she says. “Without this support, perhaps I wouldn't have been able to overcome so many obstacles and achieve the professional success I have today.”

From sponsored child to community leader

From a different part of Brazil, Jean, now a 19-year-old college student, shares a similar story.

He was sponsored through ChildFund at the age of 8 and actively participated in programs run by our local partner organization in his community. As Jean grew, he joined REJUDES—in English, the Youth Network for Social Rights, a ChildFund Brazil initiative that helps young people understand their rights and mobilize their communities for change.

Through REJUDES, Jean often led discussions on youth rights and advocated for better opportunities for young people in education, recreation and sports.

“ChildFund’s programs sparked my curiosity and resilience—qualities that helped me overcome a failed attempt to study abroad in 2022,” Jean recalls. “The following year, I succeeded. I remember doing the interview at the partner organization to confirm my move.”

Jean during a visit to Washington, D.C.

Jean spent time in the U.S., improved his English, and continued to nurture his resilience and curiosity. These qualities led him to an extraordinary achievement: He was accepted into Northwestern University in Illinois on a full scholarship.

“I was selected because of my academic performance and the social impact I’ve made in my community,” he says. Jean began his studies in Public Policy and Education in September 2024.

Jean says ChildFund played a critical role in his path to higher education.

“My desire to go further came from the encouragement ChildFund always gave us—to learn more about our rights,” he explains.

He also expresses heartfelt gratitude to his sponsor. “I want to dedicate this ‘thank you’ to Daniel. I’m deeply grateful to have been chosen among so many children. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting me throughout this journey.”

Jean plans to return to Brazil in 2027, and he already knows what he wants to do. “There are so many talents in my community, and I’ll never forget my roots. My goal is to come back and help those talents shine.”

Elisieux and Jean’s stories are a powerful reminder that sponsorship isn’t just a way to help a single child: It’s a way to nurture the next generation of leaders who will touch so many others through their work.

Feeling inspired? It might just be time to sponsor a child in Brazil – or anywhere—and see the ripple effect your kindness can make on the world.