Curi came to school from an early age, too early for our lowest grade, but he was so excited to learn, and with his cheeky smile, how could we turn him away? At first he was very shy, he didn’t mutter a word in Spanish or Kichwa, his mother tongue, he would just sit in class, bewildered, looking on in shy fascination. He was so little.
Some days he would come in, exhausted from work, and so lacking in energy from little food he would just fall asleep in his chair. Curi was malnourished. It wasn’t his parents’ fault, they tried so hard to provide for little Curi but it wasn’t always possible, and he was so quiet he would get forgotten at mealtimes.
It was OK though, Curi started school early. For now, we could concentrate on his nutrition so that when he needed to, he would be ready to learn. And that is what we did! He would come in every day to school, learn a little and fill his tummy with the fuel for him to develop. Now in 3rd grade, he is reading, writing and FULL of energy, confident and very clever. If you were to come up to school today, I bet you couldn’t spot him! He isn’t the one asleep in the corner. He isn’t the quiet one. He is the one bouncing around, working, playing, helping, and chatting. He is a seven-year-old boy like any other you know.
But his story could already have ended. It’s that simple. A piece of fruit, a hot meal, everyday for £30 or $50 a year and little Curi gets the same chance in life that you and I had. There are lots of other little children like Curi out there that need your help. They need a chance. For someone to tell them they are worth £30 or $50, that they can be something.
This Christmas, please tell a little boy or girl they are worth something. Donate £30, $50 or whatever you can afford. Pay for food and fruit for a year. Pay for that chance. Thank you.
