Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your profession and why did you choose it?

My name is Natalia Del Pozo. I was born in Segovia, Spain in 1972. I am a kindergarten teacher at Grant Elementary School in Richmond, California. I love being a teacher because it is the most rewarding job. Watching my little ones learn is the most fulfilling experience. I love young children because I not only get to teach them but also nurture them.

Why did you decide to support VFF USA? What was the main factor behind your decision?

I decided to support VFF because I had a good picture on how my money would be distributed, and I understood the great impact that my monthly donation would do for a family in rural India. Most of us can live without $30, and knowing that my modest investment would support a girl’s education is worth every cent.

Please share why you support the Sponsor a Child program.

I always dreamed about having a connection to someone, somewhere in the world. I established that connection through the VFF USA Sponsor a Child program. At first, I started writing to my sponsored child, and after a year of exchanging letters, I was able to travel to India and hugged her when I visited her house which made it all worth the while and made my dream come true.

Please tell us more about your trip to India.

I finally met Pavani after a year of writing letters on June 27th, 2022. My son and I left the RDT campus early in the morning accompanied by a driver and a translator. After 3 hours, we reached Byluppalla village. Everyone in the village was there to greet us. We were received with great love and affection, especially by Pavani’s family. I got to talk to so many kids in the village. The highlight of the day was the kisses and hugs from Pavani and her sisters. Each moment of the day was a moment of personal and spiritual enrichment. In addition, RDT staff took me to visit other important project sites, such as hospitals and schools. In particular, I was very impressed with the RDT Inclusive Development School that teaches differently able students with cerebral palsy, as well as hearing and vision impairment and other disabilities. RDT takes special care of people with disabilities. I had the incredible opportunity to visit places where people’s lives were completely transformed. For example, I saw rural women who received professional development training so that they could gain extra to help their families.

What was your most memorable experience of the trip?

The most memorable experience of the trip was to sponsor my second child, Rajesuari. I did it because after seeing with my own eyes how Pavani’s life had changed because of my donation, I decided to give the same opportunity to another girl. In fact, I was able to visit my newly sponsored child right after I visited Pavani. This was my personal confirmation that I wanted to become more involved with VFF and its cause. Overall, my trip was full of memorable moments. I met a lot of people: volunteers, translators, organizers, and collaborators. I got to meet Moncho Ferrer and his wife Visha, Yamuna, and Anna Ferrer. My son made friends with Vicente Ferrer’s grandchildren. It was all magical but very real, spiritual, and yet down to earth, without a doubt, the best trip of my life.

www.vffusa.org/sponsor-a-child/