December 13, 2007
Ibagué (Tolima),
Therese Schmidt
Beloved godmother:
I write you this letter with appreciation, enthusiasm and gratitude, and I would like to tell you many aspects of my life and my thoughts.
I am William Daniel Rojas Carvajal and I am 13 years old. I study at “Institucion Educativa Tecnica Dario Echandia” (Dario Echandia Educative Institution), where this year I finished seventh grade. I had a great academic performance, which allowed me to be promoted to eighth grade.
I would like to tell you that I achieved this thanks to the support that you gave me, because I could get all the necessary elements for my studies. You do not know how much I appreciate it. Thank you, thank you very much.
I live with my mother and sisters my father does not live with us because he was kidnapped ten years ago and we never heard from him again. This event filled our lives with difficulties and due to it my mother has had to take care of our family by doing different activities that allow her to give solutions to our family’s needs. All this encourages and motivates me to become a better person and to commit to myself to look for a better future and to become a role model for other people.
Dear godmother, I would like to tell you that I help my mother a lot by taking care of my house and selling some basic articles in a small store that we have as a source of income.
In addition to this, I have the support of the YMCA, which has received and welcomed me by giving me the chance to join the different activities that they develop. Currently, I am participating in some dancing workshops and English Classes. I am also part of the youth group in my neighborhood, which was organized by the YMCA. This has been really important for my personal growth, both spiritually and intellectually, because my dream is to be an important person in the future.
Currently, we are going through a very painful situation because my sister Norma, who is 19 years old, has cancer and is having chemotherapy.
I would like to tell you that my country is very beautiful, it has gorgeous landscapes, a huge variety of climates, it is has a rich agriculture and a lot of mineral resources. Unfortunately, war has made it poor and we are going through a very bad economical situation. There is not employment and some farmers have to leave their homes and come to the cities. Despite all this we still have faith and we believe that the peace that we wish for will come soon.
I would like to wish you, along with my family, that you are very happy on these holidays and that you are able to be with your loved ones. I wish that 2008 brings you health and prosperity an[s well as success in your life.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation.
Yours truly,