Marlen's Future Is Full Of Merry Music

Marlen is a determined 22-year-old living in our Amanecer sponsor site in Cochabamba, Bolivia. She was born tenacious - she survived a difficult birth and very precarious early hours. She remained brave throughout her childhood, facing schoolyard teasing about her foot and hands, which developed differently from the other children. She was also diagnosed with epilepsy.

Marlen spent many childhood days with her grandparents, while her mother worked to afford the multiple surgeries and medications her daughter needed. Marlen persisted in her studies, despite the side effects of her medication, which disrupted her concentration.

When Marlen was 14, she was chosen by a Chalice sponsor. By the time she graduated high school, she had decided that she wanted to become a teacher. Today, Marlen is in her fourth year of her Inclusive Bachelor of Education degree, with a focus on working with children with disabilities. She wants to work with preschool-aged children who face physical challenges like she did, so she learned both sign language and braille. She plans to also study psychology and nutrition. "I aspire to many more things," Marlen writes. "I thank my sponsor very much for helping me to achieve my goals."

Marlen's ultimate dream is to open a daycare for children with disabilities, where she can put her passion into action. But she lacked what is perhaps an unexpected tool: an accordion. Despite her difficulties with her fingers, Marlen learned the accordion, knowing that music and song is essential for young children to learn and express themselves. Thanks to gifts purchased through the Chalice gift catalogue, Marlen has her own accordion, which will someday be the delight of many young students!

"I am very grateful and excited," writes Marlen. "It will help me teach [because] students at this level learn through song." She extends her gratitude to all Chalice supporters: "May God always bless you."