Former sponsored child gives hope she received by working in healthcare

Malpoa has come a long way from her childhood days dreaming of becoming a midwife in Burkina Faso. 

The 34-year-old mother-of-two became a sponsored child through Children Believe (then Christian Children’s Fund of Canada) when she was 11. And so began the journey that brought her to Children Believe to work in sponsorship, before settling in her current job as a health facilitator at a child development centre.

“Children Believe has been an inspiration for success in my life,” she tells us. Aside, from kick-starting her career, it was instrumental during her formative years. She recalls support with food, healthcare, her education as well as personal gifts from her sponsor. “The [gifts] I received three times a year for my birthday, Easter and Christmas” were special, she recalls.

But it was the encouraging letters, photos and stickers from her sponsor’s family that touched Malpoa most. “This allowed me to be who I am today.”

The young mother shares how support through Children Believe encouraged her to come out of her shell and showed her the power of unconditional love. She adds: “It has also given me the strength, the pleasure to share what little I have with those who don’t have even a little; to know that no matter how difficult life is, it can be changed in a positive way.”

And, she’s certainly creating positive change every day. As a health facilitator, Malpoa organizes and arranges visits between children and health workers, coordinates breakfasts for patients, helps monitor and administer medicine to patients with chronic illnesses, helps coordinate reimbursements and so much more.

The eager student and mom isn’t ready to slow down, either. She’s continuing her education, working towards a degree in Human Resources Management. And, Malpoa remains dedicated to her job in the health sector. “What I love most about my work is visiting sick children, praying for them and their families,” she shares.

So, although Malpoa may not have become a midwife, she sees a bright future ahead, one where she might one day meet her former sponsor family. “By the grace of God, I will make this dream come true,” she says.

Malpoa is one of many sponsored children to reach her childhood dreams. Read how Hector became an entrepreneur in Nicaragua.

Help more girls like Malpoa dream big. Sponsor a child today.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance:

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.