The sun beat down relentlessly as we ventured deeper into El Salvador’s countryside, the rough, dirt roads leading us to remote communities that felt worlds away from everything I knew. I had come with World Vision’s Be Chosen campaign, eager to meet Anderson, the young boy I had been sponsoring. But as we traveled from place to place, meeting families and hearing their stories, I realized this trip wasn’t just about one child—it was about an entire country in need of transformation.

Before meeting Anderson, we visited several rural communities, and the conditions were devastating. The daily struggle for survival is harsh reality in this part of the world. Many families live in makeshift homes constructed from scrap materials. Children played barefoot on dirt roads, their laughter masking the hardships they face daily.

The greatest struggle is the lack of clean water. Time and time again, we heard stories of families collecting water from contaminated sources—stagnant ponds, polluted rivers and hand-dug wells filled with bacteria or fun-off from the landfill. This was the water they drank, bathed in and cooked with—water that can cause constant illness like diarrhea, parasites and malnutrition.

We spoke with young girls who spent hours each day fetching water instead of attending school. Their futures were being shaped not by their dreams, but by their need to survive.

One of the most unforgettable moments of my trip was meeting Anderson, the child I have been sponsoring. He greeted me with a huge smile, standing beside his mother, his small hand gripping hers. His eyes were filled with excitement and shyness. Though we had exchanged letters, nothing compared to seeing him in person.

Anderson, like so many children in El Salvador, continue to face an uphill battle. His family, like many others, struggle with limited resources, unsafe water and few opportunities. Yet, standing before me, he was full of life, a reminder that even in the hardest circumstances, hope still shines through.

One thing became clear during my visit is the impact of World Vision. This organization is changing lives—not just for individual children, but for entire communities.

In areas where families once walked miles for water, wells now provide safe, drinkable water right where they live. These wells do more than quench thirst—they prevent disease, allow children to attend school, and give parents the freedom to work instead of spending hours gathering water.

Beyond clean water, World Vision equips children with knowledge and confidence. They teach essential lessons on hygiene, sanitation, bullying prevention, and safety, empowering kids to take control of their futures. Education and resources are breaking cycles of poverty that have lasted for generations.

Another remarkable aspect of World Vision’s work is how they empower women in these communities, many of whom are left to raise their families while their husbands travel long distances for meager wages. Without financial independence, these women often struggle to provide for their children. There were women that I considered “pillars of the community,” taking the education provided by the World Vision team and educating their entire communities because they want better for future generations.

Through economic empowerment programs, World Vision equips them with the tools and resources to start small businesses. I met women who had received chickens through World Vision, allowing them to sell eggs and provide both nutrition and income for their families. I had the honor of visiting one family who shared how World Vision taught them planting methods and provided them with information on nutrition and safe food practices leaving them with aspirations of a food storage business.

These programs don’t just provide for immediate needs—they instill an entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of self-worth, proving to these women that they are more than their circumstances. When women are empowered, entire communities thrive.

Despite the incredible progress being made, El Salvador remains a country in urgent need. Many communities are still waiting for safe water, healthcare, and access to education. In remote areas, families remain trapped in survival mode, unable to dream beyond their next meal or drink of water.

As I left each community, I couldn’t stop thinking about the children I met—those still waiting for help, still suffering because something as basic as clean water is out of reach. The need is urgent, but the solution is within our hands.

Meeting Anderson and visiting these communities changed me. It showed me that sponsorship isn’t just about providing—it’s about restoring dignity and creating opportunity. Anderson’s life is already different because of the support he’s received, and you can be part of that change.

Right now, a child is waiting for you. You can be the reason they have access to clean water, an education, and a bright future. Sponsor a child today through World Vision’s Be Chosen campaign and let them choose you. Or, if you want to make a lasting impact, consider gifting a well, bringing safe water to an entire community in desperate need.

Visit World Vision’s website to take action. Hope begins with YOU!

Blessings, Shannon

xoxo