Just Do It: Teaching Sports and Sharing God with Children in El Salvador

|PIC1|From a boy who just loved to play football with his friends, to a determined young man with great aspirations, Guillermo Benitez takes us on his journey back to his field of dreams and tells us of the inspiration gained from his sponsors to give back into the school and church he loves.

Growing up, Guillermo lived with his parents, grandparents and three brothers, in a home with no running water or electricity, in El Salvador. After graduating from the Compassion project in the year 2000, he dreamed of going to university. The dream was there, but the reality was that he had no way of supporting himself through university.

Though the encouragement of his sponsors, he continued to believe that his dream would come true and, in the meantime, decided to do what he could and give back to the project that gave him the ability to live a life of influence.

"I teach all the children of this school on different levels one hour at one time in the morning on Thursdays. I teach the kids physical education. It has to do with callisthenics and different types of moves and exercising. But I also teach them how to play soccer, baseball, and softball."

When asked why he was interested in doing this, Guillermo says resolutely, "What I like about teaching physical education to the kids is because I remember when I was a kid, I liked that. I liked to be a part of a soccer team and to run and to play with other kids. And now I would like to do the same with them as they did to me in the past. So that's why I enjoy doing what I'm doing right now."

A DREAM COME TRUE
Since then, Guillermo has become an instructor in one of the soccer schools, teaching children from military families and earning an income that has enabled him to go to university. He is now in his fifth year of a Bachelor of Accounting degree at the University of El Salvador.

"The types of classes and teaching I was receiving at the Compassion project would always encourage me to put effort in things, and I would go far as I could.

"One of the things my sponsors would write in every single letter I received from them was that they were praying for me. They were praying for me to become someone in the future and for me to be able to study something."

|PIC2|INCLUSIVE PLAYING FIELD
Even though Guillermo's life has now become very full, he still finds time to invest into the generations coming up in his church and Compassion project.

"One of the most important things that happened to me is that through Compassion I was able to visit a Christian church. And I've been able to attend it until today.

"I was part of this team, a group of youngsters who would reach out to young people through sports. We are visiting different schools now, and we're working with children from 12 and up involving sports. But the most important thing about this is that we are able to share the gospel with them."

Guillermo looks back on the influence of his sponsors - a missionary couple that sponsored him during the years he was in the project. "I'm really thankful, not only for the material contributions they gave me but also the fact that they were missionaries and they were willing to be helping other people, and even me to improve.

"If there was one thing I would have the power to change in the world - it would be for all those people who don't know God, for them to be able to have a relationship with Him."

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Having a steady job, his own home and a family founded on a strong relationship with God are Guillermo's aspirations, as he expresses his dreams for his own children, "It is very important for them to be a part of the church because it not only helps them in their own spiritual life, but also the decisions they would make for the rest of their lives."

Compassion's holistic approach to child sponsorship ensures that extra curricular activities are available for children like Guillermo. These activities enable them to develop social skills, learn, work and play together, allowing them to live full, happy and balanced lives.





For more information about Compassion or to sponsor a child, visit their website www.compassionuk.org or call 01932 836490.