Content for this story was provided by our partner, Compassion International. For $38 a month, you can help rescue a child living in poverty. Visit Compassion.com/SportsSpectrum to help.
At just 4 years old, Carmen could split her legs like it was no big deal. Her mother marveled at her flexibility. Her father knew she was going to be something special.
“Since I saw my little girl doing some contortions and stretches, I knew she was going to stand out,” Carmen’s dad said.
As Carmen grew and continued practicing, she caught the attention a gymnastics coach in her Peruvian town. She had always looked up to and aspired to be like other gymnasts she watched, and this coach offered Carmen the opportunity to train with those girls.
“The teacher said it was only for skilled girls,” said Carmen’s mom, “and Carmen started to jump and show her skills. The teacher was very impressed but I didn’t have the money to enroll her in that club; however, she was granted a complete scholarship because she was really good!”
(Photo courtesy of Compassion International)
By the age of 10, Carmen was a member of a gymnastics club, training and competing all over Lima, Peru. During one of those competitions, she caught the attention of another trainer, who was awed by Carmen’s natural talent and passion. The coach offered to train her at the Peru Gymnastics Federation in Lima.
It was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. She trained for free and worked hard daily to improve her technique. But before long, money became an issue again. She couldn’t afford transportation to get to the gym.
“I remember Carmen was very sad,” said Maria, Carmen’s tutor. “She told me she couldn’t continue with gymnastics because her parents didn’t have money to pay for her transportation. But we told her to go on, that God would provide for her if He was leading her way.”
Through the generous support of donors giving money to Compassion International’s Sports Camps, Carmen’s Compassion Center in Peru was not only able to provide a way for Carmen to get to practice, but she could even receive a special meal daily.
Carmen with her trainers (Photo courtesy of Compassion International)
With the ability to continuing training, Carmen competed in Peru’s national championship for rhythmic gymnastics — and she became the national junior champion with gold medals in five categories. That qualified her for the 2017 South American Games in Ecuador.
She’s now among the four best gymnasts in Peru, receives specialized training, and will compete at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, where 41 countries will participate. If she fares well, she could qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“God and my family,” Carmen said when asked who is behind her achievements. “God has done so much in my life. He is helping me to overcome my fears and shyness and I am better every day. I am who I am thanks to Him.
“I am also thankful to my parents because they make an effort to cook my lunch every day very early in the morning and pick me up late at night when I finish my trainings.”
Carmen with her parents (Photo courtesy of Compassion International)
Her parents also taught her to seek and glorify the Lord. “We always tell her to pray to God and give Him the honor in everything she does,” Carmen’s dad said.
This is what can happen when you partner with Compassion International and support its mission of rescuing children from poverty in Jesus’ name — children can realize their potential.
“When Carmen joined the Compassion program, she had malnutrition and was very shy,” said Maria, Carmen’s Compassion tutor. “However, she was always showing what she can do with her legs and pirouettes; I was terrified to see a little girl so flexible and without pain.”
She’s now a national champion — and maybe one day soon an Olympian.
You can give children a hope more powerful than poverty by sponsoring a child today. Just $38 a month connects a child living in poverty with a loving, church-based Child Sponsorship Program. Click here to help rescue a child.
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