ALPHANSO: S1016-KIA

Alphonso is a 14-year-old boy who, despite facing unimaginable hardships, continues to hold onto hope and dreams for the future. Currently in the 3rd grade, Alphonso’s educational journey has been anything but stable. He lives with his aunt and her seven children in a cramped, three-room mud house. Life has not been kind to Alphonso. Just three years ago, he lost both of his parents in tragic circumstances. His mother passed away during childbirth, and shortly after, his father suffered a heart attack and died unexpectedly. Since that devastating time, Alphonso has been passed from one family member to another, never able to settle for long due to a lack of resources in each home. Every six months or so, he finds himself living with someone new, trying to adjust to different environments, but always feeling the sting of instability. Despite these challenges, Alphonso holds onto a bright dream: he hopes to become a police officer when he grows up, a goal that keeps him focused on his education. When asked about his favorite meal, Alphonso’s answer was simple yet profound: “Anytime I can have food to eat, I am happy and it’s my favorite food.” In the midst of his difficult life, Alphonso values the small moments of comfort, finding joy in something as basic as a meal. Through it all, Alphonso remains resilient, determined not to let his circumstances define his future. With each new family he joins, he carries with him the hope that one day, his dreams of becoming a police officer will come true, and that he will one day have a stable home of his own. Sponsored by: