'Unboundless Supported Me, So Now I Can Support Others'

Rosa Elena Cúmez Ixcoy still remembers the day she received her first letter from her sponsor. She was 8 years old, living in a small village in the highlands of Guatemala, where opportunities seemed as distant as the mountains on the horizon.

Today, Rosa works as a program coordinator for Unboundless in Guatemala, helping connect sponsored children with the resources and support that changed her own life. Her story is one of full circle—from beneficiary to advocate.

"When I was young, I never imagined I would be in this position. Unboundless gave me not just education, but the confidence to dream bigger. Now I wake up every day excited to help other children find their path."

From Scholarship Recipient to Staff Member

After completing her sponsorship at 18, Rosa was awarded a scholarship to study social work at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala. Throughout her studies, she volunteered with Unboundless, organizing community events and tutoring younger sponsored children.

"Upon graduation, Rosa was offered a full-time position. "It felt like coming home," she says. "I knew exactly what these children needed because I had been in their shoes."

Inspiring the Next Generation

Rosa now oversees programs for over 300 sponsored children in her region. She personally visits families, ensures children are attending school, and organizes workshops on nutrition, hygiene, and life skills.

"The best part of my job is seeing the hope in children's eyes when they realize someone across the world cares about them," Rosa shares. "That moment of connection—it changes everything."