Written by Claire Morgan

Riding a bike.

It’s a core memory for almost every single one of us.

I’m going to take us back there for a quick moment.

Imagine yourself getting onto the seat and your parent is right next to you.

You start pedaling and pushing and pushing and pushing until it feels like you’re flying.

You look quickly to the side to see your parent and notice that they have let go.

You did it.

You finally know how to ride a bike on your own.

I want you to hold onto that rush of euphoria and emotion–that feeling of freedom, confidence, and being capable….

everyone deserves that.

But not every child gets the opportunity to feel that way.

Globally, over 400 million children are living in extreme poverty.

About 36% of children in Paraguay, alone, live in these poor conditions.

These kids lack basic school supplies, like pencils, notebooks, and backpacks. But most importantly, they lack recognition and encouragement in their education.

IT’S ABOUT FEELING SEEN.

When these kids aren’t able to get a proper education due to the lack of tools and a support system, they end up working and dropping out of school to help their family.

And this isn’t rare–it’s systematic.

The work we do for these children, as ambassadors, is something so special and important. The kids feel the recognition they deserve and together, we become the catalyst for change they need.

One Backpack. One Moment.

I, personally, was one of the Ambassadors who went to Paraguay in 2024.We traveled to a school called San Cosme and delivered backpacks to all of the kids there. While the backpack itself and the contents inside are important, it’s not only that.

This photo is of me, and this is the little girl to whom I gave the backpack to. One by one, she pulled out the items in the bag.

Each item she would stop, look at it, show her mom, smile, then start playing with/using it. Then she would move on to the next item and do the same thing.

FOR EVERY. SINGLE. ITEM.

HER EYES WOULD LIGHT UP.

I looked over at her mom, and she was also beaming. They were grateful for every small thing in that bag, and it was indescribable. No one had ever shown up for her like that before.

Until now.

As I stood there, unable to say anything, I was hit by a huge rush of emotions–a mix of fulfillment and gratification that I couldn’t fully process, but I didn’t want it to leave.

This is only one kid.

One parent.

One moment.

But there are hundreds of other families we reach with these backpacks who experience moments just like this.

THIS IS IMPACT.

Not only in San Cosme, but also in rural schools like Pindo–where some communities have never received outside support.

This is one of the most rural schools in Paraguay, and it’s tucked very far away from almost everything. They haven’t received government help or aid, and no one has shown up for them. Now, they could start to believe there are people who care for them.

This is impact.

Not only are the backpacks important for the children to feel seen and be given resources they don’t have access to, it also encourages them to have a passion for education. It opens a door for us to talk about the importance of education which is a staple in the development and flourishing of kids.

Without access to resources and ongoing support, it becomes a challenge to stay in school. Studies show students with strong and supportive learning environments are 2-3 times more likely to succeed academically.

They could to begin to believe it is possible for them to learn.

They can do anything.

In some of these rural areas, only 45% of students finish elementary school. With our help, these kids GET that support.

All starting from a backpack.

I CAN.

Now, I want you to go back to that moment on the bike.

That second when you realized–you could do it.

You were capable.

You were free.

Now imagine never getting that moment at all.

That’s the reality for many of these kids, and it doesn’t have to be.

You have the chance to be the push that gets them started.

To be the reason they keep going.

To be the people who show them that they can.

WHEN YOU JOIN THE MOVEMENT…

When you join the movement, you’re giving a child their first moment of “I can.”