By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
What were you like at nine years old? What made you laugh? What did you dream about becoming? For most of us, childhood was filled with simple joys and small worries. But for Sandra, being nine years old meant making a decision that would shape the rest of her life.
After the loss of her parents, Sandra and her two younger sisters entered foster care in Colombia. Although life had changed dramatically, they were together, cared for by a loving foster family, and held onto the hope that one day they would be adopted.
Then came heartbreaking news.
A social worker explained that a family wanted to adopt Sandra's younger sisters—but not Sandra. They believed she was too old.
Sandra was asked an impossible question: would she allow her sisters to be adopted without her?
At just nine years old, she chose their future over her own.
"I wanted a better future and a better life for them," Sandra recalls. "So I said that was okay. I'd stay behind and figure something out for myself."
Her sisters left Colombia to begin a new life, while Sandra remained in foster care, still hoping that one day she, too, would find a family.
That opportunity arrived through Kidsave's Summer Miracles program.
Sandra traveled to Bogotá to join other children preparing to meet host families in the United States. For many of the youth, it was their first time leaving home. They attended orientation together, learned basic English, practiced everyday life skills, and prepared for the adventure ahead.
Her first Summer Miracles experience introduced her to life with a host family in the United States. Although that visit didn't lead to adoption, it gave Sandra something just as important—hope.
Two years later, she returned through the program for another summer.
This time, she stayed with the Coleman family in Iowa, where she experienced what family life could feel like—sharing everyday moments, making memories, and simply being a teenager. During her stay, she also met family friends, the Driscolls.
They immediately formed a connection.
When Sandra returned to Colombia at the end of the summer, she received life-changing news: the Driscolls wanted to adopt her.
Without hesitation, Sandra said yes.
Soon after, John, Kelly, and their daughter Riley traveled to Colombia to complete the adoption process and welcome Sandra into their family. Her first evening home in the United States happened to be Halloween. She watched snow fall for the very first time, picked out a costume, and went trick-or-treating with her new sister—a night she still remembers with joy.
The transition wasn't always easy, but Sandra never faced it alone. Her parents supported her every step of the way, helping her adjust to a new country while encouraging her to embrace both her Colombian heritage and her future.
Today, Sandra is thriving. She earned her bachelor's degree, remains incredibly close with her family, and hopes to give back by supporting older youth in foster care—the very children who inspired her own journey.
Looking back, Sandra reflects:
"I was just a little kid, but I think I made the best decisions I could make. It's been a great life for me so far."
Sandra's story is a powerful reminder that one summer can change a child's life forever.
Every year, Kidsave's Summer Miracles program gives older children in foster care—many between the ages of 9 and 15—the opportunity to spend several weeks with a host family in the United States. These experiences allow children to build meaningful connections and introduce them to families who may choose to adopt.
For many of these youth, Summer Miracles represents their best chance to find the permanent, loving family every child deserves.
Because of supporters like you, children like Sandra are given hope, belonging, and the opportunity to build a brighter future. Thank you for helping make these life-changing connections possible.
Links:
By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
