Par la Fondation Internationale du Bon Pasteur
“My life has been difficult, but hope, dreams, and resilience have carried me forward”.
Judith, 24 years old, lives in the city of Sucre, Bolivia. With inner strength, she has always shown optimism and determination, even in the most difficult circumstances. From a very young age, she had a clear goal: to study hard and become a great businesswoman in order to help her mother provide for the family, since they lived on very limited resources and often struggled to put food on the table.
That reality prompted her to dream of a different future, one to which she could contribute, and which would ease her family’s financial burden. Her desire to study was a true act of love for her mother and was rooted in the hope of offering her family a more dignified life. One of her greatest aspirations was to buy her mother a little house, a place of their own where they could live in peace and security.
To contribute to the family’s income, Judith decided to work at a very young age. But this situation affected her physical and emotional well-being. She was exhausted and did not have enough time to rest or focus fully on her studies. Even though she did not complain and felt she was contributing something valuable to her family, she was often invaded by the fear that she would not achieve her dreams. Early work robbed her of the time and energy she needed to study, making her doubt whether she would ever become the entrepreneur she so longed to be.
Judith carried a burden that became even heavier when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. And the day she lost her mother, everything changed. The strength and motivation that had driven her to pursue her studies vanished. She felt that her life had lost all meaning. She remembers sitting in her room, in silence, with tears in her eyes, asking herself: “Why go on if my mum is no longer here?”
The companionship and comfort of her aunts and cousins were invaluable and helped her from being overwhelmed by her loss. With the help of a neighbor, who knew about her family’s difficult situation, she also joined Chalice sponsorship project run by Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. From the very first moment, she was warmly welcomed into a safe space where she could be heard, openly express her emotions, and receive the support she desperately needed.
The project also provided her with education, food, healthcare, and psychosocial support, which significantly lightened her daily burden and allowed her to focus more on her studies. She participated in personal development activities and awareness workshops that strengthened her self-esteem and renewed her motivation. Little by little, she found meaning again in life and decided to keep fighting for her dreams, with the faith that her mum would see her achieve them from heaven. It was at this moment that despair gave way to hope, and loss became a driving force.
“Sometimes we don’t choose what life gives us, but we can choose not to give up and fight for what we dream of.”
Today, Judith is an active member of the Chalice university group, and for a year, she took on the role of leader, guiding with empathy and commitment other young people facing difficult situations. She is also about to complete her degree in Business Administration. She has grown enormously, not only academically but also as a person. She is an independent young woman, confident in herself, with a clear vision for her future.
Her daily life now focuses on finishing her studies, supporting other young people like her, and continuing her training to achieve her goals. The journey was not easy, but it has shown that perseverance, accompanied by love and support, can open new doors for transformative change.
This article was first published by GSIF, here: www.gsif.it/storiesofchange/judith-bolivia
Learn more about the Good Shepherd mission in Bolivia and Chile here: www.buenpastor.cl
