Quotable kids and their fathers

1. Thatiana, 7, and Remberto (father)  

Thatiana lives with her sisters and her parents in San Pedro Pinula, Guatemala. Her favourite thing to do is take care of animals, she loves her pets, and she loves music. Thatiana plays güiro with her father, Remberto, who is a local Christian musician. Thatiana began at the Compassion centre when she was three years old; now, she is seven.

Questions for Thatiana Virula  

What's something your father always says to you?  

My daddy always tells me that I must do my homework, but not all the time. He also tells me that he loves me.  

What makes your father happy?  

I play soccer with my daddy—that makes him happy.  

What do you and your father like to do together?  

My family and I have a church band, so I love to play music with my daddy leading the group.  

How do you know your father loves you?  

I know that my father loves me when he plays with me and hugs me.  

What’s your favourite memory with your father?  

On my last birthday, we went to the park and played with my sisters. I love the park.  

Thank you, dad, for...  

Thank you, Daddy, for playing with me, making me happy, and taking me to the park, pool and soccer field.  

Questions for Remberto Virula, Thatiana’s father  

What’s your dream for your child?  

My dream for Thatiana is to stay involved in the Christian life, to be a professional and to keep playing music.   

How will Compassion’s support help them to pursue that dream?  

Supporting my child spiritually, making her responsible, and leading her to a better life.  

What are you experiencing now that wouldn’t have been possible before without the project’s support?  

Life can be hard. The centre supports us in many ways; I am so thankful to the centre.  

What do you think your most important role is as a father?  

Being a good example to the children, teaching the Word of God and the joy to follow Him.  

What’s your favourite memory of your child? Your proudest moment?  

Her last birthday was so special, with a cake and piñata. It was an extraordinary moment for me. The proudest moment is when Thatiana began her studies.  

What’s something you wish your father had said to you?  

I wish that my father had led me to the Christian life.  

What’s something you always tell your child?  

To always behave well. I understand she is a child, a girl with tons of energy, but she always needs to have good behaviour at any place.  

What advice do you give them?  
My advice is to have a good relationship with God, be obedient, educated and always have good behaviour at any place.  
 

2. José, 15, and Rene, José’s father  

José was enrolled at the centre when he was six years old. Now 15, he loves the centre's technical projects. José received a scholarship to study computing to support his father. René, his father, suffered an electrical accident when he was a child, and sadly, he lost his arms and legs. Despite that, René works as any person does.  

Questions for José Segura  

What's something your father always says to you?  

My father always tells me that I must be obedient. Don't do bad things because bad things don't have excellent benefits in my life.  

What makes your father happy?  

What makes my father happiest is when I obey his advice and when I have good grades.  


What is your father good at?  

My father is really good at fixing electronics and giving me useful advice.   

What do you and your father like to do together?  

We love to work together and feed the chickens.  

What's your favourite memory with your father?  

My favourite memory was when we went to the water-hole we were so happy playing together.   

Thank you, dad, for...  

Being patient with me, thanks for loving me and supporting me to be a good student. I know sometimes I'm stubborn or strong-headed, but you still love me. Thank you, Dad.   

Questions for Rene Segura, José’s father  

What's your dream for your child?  

My dream for my José is seeing him graduate from high school and university.  

How will Compassion's support help them to pursue that dream?  

[Compassion] is supporting the computing scholarship and with his spiritual life.  

What are you experiencing now that wouldn't have been possible before without the project's support?  

If the centre wouldn't be in the community, José would dedicate himself to work without studying.  


What do you think your most important role is as a father?  

The most important role is to give guidance and be an educated person in the community.  

What's your favourite memory of your child? Your proudest moment?  

The favourite moment was when he began school. He quickly learned how to read.  

What's something you wish your father had said to you?  

I wish my father congratulated me on achievements in life, even though I don't have arms or legs.  

What's something you always tell your child?  

Keep going, be a better person, and always do excellent work.  

What advice do you give them?  

My advice is to learn the most he can at school and surpass me to achieve more than me and be a good professional when he grows up.