Angel Escalante is a man with big dreams, but that wasn’t always the case. As a child growing up in a dangerous neighborhood in the city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, crime, drugs, and violence were commonplace. Shaped by what he witnessed all around him and without much hope for a different future, young Angel began stealing from his mother and gambling the money away. Looking back now, he sees the dark path this could have led him down.
At six years old, Angel was sponsored into Compassion’s child development program through a local church. Through his sponsorship, he received healthy meals, education, medical care, and clothing. He learned to use the computer, play drums and guitar, and be a strong leader. Above all, he learned to dream.
After high school, Angel was invited into Compassion’s leadership development program, which gave him the opportunity to earn an accounting degree. He now works as an auditor for the government and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Audit and Business Administration.
Angel and his wife still live in Santo Domingo. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he is a gifted public speaker who enjoys sharing with people from all walks of life about motivation, personal growth, and making a difference in the lives of others.
Angel hasn’t stopped dreaming. He looks forward to operating his own business someday, helping others to manage their resources and empowering underprivileged children, just as others did for him.