Alexander Castillo knows loss. He knows struggle. And he knows triumph.
“He is a remarkable example, not only for me, but also for others — how he has fought and achieved so much,” says Morena, the Compassion center tutor whom Alexander fondly calls “Sister Morena.” She nurtured and mentored Alexander when he was a child in the sponsorship program.
Alexander first tasted loss when he was 12 and his father died. After that, Alexander lost time with his mother, who had to take a job out of town to provide for her son.
“I would only see her every 15 days,” Alexander remembers.
As his home life grew lonelier, Alexander’s Compassion center became a haven. It was a place where he was encouraged to hope and dream.