When Gil* and Fiona* first arrived in Back2Back’s classrooms in Cancún, they carried the weight of insecurity and silence.
Gil avoided eye contact, speaking only in short, hesitant answers. He felt isolated among his peers, unsure if his voice mattered. Fiona followed instructions carefully but grew quiet when asked to share her feelings. Asking for help felt impossible, and she often sat alone, her insecurities louder than her words. And without intervention, they could still be carrying these weights.
But because of your generosity, neither Gil nor Fiona was left to face those challenges alone.
Safe, trauma-informed teachers saw their potential and faithfully walked with them, day after day. They gently invited Gil to participate in group work, celebrating his small steps forward, reminding him with each step that he belonged. One teacher, Katy, took designated time to come alongside Fiona, patiently creating a safe space for her to practice naming and expressing emotions.
Little by little, both students opened up.
- Gil moved from whispering short replies to actively engaging in classroom discussions, becoming an enthusiastic young man his peers could look to as a friend.
- Fiona, once hesitant and reserved, found her confidence growing. When she recently celebrated her quinceañera, she proudly shared photos with her classmates, a first for her. It was a moment filled with joy, belonging, and courage.
Their teachers were deeply moved. “You could read joy on her face easily,” they said of Fiona. “That is something we will always celebrate.”
Today, Gil and Fiona are still growing and are no longer defined by silence or insecurity. Instead, they are stepping into who they were created to be: seen, heard, and confident.
And it’s because of you. Your prayer and financial partnership provided the safe environment and trusted adults they needed to heal and blossom. Today, there are more students just like Gil and Fiona, all around the world, waiting for someone to remind them they belong. Will you join us?
