By Luvio Martino
My name is Luvio Martino, and I am 24 years old. My brother Medlin and I were accepted into the Marenn-Parenn program in 2002 when I was five years old. We lived with our father in a hut on an empty piece of land at Petite Place Cazeau during that time.
Our father did not have the means to feed us or send us to school. MAPA provided our daily meals and provided school fees and materials for me right at the onset of the sponsorship. Medlin used to accompany me to school every day for the first two years because no one was available to take care of him during the day. The principal of the school, a Christian lady, babysat him while I was in class.
My father was very sick and died in 2004. My brother and I found placement by MAPA's Project Director with another MAPA-sponsored family in the neighborhood. The organization continued to provide for us through our sponsors.
"I feel blessed to have been sponsored through MAPA's program. With all the help, I was able to finish Secondary School and learn a trade in installation of ceramic tiles."
I am currently living an independent life, managing my own business of selling soda and performing random jobs of ceramic tile installation. I've also been able to take care of my brother Medlin, who is currently completing his last year of Secondary School.
We are very grateful to Marenn-Parenn. As orphans at a young age, we would have never made it to where we are without the help and nurturing from the MAPA sponsors and leadership.