Big Hello from the Mountains of Colorado!

Hello! I’m Katie Rivera, a proud new member of the Deaf Child Hope International team, a mother of a Deaf child, and a former teacher of Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. I’m excited to share my journey of how God led me to this incredible organization and how I became part of its mission to transform the lives of Deaf children living in poverty through Deaf child sponsorship.

Our Adoption Story: From Colombia to Colorado

About a year ago, my family adopted our son Martin from Colombia. His moderate-to-severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not discovered until we met him. But to us, this diagnosis was nothing short of a miracle.

Our adoption journey began in May 2017. As a teacher of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, I felt called to adopt a child with hearing loss. Initially, we were told that no Deaf children in Colombia were available within our approved age range. Eventually, we were matched with Martin due to a different medical concern, and after months of waiting, we traveled to Colombia to meet him.

Within hours of meeting Martin, it became apparent that he had hearing loss due to his lack of language. Upon returning to Colorado, an audiologist confirmed moderate-to-severe hearing loss. Martin was two years old at the time, and we immediately sought early intervention to give him the tools to communicate and thrive.

God’s Plan and a New Purpose

Today, Martin is flourishing. He uses ASL, wears hearing aids and glasses, and loves biking, hiking, and playing with his siblings. His journey reminded me of the countless Deaf children around the world without language or resources. Many are overlooked, living without the love and support they need to thrive.

Through prayer, God led me to Deaf Child Hope International. Their mission aligns with my passion for empowering Deaf children. I felt called to make a difference and knew this was my opportunity to give back.

The Impact of Deaf Child Sponsorship

Deaf child sponsorship changes lives. At just $38 a month, sponsors provide Deaf children with education, resources, and hope for a brighter future. With $48 a month, you can sponsor a teacher, positively impacting an entire classroom and community.

Sponsorship creates life-changing opportunities for children like Martin—children who deserve language, love, and a chance to thrive.

If you’d like to be part of this transformative mission, please prayerfully consider sponsoring a Deaf child today. Your support makes all the difference.

Join the Mission & Scripture for Encouragement

As I raise my salary to continue working with Deaf Child Hope, I’ve found strength in these verses. They remind me—and I hope they encourage you—that God is always in control:

• “Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14
• “I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” — Acts 20:35
• “Be brave and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

To learn more about Deaf child sponsorship or to make a donation, please contact us at [email protected]. Let’s work together to bring help and hope to Deaf children in need around the world.