Nine-year-old Ana Chiroy is the youngest of five children. Her mother is a housewife, and her father is a gas station attendant.

Ana began first grade in 2003, but because of a language problem she failed that year. At that time, she began language therapy at Common Hope for problems she has with articulation. Favia, our language therapist, says Ana has difficulty pronouncing some letters.  They worked on articulation and practiced lip, tongue, and breathing exercises. Ana repeated first grade this year in a remedial classroom in the mornings, and - with the help of her parents, teachers, brothers, and sisters - did even better than her fellow classmates.

Her family has promised to give Ana unconditional help academically, economically, and emotionally. In spite of her difficulties, she was the top student in the third quarter, which she was very excited about. Her teacher says he admires Ana, as she has good self-confidence and is well balanced. He says her family is very united and a good example for other families.

In August 2004, she received an invitation from the city council to attend a special ceremony dedicated to the top students from every school. In September, she received another invitation to attend an Independence Day celebration because of her academic achievements.

This year, Ana will be attending second grade. She is very excited, and her family is very pleased with her performance in school. Ana says her favorite class is painting, and she is dreaming big dreams—when she grows up, she hopes to be a doctor.

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