Do you remember Yermina from Ryan Church’s story? Here is her story in her own words.*
Showing hints of a wary smile, young Yermina was burdened by concerns for her younger siblings and grief over
her father when she came to COTN.
Hello, my name is Yermina Cuevas Matos. I am 26 years old, I was born in the community of Robles, I have six
[siblings], five boys and one female; I am the second [oldest]. . . .
The most difficult time was when my dad died, often we had nothing to eat. . . . I had many siblings, and sometimes
my grandmother and uncles got mad at my siblings and would hit them. . . . After my dad died, I had an empty place
in my heart that could not be filled, and my siblings were my responsibility while my mother worked. It [is] so sad
when you want to help someone and don't have the resources.
I learned about Children from the Nations when I was nine years old. Since then I started attending school in the Robles
community. At such a young age, my life was full of confusion and emptiness. I was in great pain because I had lost my
father that I loved so much. I was not a person who smiled, I had no friends, and I would always be alone until I found
Children from the Nations where I always found smiles.
Yermina learned to smile thanks to partners like you.
My life began to change; it began to make sense because, through Children of the Nations, I was able to meet Jesus at
the age of 13. . . .
I remember that on that day there was a cousin of mine preaching and after preaching he asked, “Who wants to give his
life or her life to the Lord?” I just remember that my heart made a noise like “boom!” I was a little bit nervous and started
to sweat. I remember listening to a word in my ear that was telling me “Do it, do it.” So I was embarrassed and I didn’t
want to raise my hand. After that I was in another service. . .they did the same call, and then I said, “Okay, I accept the
Lord.” So then I went and received Jesus. . . .
Since that time my life has changed; I would go on to move to Barahona to continue my studies in [high school] and then
later at the University.
In January 2010, after the earthquake in Haiti, I started volunteering in COTN’s office. From there, the doors opened up,
an opportunity to work full time in the reception area presented itself, and I qualified as a full-time COTN employee. I really
feel very grateful to God and Children of the Nations for giving me the opportunity to grow.
In 2010, a devastating earthquake affected Haiti and parts of the Dominican Republic.
At that time, I was able to enter the University with a scholarship from Children of the Nations, who granted a scholarship for
two years. Then another. . .opportunity opened that I could qualify for and where I would have a beautiful experience.
I love working with children, and more so with children with many needs, like those in our communities. It was a beautiful
experience to be able to meet the needs of many children in our communities.
The most important thing I feel I have is love for what I do and integrity, and therefore, I feel I can convey this to our children,
so that they can always show their beautiful smiles wherever they go.
Today, Yermina is the Transitions Coordinator for COTN–Dominican Republic. She helps young people make the transition from
high school to adult life. Here she's with Sylvia Taussig (COTN University/Vocational Program Manager) and some COTN University
/Vocational students.
Today, I still feel blessed by Papa God. When I started with COTN, I came in with a lot of love and gave all my time without expecting
anything in return. For this reason, I feel that God continues to bless me now. I am in a new position that I really feel identified with
because I work with people in my generation, young people who grew up with me, many of whom I know very well, and something
I like is to motivate and lead.
I feel that God has made me a mentor for these university students, a vocational mentor so they can meet their goals. I hope to give
everything so that the University/Vocational Program can grow more and more and can achieve its objective and its vision, which is to
raise children who can transform their communities.
With my story, I can motivate others to learn to serve without receiving anything in return, when we do this Papa God will give us all
the best opportunities.
Yermina now helps students who are just like she was—in need of a reason to smile. But she couldn’t have done this without the help
of partners like you. From now until August 15, if you give to our Double Your Donation challenge, your gift—up to $300,000—will be
matched to provide even more attention to education, medical care, food, counseling, discipleship, and other care for children who,
like Yermina, just need the opportunity to reveal their potential.
*Based on a 2015 interview and a recent letter Yermina wrote to share her story.