Yerly was hosted through the Kidsave Summer Miracles program in 2007 at the age of 7.

During the program she met her adoptive family, Lee and Tom Montgomery.  Now age 15, she is interning with the Kidsave Summer Miracles program in the Los Angeles office as a part of her eighth grade service project.

On July 3,  2015 Lauren Gordon took me to the airport in Los Angeles to welcome the kids that had flown all the way from Colombia for the Summer Miracles program.

I had so many emotions going through me. I was excited, nervous, curious, sad and mostly scared.  I was trying very hard to keep my cool.

Seeing all the kids brought up all kinds of memories.  When I traveled to the USA in 2007 to be a part of this same summer hosting program, I was very young.  I didn’t really understand or care what was happening just as long as I was getting sweet treats!

As the kids came off the plane, I could see their excitement and nervousness, and remembered experiencing those same feelings 8 years ago when I arrived in the US.

The kids were introduced to their host-families, and  when we told the kids it was time to go home with their host families, some of them started crying. 

I wanted to cry with them! I wanted to cry because I knew exactly what they were feeling.

Their friends are the only family they have ever had, so saying goodbye is extremely hard.  Even though interning this summer stirred up some difficult memories, I know that if I am given the chance, I will absolutely do it again.

The kids reminded me who I really am, a proud Colombian.

Now I’m dedicating myself to learn my Spanish again. I’m so thankful that Lauren shared this magical experience with me.