Leonarda’s turn-around has been of the more special blessings for me to have witnessed over the past year and a half. Upon getting to know Leonarda at the end of last year I was deeply concerned for her. Leonarda could not read or write and did not show a sincere desire to work hard enough to change that. However, by about the mid-year point of last year Leonarda decided to really put forth the effort and make it a priority to finish her homework and actually learn what was being taught instead of just completing the task. This year Leonarda has started off much more strongly and that huge smile of her’s can be seen on her face on a more consistent basis.
Leonarda has told us that she enjoys math and coloring and like several of the other girls her age and would like to be a doctor when she grows up. Both of her parents live at home and leave early morning daily to find work to put food on the table. When not at school or in the Project Leonarda enjoys helping out around the house and playing games with the other kids. Now if she would just stop beating up the boys at school . . . 
More pictures of Leonarda taken throughout the year offered below.
