--- title: Colombian mother’s journey of transformation description: "Many of us make New Year's resolutions: eat healthy, get organized, save more, forget less. Even with the best of intentions, many resolutions fall by the wayside. If you've made a resolution, we want" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/01/27/colombian-mothers-journey-transformation#) # Colombian mother’s journey of transformation Jan 27, 2016 1:30:07 PM  |  by [Unbound](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/unbound) ![world view wednesdays redesign](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/world-view-wednesdays-redesign2-550x260-32.png?width=550&height=260&name=world-view-wednesdays-redesign2-550x260-32.png) Many of us make New Year's resolutions: eat healthy, get organized, save more, forget less. Even with the best of intentions, many resolutions fall by the wayside. If you've made a resolution, we want you to achieve it. Let the story of one mother's personal transformation inspire you to succeed in your own goals for 2016. Ana is a single mother from Colombia and has faced many challenges, personal and financial, in raising her 12-year-old daughter, Katherin. Katherin was [sponsored](https://www.unbound.org/?utm_source=cmom&utm_medium=blg&utm_campaign=cmom_refer_39563) by Manuela from New York six years ago through Unbound. The sponsorship came at a time of economic crisis for the family. ![Ana and Katherin go for a walk in their neighborhood.](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AnaAndDaughter-550x367.jpg?width=550&height=367&name=AnaAndDaughter-550x367.jpg) Ana and Katherin go for a walk in their neighborhood. Photo copyright 2016 Unbound. All rights reserved. "When my daughter became sponsored, I had no job, no money, therefore sponsorship was a blessing," Ana said. Ana admits that during that stressful time she acted in ways that made her relationships with her family and neighbors suffer. "I did not relate myself much with others because I was not nice at all," Ana said. "I know of many people that disliked me back then. Honestly, at that moment, I felt I did not care about that or them. To me, my life was first and everything else I did not care about." When she found out Katherin was going to be sponsored through Unbound, Ana was elated at the newfound financial support. She was less enthusiastic about the program requirement of taking part in a mothers' group and attending meetings and workshops with the group of women. "I disliked the idea of going," Ana said. "I didn't believe in those things. I always felt that it was my personality and nothing was going to change me." It was through those workshops planned by the mothers' group that Ana began a process of personal transformation. In one of the workshops a family psychologist talked to the group of mothers about healthy dialogue, anger, respect and empathy. The mothers had a chance to share about their own experiences, and Ana found she wasn't alone in her struggles. "In the end, it wasn't really hard [to change], because I decided I wanted to change after I started attending the different lectures and workshops we received," Ana said. "… All this made me moderate my personality, which only brought tranquility and love into my family. My circle of friends has grown, and that makes me happy." ![Ana helps Katherin with her homework.](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Homework-550x367.jpg?width=550&height=367&name=Homework-550x367.jpg) Ana helps Katherin with her homework. Photo copyright 2016 Unbound. All rights reserved. According to Ana, some of the most valuable things she has learned are "to control myself in moments of anger, to avoid venting my problems over others and to value my life, my family and especially my daughter, Katherin, because she is the engine of my life." Perhaps the best part about Ana's self-transformation is that she is able to pass on the lessons she learned to her daughter. "Throughout the years, Unbound has become a home and its members are my family," Ana said. "My daughter is happy because I have taught her to appreciate everything she receives, especially those benefits that transform us." **Help someone become an agent of positive change in their own life. [Sponsor today](https://www.unbound.org/?utm_source=cmom&utm_medium=blg&utm_campaign=cmom_refer_39563).** *Copyright 2016 Unbound* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F27%2Fcolombian-mothers-journey-transformation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F27%2Fcolombian-mothers-journey-transformation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F27%2Fcolombian-mothers-journey-transformation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Colombian%20mother%E2%80%99s%20journey%20of%20transformation) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F27%2Fcolombian-mothers-journey-transformation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F01%2F27%2Fcolombian-mothers-journey-transformation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Unbound](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/UnboundLogo_Media_FullColor_Vertical.png) ### [Unbound](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/unbound) [Unbound](http://www.unbound.org) is an international nonprofit founded by lay Catholics grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first. We build relationships of mutual respect and support that bridge cultural, religious and economic divides. We bring people together to challenge poverty in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We invite you to join us. Find us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sponsorachild), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/unboundorg/), and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UnboundOrg). [**](https://www.facebook.com/sponsorachild) ## Related Blog Articles [ Find New Year Resolution Success in Your Words Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/01/01/find-new-year-resolution-success-in-your-words) [ Resolved - Making the Most of 2013 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/01/01/resolved-making-the-most-of-2013) [ A resolution to run Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/01/25/a-resolution-to-run) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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