Meet Geyli: Our Sponsored Child From Bolivia Whose Story Inspires Hope

A Heart of Hope in Bolivia

At Lobster Roll Diary, we often write about food, family, and community — but our purpose goes far beyond our kitchen. Through our iCare initiative, we believe in feeding both body and soul. That’s why we’re honored to sponsor Geyli, a bright 4-year-old girl from Bolivia.

Geyli is small but spirited, full of creativity, curiosity, and joy. Her story reminds us every day why giving matters. Though her beginnings have been marked by hardship, her smile tells a story of resilience.

Meet Geyli 👧 Name: Geyli 🎂 Birthday: June 4, 2021 🏠 Country: Bolivia 👩‍👧 Guardian: Grandfather 🏫 School: Kindergarten 🎨 Favorite Subject: Art 💖 Hobbies: Drawing, walking, jumping

Every week, Geyli attends a child development center in her community where she receives nutritious meals, learns valuable lessons, and is encouraged to dream big. Her grandfather lovingly raises her and makes sure she can attend school and participate in local programs that nurture her growth.

She loves art most of all — coloring pictures of flowers, animals, and friends. Despite limited resources, she’s filled with creativity and curiosity, eager to learn and explore.

The Challenges of Growing Up in Bolivia

Quechua indigenous people

Bolivia is a land rich in culture, color, and community — yet many of its rural areas still struggle with deep poverty and limited access to basic needs.

• Lack of Nutrition: Nearly one-third of rural Bolivian families cannot afford a basic food basket. Malnutrition remains a concern, with child stunting rates reaching nearly 24% among children under five.

• Limited Opportunities: Many Bolivian families earn less than $1.25 per day, and over half are led by single mothers. To survive, some children leave school early to help earn income, limiting their chance to break the cycle of poverty.

• Education: Many families earn less than $1.25 per day. Without financial support, children often leave school early to help earn income.

These realities are what make support programs like the one helping Geyli so vital — they give children a chance to learn, grow, and believe in a brighter future.

How Sponsorship Makes a Difference

Through her local child development center, Geyli receives:

🍎 Nutritious meals twice a week — egg sandwiches, fruit, oatmeal, vegetable soup, lentil burgers, salad, and rice.

📚 Educational support — school supplies, tutoring, and a safe place to learn.

💊 Health checkups — ensuring she stays healthy and strong.

🧵 Skills and mentorship — her community also offers vocational training for parents, helping families build sustainable incomes.

These small, consistent acts of care add up to something powerful — hope that multiplies across generations.

Why We Chose to Sponsor

At Lobster Roll Diary and through our iCare mission, we believe food is more than nourishment — it’s a bridge. Every meal we serve in our restaurant reminds us that countless children around the world are still hungry, not only for food but also for opportunity and love.

Sponsoring Geyli allows us to live out our values beyond our walls. It’s our way of saying that success means more when it’s shared.

A Message to Our Readers

Each time you visit our restaurant, merchandise shop, read our stories, or support our mission, you’re helping extend this circle of care. You’re part of Geyli’s journey, too.

Through your loyalty and encouragement, we’re able to give back and empower children like her to dream, learn, and thrive.

Closing Thoughts

As Geyli journeys towards turning five, we picture her sitting in class, crayons in hand, drawing her favorite things — flowers, sunshine, and smiles. Her grandfather watches proudly, knowing she’s getting a chance he once only dreamed of.

For us, that’s what the iCare mission is all about: using what we have to make a difference, one life at a time. From Falls Church, Virginia to the mountains of Bolivia, kindness knows no borders.