Sharon Lizcano Tellez, an Au Pair from Colombia, bravely saved 8-month old twins from a distracted driver during a routine walk in her neighborhood. Sharon, who has been living with her Host Family in Philadelphia and caring for the twin babies for the past five months, was crossing a street at a cross walk with a fellow Au Pair when she realized the van coming on their direction would not stop in time. Reacting quickly, she protected one of the babies by shifting her body and absorbing the brunt of the impact on her left side, away from the baby. Luckily the second baby was not hit. Sharon was sent to the nearby CVS minute clinic and later to the ER for scans and x-rays and is now doing better; fortunately, aside from some cuts and bruises, no one else was injured.

An Au Pair is a foreign young adult who leaves their native country, for up to two years, to come live in the United States as a live-in care provider for a Host Family. In exchange for their work, the Au Pair receives a small stipend, room and board. Sharon has worked as an Au Pair in Holland and is now an Au Pair in the United States through Go Au Pair, a Department of State designated agency.

The heroism displayed by Sharon is extraordinary, but those who know Sharon were not surprised, "Sharon is a very loving and caring Au Pair with a lot of experience. I am not surprised that she saved my child’s life because [that’s] the type of the person Sharon is. We are extremely lucky to have her as a nanny for our kids and as a family member as well," shared Sharon's host mom Mrs. Walker.

The family is very thankful and said Sharon deserved to be honored and rewarded. They are looking forward to spending both years of Sharon’s J-1 Au Pair visa with her. In her short time as an Au Pair for the Walker Family, Sharon has developed a special connection with her family and the children she cares for. She says that the babies were so little and vulnerable that she didn’t hesitate to offer herself as a shield, "A protective feeling grew inside me. In the time I’ve spent with these babies I have learned to understand them and love them as my own. They arouse, in my heart, this special motherly feeling [and all I want is to] take care of them as my own sons. I feel like I am part of this family, they are concerned about my feelings. I am very happy with my decision and thank God that [He] has guided me through my steps"

The whole purpose of the Au Pair program is to build long lasting relationships that go beyond child care responsibilities. Go Au Pair is extremely impressed and value Sharon’s great courage.