Blog | Page 2 of 4 | Care for Kids La Paz

Taking It To The Streets

October 21, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Basic Health Care

According to Mexico’s constitution, all citizens are entitled to health care benefits from the government and, as of now, have access to basic healthcare services. At least on paper.

The healthcare system is divided. There is one for government workers (IMSS), one for workers of the private sector (ISSSTE) and one for those who aren’t covered by the former two (Seguro Popular). Each has a budget, hospitals and separate clinics. However, challenges to this system is substantial, especially for the poor who may have to pay out-of-pocket for drugs, procedures and surgeries that either clinics, hospitals or their health plan don’t provide. If the cost is an amount a patient can’t afford, the patient doesn’t get treated. Private hospitals, doctors and health insurance exist but the cost is prohibitive to those with few resources. So, you can imagine my delight when I received an email from Dr. Jose Luis Ortega, a paediatrician in La Paz, who, for many years, has been treating children from Vista Hermosa in his office for free. However, more often than not, parents in that community missed their appointments. Whatever the reason, Dr. Ortega said if the children couldn’t come to him, he’d go to the children. Once a month. Every month. A small Christian church, right in the heart of an area filled with kids, opened their doors for this very compassionate doctor. While he was consulting with babies to teens, a volunteer from our charity was handing out oranges, bananas and apples he bought for this occasion. Even a small step can provide a big impact in delivering medical care and the gift of love to those with few resources! More photos here.

Sleep and Smile

Riding in her bright yellow wheelchair, Norma is difficult to miss. With the help of her brother and the community, she is able to live independently. She asked our charity if we could help her with a new pair of shoes because the ones she had were held together with gum. We found her a pair of slip-on rubber soled tennis shoes, which fit her like a glove and brought a beautiful smile to her face.

We spend about a third of every day in bed. What you siesta on can impact your sleep. Many of us have the luxury of spending it blissfully slumbering on a comfortable bed. What if your mattress was old and saggy or even wet? Or three of your kids were sleeping with you because there was only one mattress? Or you slept on a dirt floor? Unimaginable, isn’t it? In many of the poorer communities, this is not uncommon. Our charity recently delivered a number of mattresses to happy children who could finally get a good night’s sleep. Sleep and smile…such simple things! More photos here.

Love Comes In Different Sizes

We love it when we receive donations of school supplies and other goodies because it gives us an excuse to take to the streets to meet the most adorable kids and their families where they live. Two thumbs up to clients of Tailhunter International Sportfishing for their generous donations of school supplies, shoes, toys, personal hygiene items, new and used clothing and empty wooden cigar boxes, beautifully decorated, that were snapped up rather quickly. More photos here.

Moms and Babes

Gris is a very valued volunteer who has been with our charity since its inception in 2005. Twice a week, she teaches young moms (and grandmothers) with newborns to 4 years the necessary skills to help their children develop cognitively, socially, physically and emotionally. Gris, with her love for children and her warm personality, is the perfect person to help these mothers and their adorable children. Thanks to a donation from clients of Tailhunter International Sportsfishing, we were able to supply her program with crayons and drawing material. Check out adorable kids here.

Fourth Annual Christmas Food Drive

Hunger is a real problem in the outlying communities of La Paz. Many families in the community Vista Hermosa reside in homes built of tin, pieces of wood, and cardboard. Some have dirt floors. They live without electricity, piped-in water or basic sewage.

Last year we raised enough money to buy 230 food hampers that consisted of dry goods and personal hygiene items. This year we’re aiming for 300 families. Each hamper costs $25.00 or 450 pesos.

Will you help us reach our goal?

Donations can be made through the website, Care for Kids La Paz , in either Canadian or US dollars, on our Facebook page or in La Paz at Allende Books (125-9114)

Allende Books: Independencia 518 between Prieto and Serdan Open 10-6

Mon-Sat

Thank you for wanting to make Christmas special for those who have so little.

Investing in a Child’s Future

September 18, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Academic Achievement

Congratulations to Brayan, Estefanía, and Jennifer, three of our scholarship students, for receiving diplomas in their school year for academic achievement. We are very proud of them!

Mattress Run

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep!

We delivered a mattress to a young boy who was sleeping on the floor and to a family of eight where Tropical Storm Lidia became a running river through their home.

Guess Who Got New School Shoes?

Ready To Learn

Just before classes began at the end of August and after classes were in session, generous clients of Tailhunter International Sportfishing donated a huge amount of school supplies.

We’re investing in the future of children by giving them the tools they need to finish school and have successful lives.

Free school supplies can also help ease the burden of school costs for children in need.

Our hope is that every student sees its benefit, works hard and succeeds in life. More photos here and here.

Let’s Play

Our monthly event gives kids the opportunity to engage in races, games, and drawing and to leave with prizes, popcorn and a good time. A big thank you to clients of Tailhunter International Sportfishing for donating the prizes.

More photos here.

Solar Reading Lamps

Trevor Brown, the founder of Baja Connections, a responsible tourism business, has pledged to purchase one rechargeable solar lamp for every whale shark tour they do. We will distribute these lamps to school age children who don’t have electricity in their homes. Baja Connections offers snorkelling, diving, whale watching and whale shark tours in La Paz.

If you’ve never snorkelled with a whale shark,
the biggest and most docile fish in the ocean, you’ve never really snorkelled. Visit La Paz, swim with these gentle giants and help distribute a lamp to a child.

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The Face of An Angel

Our hearts are saddened by the passing of precious, little 10-year old Vania, who recently died of an inoperable brain tumour. Vania was such a blessing to everyone who met her and she will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, who have lost such a beautiful princess.

Summer’s Finally Here!

June 4, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

This newsletter marks the end of the school year as summer holidays are a breath away. Why is it that time drags on when you want something to happen but moves at a quicker and quicker pace when you’re not paying attention?

Our focus has been on a number of events:

We have continued to give younger children an outlet essential for their developing brains through our after school activities – reading, toys, books, and games – and monthly play events. If you stimulate a child’s mind, he or she will grow up to be engaged and excited about the world.

Fifteen students are receiving scholarships, seven in junior high and eight in high school. One student, Brandon, has graduated this year with plans to join the military.

It’s a good option for a young person who may not have the money to attend university or the marks to get in. Brandon has always been a very hard worker, employed part-time to help support his family of eight while going to school. The fact that he even completed high school is a tribute to his determination and dedication!

At Christmas, thanks to generous donors, we were able to deliver 174 food hampers to families. And throughout the year, we have provided food, portable propane stoves and tanks, school shoes, uniforms and school supplies to families in dire need.

Not to mention, celebrating Christmas and Mother’s Day with our volunteers to thank them for their hard work and dedication to our mission.

We’ve also received a ton of donations – school supplies, crayons, colouring books, personal hygiene articles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sheets, blankets, pillows, girls’ hair stuff, soccer balls, soccer clothing and shoes, cleats, mattresses, solar reading lamps, and so much more – from visitors to La Paz. In fact, we just received and handed out a gazillion goodies donated from clients of Tailhunter International Sportfishing. More photos here.

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The Faces of Angels

An hour of fun with kids participating in sack races, Pie Face, colouring, Loteria and Kickball (futbeis in Mexico) with rules similar to baseball except a soccer ball is used instead of a bat. An event isn’t really over until treats are handed out: the delicious, refreshing drink Jamaica, bags of popcorn and prizes. Happy children make our hearts soar! More photos here.

All our volunteers, students and I are looking forward to kicking back. On behalf of our families, we thank you for all your emails, support and donations. Although we’re taking a break from writing newsletters, please follow us on Facebook.

God bless you.

Barbara

Inspiring Hope

May 24, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Love to Play

Kids love being creative and using their imagination. And they just love to play. Our charity started an After School program for kids from kindergarten to the end of elementary school in order to brighten and uplift the lives of children who live in poverty and deprivation.

What better way for our scholarship students to give back to the community than to commit their four hours of volunteer service a month to engage in play with these children. There are no specific qualifications except to be enthusiastic, show up on time and strive to be good role models.

Alanis entered our scholarship program last August with exceptionally high grades. He thinks community service is a good thing and he enjoys helping the kids with math, reading, memory games, jigsaw puzzles, painting…anything that will be a benefit for them. Some proudly receive gold stars on their forehead when they
master some skill!

A number of children who attend the After School program

are from difficult backgrounds. They have not had the best start in life. Our scholarship students, like Alanis, have the opportunity to improve things, little by little, with their love, commitment, care and energy. Community service can not only make a difference in someone else’s life but our students’ lives as well.

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The Face of Angels: Profile of Alanis – 13 years

CFKLP: Please tell the readers a bit about your family?

Alanis: I live with my father, mother and younger sister. My dad’s a construction worker by trade but because he can’t find work, he’s working in a restaurant cleaning and doing other things. My mom takes care of us.

CFKLP: What is the most important thing your parents have taught you?

A: They taught me values and my rights. Also, to be respectful with them, the right to education, and to help around the house.

CFKLP: What does education mean to you?

A: It gives someone the opportunity to get ahead and to be somebody in life.

CFKLP: I know you’re still young but do you have any dreams for your future?

A: I want a good career and to be able to help my family. Both my mother and father went as far as junior high. I thought I would like to be a military engineer but not now. To be a military engineer, I would have to leave La Paz and I want to stay close to my family.

CFKLP: What makes you proud of yourself?

A: I’m very positive. Even if bad things happen, I keep smiling. Tomorrow will be better. I learned this by myself. In school, they teach us to be positive, arrange things with words and not with fists.

CFKLP: Your marks are excellent. Does that make you proud?

A: My favourite subject is biology. That’s another reason why I changed my mind about being an engineer. The transition from primary school to junior high has been easy for me.

CFKLP: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I play soccer with friends and watch TV.

CFKLP: Tell us about your community service and what you think of doing community service.

A: It’s a good thing. There are people who are old and sick and community service can help them. My community service is helping in the after school program the charity started. I play with the kids who come, help them with math, and try to do things with them that will be a benefit for them like memory games, jigsaw puzzles, multiplication games and sometimes they paint.

CFKLP: If you had all the money and time in the world, what would you like to do?

A: Basically, I’d like to give something back to society like giving away money to people in need, help with housing, maybe create some program that helps a lot of people. I’ve also been seeing these 3D machines that can create fake skin that can actually be transplanted into humans. They’re just researching this but it fascinates me.

CFKLP: What does poverty mean to you? How would you describe it?

A: I don’t think my family is in poverty because my parents have been providing me with food and a house. But there are others who lack resources to feed themselves. I’d like to provide them and help them with what they need.

CFKLP: If you were the President of Mexico, what would you change to make this country a better place to live?

A: I’d try not to engage in more corruption to benefit myself. I’d attack the cartels, provide security to people, start programs that benefit all society like stopping robbery and all bad things. Where I live, I’d put in drainage, water, electricity and better housing. It’s important to be a good citizen and not do bad things. Lots of people rob houses and do graffiti.

CFKLP: Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers before we close this interview?

A: Thank you for the opportunity to help us so we can continue with school.

A Special Bond of Love

April 11, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Student Scholarships

Scholarships for students in developing countries help fund costs of attending school and enable them to accomplish their career goals. Our scholarship program was designed to reward students who are working hard and who take their education seriously. One of our requirements, aside from maintaining high grades, is to put in four hours of community service per month during the school year.

Many of our students choose to do activities with the little kids – reading, drawing, playing games – but one of our students is doing something unique. He’s helping his grandfather sell vegetables.

Julio lives across the road from his grandfather, Julian, who buys and sells tomatoes by the kilo, walking door to door every day in the surrounding communities. It’s hard work trekking through dirt roads, up and down stone-filled hills under the scorching Baja sun, carrying pails filled with tomatoes. When the pails are empty, the grandfather hurries back to his home where he weighs more tomatoes and bags them.

Once a week, Julio helps his grandfather, accompanying him on his trek. The money the grandfather makes supports his wife and himself and also feeds Julio and his two brothers lunch while Julio’s mother works.

For Julio and his grandfather, it’s more than just fulfilling Julio’s community service. It’s a time of bonding for grandfather and grandchild. When the two are together, the love between them is palpable.

That’s what community service is all about: you CAN make a difference by bringing joy into someone else’s life.

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A Conversation with Julio

CFKLP: Tell the readers a little about your family?

Julio: I live with my mother, my twin brother and younger brother. We recently moved here from another Mexican state. I have an older brother who still lives there.

CFKLP: How did you feel about leaving everything behind to move to La Paz?

J: I was happy to move. I thought things would be better for me to move, not worse, because all my family lives here. School is much easier here. Where I used to live, there are rivers, but here, there are beaches. I’ve even been to the beach twice.

CFKLP: What’s the most important thing your mother has taught you?

J: Respect and values, to get along with others, and to get a good education. My grandfather told my mom not to steal and to teach honesty.

CFKLP: Why is education important to you?

J: Principally, it allows you to be someone in life and gives you a better life and way of living.

CFKLP: What are your dreams for your future?

J: I don’t think about it. Any job is good as long as it’s honest. I have a dream to travel in a plane. We came by ferry to La Paz. It was the first time I had ever been on a ship and I threw up.

CFKLP: What do you do in your spare time?

J: I play soccer and, when I’m bored, I draw.

CFKLP: Tell us about your community service?

J: My grandfather buys vegetables and sells them around the community. I help him do this. Sometimes I help my mother at her job, unfolding plastic bags – 500 bags – so she can fill them with candies. She works at a candy shop.

CFKLP: What does poverty mean to you?

J: A lack of resources like money, food, clothing. I have lots of friends whose houses don’t have windows. They’re cold and don’t have enough blankets. Compared to others, we’re not poor. We have enough food. I eat at my grandmother’s who lives across the road from us. My mom gives her money to help with the food and so we all eat.

CFKLP: If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you like to do?

A: I would like to do what Barbara does – give scholarships to kids in need.

CFKLP: You have a beautiful heart, Julio.

CFKLP: If you were the President of Mexico, what would you change to make Mexico a better country?

J: I would change corruption, give support to the poorer Mexican states, build schools in isolated areas, and give people the opportunity to study. Crime exists and won’t vanish just like that so I’ll tell people to be honest.

CFKLP: What would you like to say to the readers before we close this interview?

J: Thank you for your kind heart in wanting to help us. Always be positive, and know, when bad things happen, tomorrow will be better.

Another Charitable Moment

March 9, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Kathy Perkins, a resident of La Paz, mentioned our charity to her sister in California who put out a call for donations to people in her professional network. Kathy drove down with a van stuffed to the gills with ten boxes of clothing, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, towels, shoes, toiletries, jackets, scarves, toys and school supplies. With the money donated, Kathy bought 20 pillows and eight more blankets.

As the house where we wanted to drive to (to organize the donations) was on a road closed for construction, we grabbed some kids off the street and a young father to help us load the dolly and carry heavy bags.

A few days later, we loaded everything onto a truck and street by street, we set up tables and distributed the donations. Visitors are always curious how we notify families that there will be a distribution. They are surprised to hear we rarely notify anyone. There seems to be something in the air, like an invisible telephone wire, that does the notification. The key is to have a car stopped on a street with the trunk open. Within seconds, people flock. No time spent on emails, phone calls, texting or task groups. Zero headaches and no endless telephone conversations. Can life be much simpler? Click here and here for more photos.

There’s No Life Like It!

March 9, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Soccer, The Sport That Never Ends

Soccer is to Mexico what hockey is to Canada. Once children get their hands on a soccer ball, the game is on. The sport is so popular that when a Mexican team wins a big game, hundreds of cars in La Paz head to the street by the beach, driving back and forth, back and forth, with kids hanging out windows and sunroofs, swinging large Mexican flags swaying to the music blaring, and bass thumping at sonic-boom level, out of the speakers attached to the car, competing with the robust noise from the blasting of car horns. Noise pollution, you’re wondering? More like acoustic terrorism!

In order for Susan and Brenden Sherwin to make their visit to La Paz meaningful, they wanted to do something special for disadvantaged children. Having received a children’s wish list from us, they approached two companies in Vancouver who generously donated 18 soccer balls, soccer shirts and shorts.

So that Susan and Brenden could meet the children who would receive the soccer balls and clothing, we drove up to the community, stopped at the bottom of a street where hoards of kids live, set up a table for the clothing, put the balls on the ground, and waited. Within seconds, kids and their moms flocked around us. While not every child left with a soccer ball, most of the children left with something.

The balls were from Sport Check (West Vancouver) courtesy of Bruce and the clothing from Michael Ahmed of West Van Barbers who supplies soccer gear to children all over the globe. Who knows? Maybe one day one of these kids will live the dream of being a professional player in Mexico!

Never Give Up!

February 10, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Mission Accomplished

In Mexico, school days are divided into two sessions, one for the morning and one for the afternoon. It’s at the discretion of the school as to which session a student enters. Veronica, one of our scholarship students, entered high school last August, and was placed in the afternoon class.

It wasn’t until very recently I learned that her classes didn’t end until 9 pm. Veronica then had to catch the bus, which dropped her off one-half hour later,
1.5 km (1 mile) from her home. Trudging up a steep hill through a short residential district and then along a lengthy, unlit dirt road in the pitch dark was her daily route until she safely arrived home at 10 pm.

Her mother anxiously spoke to the school requesting that Veronica be moved to the morning class but was told there was no room available. Each class already had their quota of 50 students to a lecture room!

Being worried about Veronica’s safety, I went to the school with a volunteer, Pily, to talk with the Vice-Principal. I felt it important to impress upon her that Veronica’s safety was at risk. The community where she lived was infested with drug, alcohol and sexual assault problems.

While the Vice-Principal was very compassionate to the issue, her hands were tied. She had a folder full of students who wanted to move to day school for health or other reasons. It occurred to me that this just wasn’t a safety issue for Veronica but an issue for every girl who gets out of school late at night and has to find her own way home.

The Vice-Principal suggested that Veronica move to another school. However, this school had the program that Veronica wanted to study. Her family would never have been able to afford the high tuition on their own and it was a privilege for our charity, through her sponsors, to be able to pay the enrolment so that Veronica could study the field that she loved in order to have the career that would bring her joy. I vetoed that option pretty quickly.

I then asked the Vice-Principal to whom I should speak at the school board level. She gave me a name but also assured me that they would then call her to see if there was space in the morning class. Apparently, lack of adequate classrooms and lack of teachers have been an ongoing issue for those in education.

It was starting to sink in that this was a much bigger issue than one girl’s safety. That perhaps we weren’t going to get Veronica moved immediately because there was nowhere to move her to until the school added more classes.

Not willing to give up the fight, I tried one last strategy. I asked, “What will it take for those education decision-makers to wake up? To realize that they are putting their quota of students in a class over the safety of girls who leave school late at night? Does a young girl like Veronica have to be kidnapped, raped or murdered for the schools to realize the risk of sending a young girl home so late at night? Mexico is one of the largest hubs of sexual trafficking and I don’t want Veronica to be another statistic.”

Something shifted ever so slightly in the Vice-Principal’s eyes. To my surprise, she said she’d talk this over with the Principal and get back to us. Two days later, Veronica was moved to the morning class!

Interview With Veronica

CFKLP: When did you learn you had been switched to the morning classes?

Veronica: First, the school social worker called me to ask where I lived, if the bus drove near my place, what time I got home from school, my grade point average…I was very excited when they told me a couple of days later that I was being moved. I couldn’t believe that in one instance something could change so quickly. Honestly, I was really scared walking alone at night.

CFKLP: Why did you choose that school?

V: I want to study construction. I like to design things. My course is really the foundation to a career in civil engineering, which is the profession I want to study.

CFKLP: Why that profession?
V: It’s a career. I have always imagined something in my mind and then I imagine it already constructed. I also like to draw.

CFKLP: I see you now have a home made of block. Were you involved at all in the design?

V: My dad built most of it but I wanted him to shape the house in a rectangle.

CFKLP: Now that you’re in day classes, will you return to boxing?

V: Not right now because it’s cold and I’m lazy. I like to be in a warm house. Also my gloves tore. But I will return when it’s warmer.

CFKLP: What are your dreams for your future?

V: I want to be a civil engineer and to be an example to show that everything’s possible. When you’re younger, you think everything is easy but as you get older you realize that maybe life isn’t so easy after all. When I was younger I didn’t feel everything is possible but now I do.

CFKLP: What makes you feel now that everything is possible?
V: I just have to want it and then do something about it. I’ve been reading books about life, sadness, affection and teaching and these books inspire me. Everything I read has a message.

CFKLP: What’s the message that you keep getting?
V: Things happen for a reason and never give up. In the novels I read, the character has a problem but the end result is never give up.

CFKLP: What do you do in your spare time besides read?

V: I’m sometimes on Facebook and chat with friends – only people I know. I sometimes go to movies – action or romantic movies.

CFKLP: What’s the most important thing your family has taught you?
V: To follow my dreams and never give up.

CFKLP: Why is education important to you?
V: It’s something that’ll help you in your whole life, to have a career and to be an example for your own children so they can have an education.

CFKLP: Tell us about your community service?

V: Both another scholarship student, Magui, and I work together. It takes two of us because the kids are out of control. They want to be free and play but both Magui and I think it’s important the kids also learn important things. We teach them multiplication tables and how to add and subtract. We get about five or six kids around 7, 8, and 9 years and they don’t know their arithmetic. At the end we do jigsaw puzzles or something else that’s fun.

CFKLP: What’s your impression of the scholarship program?
V: It has helped me a lot. It takes effort to stay in the program. It’s an excellent program because it gives me everything I need such as tuition and school supplies. My life would be a lot more difficult without this scholarship. I’m not sure if my parents could pay the tuition on their own and I don’t even know if my parents would have enough money for bus fare.

CFKLP: Is there something you would like to say to our readers?

V: It’s such a huge help you’re giving us and doing for us, helping us in our studies and for our future. Thank you.

The Face of Love

January 26, 2017 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

One Side of Love

Every couple of years the Gerbrandt and Graves families visit La Paz and like to do a bit of volunteering. What a better way to meet humble Mexican families and angelic children then to bring gifts to them.

Just before New Year’s, we drove up to the community and, street by street, distributed toothbrushes, toothpaste, boy’s cars, toy soldiers, girls’ hairclips, and cookies to kids in Vista Hermosa.

We also distributed clothing to sent to us by Justice, and we gave away colourful knitted hats and scarves by our resident knitter, Sylvia Sperling. There are no words to express our gratitude for the caring that visitors have for those who have so little. On behalf of the families in Vista Hermosa, thank you. More photos here.

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Another Side of Love

Emily, who visits La Paz every few years and holds our charity deep in her heart, accompanied me to the community to hand out some new and used clothing and hair scrunchies her mother made. Curiously, one of the translations for scrunchie in Spanish is donut. Who would have thought?

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The Face of Angels

Another big turnout for our monthly children’s event of races, musical chairs, Loteria (Mexican bingo) and the exciting game, Pie Face. The kids are totally fascinated with Pie Face, waiting for their moment of glory (unscathed) or agony (splatted in the face
with whipped cream).

Before the kids left, we handed out small bags of candies and popcorn and, thanks to donors of Tailhunter International Sportsfishing, a young boy won an awesome, huggable, stuffed penguin providing years of squeezable love. More photos here.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

December 20, 2016 by Barbara Spencer, MSW Leave a Comment

Food Hamper Delivery

Three pick up trucks packed to the gills headed out to Vista Hermosa to hand out 218 food hampers to very gracious and grateful families.

First, we had to follow the grader who opened the main road just for us and then we went street by street to meet large and small families, single moms and the elderly.

Our volunteers handed out about 100 candy canes and a ton of Hershey kisses. Happiness and sugar highs all around! Thanks to a generous donor, numerous 4 year old children left with a Christmas toy and a big smile. It was an amazing time meeting families, knowing that each and every one will have food on their table for Christmas. Thank you to all who donated to this special project. More photos here.

Our Future Leaders

Even the cold, brisk wind didn’t stop the scholarship families from attending our annual Christmas fiesta to celebrate a job well done by our volunteers and the hard work of our scholarship students, the future leaders of Mexico. It was a fun evening of cake and gifts – a food hamper and bag of assorted creams, lotions and shampoo for the moms, and a small gift certificate for clothing for each scholarship student.

One of our scholarship student’s sponsors visiting La Paz made a surprise visit to their student and joined in on the festivities.

Our sponsors are the backbone of our scholarship program. Without their support, some students wouldn’t have the financial resources to finish all twelve years of school. When the sponsors and students meet, gratitude flows both ways. It was a touching moment for Carol Ann and Dave, when they met up with their student and
family. The family was thrilled. We were, too!

On behalf of the students, their families, and our charity, have a very holy and blessed Christmas. See you in the New Year! Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año! More photos.

Children’s Christmas Fiesta

Over one hundred eager children attended our annual Christmas fiesta where they vigourously and enthusiastically participated in five games: Pie Face, catch the flag, musical chairs, statues and a blindfold game.

Now that they were totally worn out, thirsty and hungry, we treated them to cake and a delicious, thirst-quenching drink called Jamaica (ha-my-ka) made from dried hibuscus leaves, while they anxiously waited for a gift: dolls, soccer balls, baseballs and backpacks donated by clients of Tailhunter International Sportfishing, girls’ blouses and dresses from the US company Justice, and a bag stuffed with candies.

There could never be enough gratitude to thank everyone involved who made this fiesta a success. We couldn’t have pulled this off without their help. More photos here.