Since its opening in April of this year, Sendero de Esperanza y Amor (Pathway to Hope and Love) has been growing and changing rapidly. There are now 7 teenage girls living and thriving at this wonderful and innovative, small home-like home in Puerto Vallarta. Some have come from other shelters in Puerto Vallarta (including 4 who were previously at RISE) and some have been placed at Sendero directly through DIF. The girls, ranging in age from 12 to 17, work with the two house mothers, Francis and Elvira, on daily chores (including cooking, shopping, and cleaning), homework, and special interest projects, and earn points for positive attitude and behavior redeemable toward extra privileges and outings on weekends.
The summer months were particularly busy at Sendero, with the girls exercising at CEA gym in Nuevo Vallarta 3 mornings per week plus doing Zumba, making bracelets and other craft projects to sell, and participating in other events to raise funds needed for operating expenses. In addition, they hosted a special Mexican dinner for a group of volunteers from the Two Birds organization based in England. In return the volunteers assisted at Sendero in planting gardens in front of the house and painting a beautiful mural with the girls in the back patio area.
Each Saturday some of the girls go with Bety, our wonderful psychologist assisting at Sendero, to do activities with children living at the local dump, and Sundays all are actively involved in the church choir across the street from their home.
Mid-August brought the start of a new school year, with each girl receiving school shoes, a uniform and backpack, and necessary school supplies, thanks to several generous donations. Their school progress, emotional needs, and individual efforts are closely monitored by Bety, Yrma, and Ceci, members of the Sendro Board of Directors, who also plan the “reward” activities and work to secure donations and funds.
This new project appears to be on the “pathway” to major success in meeting the needs of these special teens. PLEASE help us to keep the heart in this home by sending a donation to CSHF right away marked “For the Girls”.