Children’s Shelter of Hope Blog

If you ever toured the Refugio for even an hour, you probably walked away knowing that Madre Chuy and her laundry room was its heart. And perhaps, like me, you may have an empty spot in your own heart knowing our lives and those of the children are no longer being touched by this humble, hardworking woman who has recently left the Refugio to live once again with her dear friend Madre Marcella in the Guadalajara area.

 

Of the many hours I volunteered,there were only a few times that she asked for anything.  Once was for a strand of Christmas lights for the little tree she and the children had decorated, and another was for scissors to trim the children’s hair.  Lastly, she once asked for thread to make much needed repairs on some clothing…..I can still see the look of delight on her face when I arrived with a container of 24 different colors!

 

She was always very resourceful. Once when my husband was picking up debris, he cut his finger on a fragment of glass.  She asked Elena to get her an onion, from which she removed a thin piece of skin and applied it directly to the cut.  It worked like magic to stop the bleeding, and as a veterinarian, my husband was very impressed!

 

Continue reading “A Tribute to Madre Chuy”

It’s the New Year and the time for new beginnings.  For many of us, it’s that time of year to do some housekeeping, to decide what no longer works for us in order to make room for something new.

We’ve done some of that, figuratively speaking, at the CSHF.  After many years of a wonderful relationship with the Canadian CSHF, during which time both foundations grew individually, we have decided to become totally separate entities.  We wish the Canadian Foundation all the best in their partnership with a new US foundation.  We would like to emphasize, however, that we, at the US Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation, will be independent and not a part of their partnership.
Continue reading “2012 – A Time For Reflection … A Time For New Beginnings”

The Mexican tradition of coming together at the “posada”/ inn or shelter for a celebration during the holiday season was enjoyed by the children at Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE) and at Pasitos de Luz this past week.  Hotel Marival in Nuevo Vallarta sponsored and participated in a magnificent fiesta.  The staff brought EVERYTHING (including tables and chairs for the children and guests) and spent the evening mesmerizing the children with entertainment complete with Disney characters, serving tamales and other tasty treats to everyone, and then giving gifts of new shoes and clothes to each special child at the shelter.  After the piñatas the children finally wandered off to bed with “visions of sugarplums,” candy and loving friends “dancing in their heads.”

At Pasitos de Luz, the daycare center in Puerto Vallarta for children with severe handicapping conditions, the children also received special gifts, ate cake, and shared lots of love as they gathered with the staff, friends, and family members to wish one and all a FELIZ NAVIDAD!

If you’ll be visting Puerto Vallarta during the holiday and are interested in attending their Posada please contact us.

AND to all of you a Próspero Nuevo Año 2012 as well.