Two years ago Alexis was able to return to live with his family. He now has the opportunity to grow up and support his grandfather, mother and younger brother, and understands clearly that a good education is the key to making this happen. Currently Alexis attends a middle school in a neighborhood just outside of Puerto Vallarta and stands out as an excellent student with a perfect 10 (out of a possible 10) grade point average. He recently was presented an award at this school as the top student in his grade. Alexis is very talented in drawing and design. His physical problems (partial paralysis on the left side of his body) have never limited his ambition or his goals.
Sendero de Esperanza y Amor supports Alexis’ educational efforts by contributing $65 US monthly toward his school tuition, books, educational materials, uniform and shoes, and public bus transportation so that he can continue toward a better life for himself and his family.
You can help Alexis or any of the other dedicated and motivated students to reach their educational goals through Sendero’s new SOS – Sponsor One Student by sending a donation right away marked “SOS.” For more information about this program, please refer to our website – www.cshf-us.org and view the Sendero link. Our suggested donations levels for the SOS program are:
- A donation of $300 US/CDN for a full year of support for one student, or
- A donation of $150 US/CDN for a half year of support for one student, or
- A donation of $20 US/CDN each month.
Each donor will receive updates and photos of their sponsored student twice during the school year, and the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping to make a real difference through SOS – Sponsor One Student.
And, at Sendero, where we are assisting children living in EXTREME poverty out at the site of the old dump, we have about 60 children attending school with no government assistance to help with their needs. We want to provide each child with a backpack, 1 pair of shoes, a shirt, and some basic supplies, at an estimated cost of around $2000 US.
Many of you read and generously responded to our “Addendum – Fire” special newsletter sent out on April 14thabout the devastating fire that destroyed the meager homes of four families living in the area adjacent to the old dump. Bety recently offered this happy update.
A team of young adults from Canada came in early May and took on the construction project. It was recommended by DIF, a Mexican government agency that oversees the needs of children and families, that the new homes be built with tar paper, as before, so that others living in the area would not think that burning their house down is an easy way to get a much better place to live (a sad reality); however, the construction of the four new homes was done with wood beams and more solid techniques, and the homes are substantially larger and more comfortable for the families than before. Each home now has electricity and a functioning bathroom. They have been furnished with new beds/bedding and other necessary furniture; kitchen appliances and needed cookware/food/paper goods/etc.; and each family member has plenty of new clothes and shoes.
The children at RISE enjoyed a very special outing, thanks to a generous donation to CSHF, during their two-week school break for Semana Santa – a trip to Rancho Capomo, a beautiful restaurant/ranch in Las Palmas about an hour outside of Puerto Vallarta. All of the children and staff were treated to a full day of swimming and playing on a large, well equipped
AND, another miraculous improvement has been made at RISE. A frequent volunteer and VERY GENEROUS contributor noticed the need for a much larger refrigerator to replace the two tired out small ones that have attempted to keep food cold and fresh for the 40 + children living there for way too long. From his past business experience he was convinced that what was needed was an industrial walk-in style refrigerator. Hard to find in a place like Puerto Vallarta?? – not really. You just need to have the vision and persistence to have it made. After a couple of weeks of negotiation and preparation the new HUGE refrigerator is now installed and fully functioning. The cook, Cira, and the 3 Madres are amazed; the children are excited to see such a thing and are enjoying the increase in cold beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc., and, some of the volunteers are looking forward to spending time inside it picking out lunch items during the long, hot summer months. If you plan to be in Puerto Vallarta during the next few months please help to keep this refrigerator and the pantry full by donating food items such as yogurt, cheese, fruits and vegetables.
At least that is what my sister, Susan (AKA – The Sock Fairy and our foundation Treasurer) said during her recent visit to Puerto Vallarta as she delivered over 132 pairs of colorful, sturdy socks donated through her by SmartWool in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The Sock Fairy, in full costume, delighted the children at Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE) with her bright green wig and sock outfit, as she distributed new pairs of socks to every child. In addition, several pairs of socks were given out to all of the children who came for “Homework Club” at Sendero de Esperanza y Amor on the day that the Sock Fairy arrived.
The children at RISE enjoy visits from November through April as well fromThe Shoe Fairy. Although lacking a cute costume and wig, the Shoe Fairy is able to work some magic several times each month by whisking away five or so deserving children in her car to buy new school shoes or tennis shoes and usually a treat afterwards of ice cream or nachos (a new favorite choice this year). Over this past high season in Puerto Vallarta the Shoe Fairy has been able to purchase 63 pairs of shoes because of donations from amazing contributors like Micaela Hurtuk who has raised over $600 since January to help the Shoe Fairy. A donation of $25 will buy a new pair of school shoes or tennis shoes and a special treat for a child at RISE and will help them to believe in the magic of fairies forever.