About two hours after we sent out our last newsletter from Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation last Friday, I had a phone call from Bety at Sendero saying that there had been a large, devastating fire about two blocks from their center at New Beginnings, next to the recently closed dump. The fire completely destroyed the “homes” of four families, who had been living in shacks made of cardboard and tar-
paper, and working at the old dump at night to recover and sell anything they could find there. If life was not difficult for them already, they have now lost EVERYTHING. The photos here show these “homes” ten days ago when my sister, Susan, and I went to this exact location to serve a lunch of fresh vegetable soup, and then the same space on Friday afternoon.
These families, plus several others who had damage to their homes, have now been offered temporary shelter at the New Beginnings/Sendero site so that they have a place to stay and consistent meals. They need clothing, bedding, basic cooking supplies, etc. as we begin to explore options for new housing. If you are in PV now and have items to give to these families, please contact Chris atchris@cshf-us.org right away. If you are able to make a donation toward rebuilding new homes for these sad people in desperate need of support, please send your donation, marked “FIRE” to our foundation, CSHF, at P.O. Box 772025, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 right away.
Micaela spends a week or two in Puerto Vallarta each year in February. She is currently 15 and several years ago asked to visit the Refugio because she was adopted and felt that she could relate to the children living in the shelter as their biological families were also unable to care for them in a safe, secure, nurturing way.
When Micaela visits in February she also brings items she notices are needed. Sometimes, it is toothbrushes. Other times, it has been socks or underwear. Although Micaela’s overall goal is to reach $2000 and she is close to achieving it, she contributes on an ongoing basis, thereby providing not only shoes but supplies as they are needed.
One of our board members, Teresa, recently told us about an amazing man she met begging near the beach – Pedro. This special 24-year-old, pictured below with his wife and two children, lost both of his legs and one arm when he accidently touched an electrical wire while working at a construction site here in Puerto Vallarta about 5 years ago. Through the months following this devastating accident, his life seemed bleak as his wife gave birth to their second child. Pedro, who lives in a rented home with no electricity or running water in a remote area outside of PV, decided that to move forward with his life he must be able to drive his car again, so he and his father devised an intricate system of sticks, platforms, and levers in the cab of his car. He now drives into town each day to look for handouts and donations by pressing the gas pedal and braking with the muscles in his butt, and steering with his one arm.
Pedro has a positive attitude about his future now, but needs some help from us. Teresa’s goal, with support from CSHF, is to purchase a small piece of land and build a real house for Pedro and his family. In addition, through the Sendero SOS- Sponsor One Student program, we want to send Pedro to school to learn English and computer skills that will open doors for employment and opportunities for a productive fulfilling life.
Yet another miracle occurred recently for the children living at RISE. A visitor during the holiday season came to RISE and saw a need – a more appropriate play structure specifically for the younger children who are in the nursery area upstairs – and then went home to tell all of her friends in the Beverly Shores, Indiana area about it. Over the course of a month donations began to arrive to Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation regularly marked “For the Swings.” By mid-March sufficient funds were raised by this magnificent group to purchase an amazingly wonderful structure complete with a play house, slide, two 
swings, and a rocker swing. By late March the structure was delivered and assembled and the “swinging good time” began. Another volunteer noted that the weather is heating up now, limiting the use of this special addition, and last week donated enough money for the purchase of a large carport canopy so the children can now swing and slide in the comfort of shade. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU who have made this happen or have participated in other miracles to make the children happy through your love.
Maria Magdelena Padilla López was born in Las Palmas, a village about an hour east of Puerto Vallarta where she lived with her sisters, nieces and nephews before deciding in January to come to Vallarta to study. She is 20 years old and now attends Universidad de Guadalajara PV. She has always helped her older sisters with chores and caring for their children. Several years ago she became interested in studying psychology because she likes to help other people and feels that she has a talent in this area. For Magdelena moving away from her home has been a challenge since she has always been close to her family; however she is happy to realize now her dream of becoming a psychologist.