« When you start to dream, you begin to live...»
A year ago we received family growth from the two sisters Yossely and Deysi. Both came to us in a miserable condition. And indeed, we have managed - both have begun to dream and thus began to live. Deysi was a year ago 70 cm in height and weighed 8.8 kg. Today she measures 80cm and weighs 11.4 kg.In addition to this development, she has also learned how to crawl, went onto walking, running and manages even the split. She continues to receive physiotherapy and early stimulation therapy inorder to be able to continue developing at the pace her age.Yossely was a year ago76 cm in height and weighed only 9.4 kg. She integrated herself very quickly and felt comfortable in her new environment almost immediately. We were able to support her with early stimulation and witnessed an incredible transformation. Since she is with us, she has grown 13cm and has gained 6.9 Kg in weight. For her age, Yossely is still very small. However, she is very smart, active and simply a charming and lovely girl. Itis just wonderful to see how these girls embrace their new life and that that they are doing incredibly well today! These events confirm our daily work.
Support in the children’s home
We offer our children a home, food, clothing, school education etc. We also attach great importance to preparing the children for their later life. The focus is on good schooling, but also on the fact that they will not be "parasites" and will be able to stand up for their lives independently. This is why they must also help in the children’s home and do their daily chores. The work, which needs to be done, includes but is not limited to cleaning and tiding up the bedrooms, bathrooms, dining area, washing the dishes and the older ones even do their own laundry. The children always help without asking the adults. For example when we have to sort out clothes (when a container arrives), everybody is lending a helping hand. They are very happy when they open up a new box and discover the things. It makes them appreciate it even more.
All chores are together, with each child responsible for a certain function. Enrique, for example, has become our "resident hair dresser". He has been watching the hairdresser at work for many years, and under the motto «Learning by Doing» he cuts the hair off all the boys and dominates his craft completely. Itis very impressive how the teenagers look after the younger children, treat them affectionately and pass on what they have learned here in the "Yo quiero ser" to the next generation.
International painting competition by CEPUDO
Each year, CEPUDO organizes a national painting contest, the "Angels ofHope" program. This year the children were asked to come up with a drawing inspired by the topic "THE CREATION". Our children spent a whole weekend drawing beautiful art pieces. The children up to 8 years were allowed to crayon in an existing drawing. The effort was worth it! Yaxel has won second place in this category. In the category 8 to12-year-old, Jennifer won the first place. All winners of a category are now eligible to take part in the international competition, which also includes the winners of Nicaragua, San Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, etc. If you like Jennifer 's drawing, you can give her your vote until 30 june 2017 via following link: http://www.foodforthepoor.org/drawingcontest in the Junior Division (9-13 years) for number 2.
Mother’s Day
Every year in May, the teachers prepare various verses, dances, etc., together with the pupils. The mothers are then invited to a special morning at the school on Friday before Mother's Day. This year we won at a game and the children were asked to accompany their mother upto the stage. Our "Yo Quiero Ser ..." family isnot exactly small, so you can imagine how often I was on the stage. On Mother's Day we visited the mass together and afterwards we celebrated at home. Out of all mothers of the children, only one of the mothers visited their children. Fortunately, the children do not take such situations personally. It is really very admirable how positive the children deal with their own family affairs.
Turtle offspring
In2008, we received turtles from some children. They found them in a stream. First, a small container in my office served as a turtle swimming pool. In 2010,the turtles received a larger pool. The swimming pool is now settled outside under the avocado tree. In recent years the turtles have laid eggs. Unfortunately, our guardian was able to hatch the turtle eggs and ate them. At the beginning of May 2017, our children found 9 small turtle babies while they were doing their chores on the veranda. Now our turtle family consists of 8 big and 9 small turtles.