Meet Barbara's 2nd sponsored child Miguel!!

Miguel happy at last with one of his birthday presents. He was not at all impressed with the desk, bookcase and globe preferring to have had a T.V. instead!!!
Miguel with his Mother and sponsor plus his gooey cake.
This is Miguel's 8th birthday party 11th February which I was able to provide him with.
Big sister Martha dressing Miguel in his new Pirate costume for Hallowe'en. HIs new bookcase and globe behind him.
The long and dusty road leading to the community where Miguel lives. He is with his eldest sister, Martha, and his nephew, Jose.
Miguel with his new desk and world globe
The family, CI Interpreter and Driver in front of Miguel's house.
Miguel plucking up courage to feed a visiting giraffe in the Safari Zoo. Earlier when the huge head appeared just where we were sitting I don't know who was the fastest to leap to the other side!!!

With Miguel at the CI Community Centre in Zapopan, Mexico
Miguel's kitchen.
Barbara & Miguel at the Guadalajara zoo in February 2008

Sorry that there are not so many good size pictures of Barbara's kids. There is a slight problem trying to get things to upload. Hopefully, there will be better pictures later. Here is what Barbara wrote about why she decided to sponsor Miguel:

When I first decided I wanted to sponsor a child I originally wanted a child from Mexico. Being the closest to Canada I had hoped to visit a sponsored child there more easily. Or Africa where the need is greatest. However, at that time (2004) C.I. did not have either Mexico or Zambia listed amongst the countries that they handled. Needless, to say two months after I sponsored Marelyn CI opened both countries for sponsorship. There were only two boys listed at that time so I chose Miguel for his pensive look.

He has turned out to be my most affectionate and caring sponsored child. So far, life has not dealt kindly with him. He once suffered from convulsions but since being sponsored, he was checked out by a specialist and since he starting taking the prescribed medication he has not had any other episodes.

He also has had some learning problems and failed entry to the third grade when he wrote me a sad little letter saying that he had some bad news but that he promised to do better. He was examined by the CI psychologist who examined him but found that he is very smart with an impressive memory. It appears that he needs that someone pay special attention to him but as the Mother is illiterate and doesn't seem aware of the importance of school learning and the Father an alcoholic there is nobody really that can do so. I am hoping that his new desk, bookcase and numerous books plus a world globe might somehow help.

From the beginning he was begging me to visit him but I had two longer visits to make before the shorter visit to Mexico. He is a shy but very caring little boy with a taste for really garish shirts.

Now, here is his bio:

Age: 9	Gender: M	Date of Birth: 2/11/2000
Height: 4 Feet 4 Inches		Weight: 73 Pounds		Hair Color: Brown		Eye Color: Black
2. Health problems, if any: None
3. Attends School: Yes
4. Favorite School Subjects: Mathematics
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing soccer, Playing with toys and cars
Chores at Home: No Chores, child is too young
Talents or Hobbies: Drawing, Singing, Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
5. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $171.00
6. Name of Father: Filimón			Age: 47	Occupation: Unemployed
(If not present, why?)
7. Name of Mother: Angela			Age: 48	Occupation: Maid
(If not present, why?)
8. Brothers and Sisters:
Name José Antonio		Age 22	Gender M	Name Juana		Age 23	Gender F
Name Martha		Age 33	Gender F
9. Child now living with: Parents
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
10. Description of Home: One Bedroom, Kitchen, Bathroom
Cooking Facilities: Gas Stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Beds
Home Construction: Walls Concrete block			Roof Brick		Floor Concrete
11. Facilities and Services:
Water Source/Storage: Stored at home in barrel/tank
Electricity: Available
Sanitary Facility: Toilet