Mario's Fundraiser is Complete!!

Thank you so much for helping Mario and his family!! It happened just in time as he will be able to receive his gifts at the end of August!! That is awesome! Thank you!

Mario's Fundraiser Update

A post from Barbara:
"Yesterday, I finally received word that an emergency DP that I had sent for Mario had finally arrived. As you can see Mario is always very happy when he receives his direct packages. It was sent on 2nd December and did not arrive in Chile until mid June!! As Mario's present fund-raiser outlines the family are in dire straits after having to flee their home due to domestic violence with only a few of their possessions. His mother had sent me a list of things that they needed urgently which I immediately sent only to be frustrated that they took so long to arrive. The family are now living in rented accommodation which only leaves them about $40.00 a month to live on so their need is great. With their winter beginning now and South America suffering from one of their coldest winters on record the need for blankets and other bed-ware is urgent. So, if any of you are able to spare a few dollars for Mario's fund-raiser I and Mario's family would be most grateful. Thanking you in advance. Cheers

Barbara"

Mario's fundraiser only needs $67 to complete it!! To help Mario and his family, you can visit his fundraiser here

Mario's Fundaiser Has Turned a Corner!

We have passed the halfway point for Mario's fundraiser!! $187.50 is all that is needed to complete this fundraiser. Mario's fundraiser is important because his family has suffered through domestic violence. This fundraiser will provide his family with items they need to make a fresh start. To help Mario and his family get a good jump start on their new life, visit his fundraiser here On behalf of Mario and his mother, I thank you!!

Mario's Fundraiser

Joyce's Fundraiser has just completely funded!! Now, we have Mario's fundraiser that needs a little less than $300. Mario and his family has had a very tough time in life. Because the family had to flee their home, they are now starting over completely without furniture or other household necessities. This fundraiser will provide his family with furniture and Mario with shoes and clothing. To help Mario, visit his fundraiser here. Thanks for your help!

Fundraiser #31 has Launched!!

Fundraiser #31 is for Barbara's child Mario in Chile. You can read all about Mario on his fundraising page. This fundraiser will provide him with: This fundraiser will provide the family with:
•1 bookcase: US$48.33
•2 pairs of sneakers for Mario & Javiera: US$27.06
•4 single blankets: US$46.40
•2 set of bed sheets (single bed): US$27.06
•2 single bedspreads: US$58.1
•1 double bedspread US$36.73
•1 double blanket: US$19.33
•1 set of sheets (double bed): US$19.33
•Total: US$282.34
•Plus food items for a Grand Total of $350

To donate to Mario, visit his fundraising page here

A Letter from Mario's Mom

Dear Madrina Barbara Rogers

I am happy to be able to write to you and tell you about Mario. He is in good health and, thanks to God, he is doing very well. Mario wants me to ask you how you are doing, that God blesses you and he is very happy and thankful because you take such good care of him. Well, our Pastor also sends you many blessings that God will help you always prosper.

We thank you for all benefits we have received from you, such as clothes, gifts, medical care for Mario's health. I thank you enormously for your love for Mario.

Ana Delgado, the mother of Mario says goodbye to you.'

Easter Package for Mario in Chile

Post from Barbara:

You may remember Mario from previous posts when he, his mother and sister were forced to leave their home due to domestic violence. They are now living in rental accommodation but since they were left with few possessions instead of sending frivolous Easter gifts this year I sent a mixture of school and hygiene supplies which the family said they needed. This is what Mario wrote.

"Dear Sponsor Barbara:

I am happy to greet you and hope that you are fine and healthy and blessed in your work. Madrina, we were really scared about the earthquake; today, March 11th, 2010 we still can feel aftershocks in Chile. Well, I am already attending school and hoping this year is better.

Madrina, thank you very much for the Easter card, photos and gifts [a mixture of hygiene products and school supplies, a sewing kit and Easter candle for his mother; plus a plastic dinosaur in his favourite colour - green]. Thanks for everything. I send you a kiss and a hug. Mario and family."

This was the first letter that I have received since the tragic earthquake so it was good to hear that, apart from the trauma they went through he and his family appear to be well.

Cheers

Barbara

Mario in Chile

These are the latest photos of Mario taken upon receipt of his Saint Valentine's day DP and before the tragic earthquake. It is surprising that he still looks so happy after what he has been through over the last few months.

For the information of any new blog readers first of all Mario, his mother and older sister, Javiera had to leave the family home due to domestic violence taking with them only the things that I had bought for them in the past. They were fortunate enough to find a temporary refuge in a church facility. Even luckier that Steve and other anonymous sponsors provided funds to provide a necessary mattress, a chest of drawers and wardrobe for their clothes and possessions.

Just recently, they had to move to a rental accommodation which leaves them only $40.00 a month to live on. Though the mother was offered an IGP or job training she refused possibly due to lack of confidence after years of abuse.

And, now, like thousands of other Chileans they are going through the fear and uncertainty left after the massive earthquake. So far, I haven't received any news to say if they were affected in their new rental accommodation. One can only wait and hope that they still have a roof over their heads. In spite of everything Mario has been through he is doing extremely well at school as can be seen from his latest letter. Rather than send any frivolous gifts this time I sent mostly school supplies as requested by his mother due to their lack of financial income. You can also see that Mario is still able to ham it up for the camera and both he and his sister, Javiera, are wearing the bracelets made by Heather.

Dear Madrina Barbara

I hope this letter finds you keeping healthy. Thank you for all the presents you sent me: sweatshirt, bracelets, band aids, wooden elephant pencil holder, mini-stapler, pens, pencils, eraser, exercise book, dictionary, and maths set.

Madrina, I am fine and healthy. I am on Spring break and it is too hot here because we are in summer. I want to tell you that I was promoted to 3rd grade with 6.8 (A), only two points under the maximum mark which is 7.00 (A+).

Greetings

Mario

Mario's Christmas Package

A message from Mario's sponsor, Barbara:

Because of what Mario went through this year, that is having to flee from domestic violence with his mother and sister and finding refuge in a church facility I sent him and Javiera more expensive gifts than usual. I was hoping to cheer them up and the following photos prove that my plan worked. The look of happiness on Mario's face as he starts to explore his Christmas package says it all. Here is what he wrote upon receiving his Christmas package.

"Dear sponsor Barbara Rogers;

I hope this letter finds you well along with your family. I am very thankful for the gift you sent me. This time I received a remote control car and batteries, a Barbie doll and clothes (for Javiera), a Pope collector plate (for his mother), clothes, Christmas accessories, a book and pictures. I always get very happy for all these gifts that are very nice. I say goodbye with a kiss. Your sponsored child Mario."

An Ever-Giving Steve

Steve with Mario and his mother

Barbara wrote:

We all know how generous Steve Hogan is with his time and effort in providing photos and videos of some of our sponsored children during his trips to visits his sponsored children. Sometime even to the detriment of having less time with his own sponsored children. This is yet another example of his kindness in caring for less fortunate children. Some sponsors may remember Steve delivering a world globe to Mario my sponsored child during his visit to Chile at the end of June. At the same time I had asked CI to check into the possibility of starting an IGP for Mario's mother. The information was finally received but the news was devastating. Mario's mother had been forced to flee domestic violence taking with her Mario and his older sister. . Fortunately, they found temporary shelter of one room and cooking facilities in a church facility in exchange for Mario's mother keeping the church clean and other small duties. The children were given two meals a day at school and the church provided food at weekends.

The IGP was out of the question due to the new situation of the family; and CI's Chilean staff had sent an urgent Special needs list instead.. The only things that they had been able to bring with them were the gifts and Special Needs gifts that I had sent Mario over the years. Luckily, I had provided them with bunk beds a year earlier but had only been able to afford one mattress. So, Mario was sleeping on that one and a church member had lent them another mattress for his mother and sister to sleep on temporarily. Their clothes and other belongings were in boxes on the floor. They desperately needed another mattress since the owner wanted their's back plus somewhere to store their clothes and possesions.

Their situation prompted a generous anonymous sponsor to provide a large sum but there was still an amount left that I just could not afford. In a panic, and needing something to talk to, I sent an e-mail to the only other sponsor who had met Mario, our Steve, and explained his new, sad situation. Without any hesitation Steve immediately offered to contribute the balance required to provide the necessary items to the family. Needless to say I was very touched by Steve's concern and generousity to a child who was sponsored by somebody else.

This week Steve received the above shown thank you from Mario and the photos of their new acquisitions. Not wanting to open the floodgates of other sponsors asking Steve's help for their own children's sad situations but wanting to let others know of his extraordinary kindness I kept this all to myself. However, Steve gave his permission to tell his story in the hope that other sponsors might use the example to help others in a similar situation. So, once again, Steve, many thanks for your generous spirit and caring nature. As my mother used to say when not able to thank somebody in the present 'your reward will come in heaven!!"

The list of gifts provided to child and family

1 mattress
1 closet
1 chest of drawers
6 underwear
1 personal hygiene items
1 cereal and milk

The family's comments when the gifts were delivered

'They were very happy and thankful for the sponsor's donation and constant help.'

How will the gifts benefit the child and/or family?

'The donation means a great help for Mario and his family, because the chest of drawers and the closet will help the family store all the clothing, and the mattress has come in very good time, because the one they were using was only lent, and the owner had told the mother that they needed it back.'

Letters from our precious children

Hi Heather!
I hope you and your daughters are in good health. God bless you in your job. I received your letter and read it with much attention. I like all of the things you said in your letter. For example, the greetings to my grandmother mean a lot to me because it is very important for me and my aunt, too. I am in good health. I help her with the housework.
I thank you deeply for being a wonderful sponsor! I say goodbye with a big hug!
Jonathan

Dear Mrs. Heather,
How have you and your children been? I hope that you are all well along with your husband. I am very happy that you worry about my family and for my health. Now I feel very good. I play soccer with my friends, and I have lots of friends. I know what it is like to lose your father because sometimes I feel alone and I only have my aunt's and grandfather's affection. They tell me that I am rude sometimes but they understand that I am hurting. I send you nice regards. I love you a lot. With affection, I say goodbye.
Diego

Dear Heather,
My family and I hope you are well. My brother and I are back in school, and we didn't go out much this summer because we had chickenpox. After we healed, we went to the beach. My parents thank you so much for the help you sent to us for the business. We heard before that the donation had arrived, but they haven't given that to us yet (he obviously wrote this letter BEFORE the other one). The reason they haven't given us the donation is because we are trying to find a location for the business. It has been hard finding a place, but we hope we can find it before the month ends. We have faith that we will do very good. Thank you so much for all of your help and we pray that God continues to bless you very much.
With love and affection,
Henry

Though he already mentioned Steve in his first letter while he wrote his very first letter during Steve's visit he also thanked him in his second letter as follows"

Dear Madrina Barbara

I hope this answer to your letter finds you in good health and that you do well in all of your projects that you have set for your future. I thank you for everything that you have cared about me.

Thank you for the world globe and shampoo and hair conditioner. Your friend Steve is very kind. Thank you to your friend Steve. My brother Lalo brought a box of chocolates (probably in reply to what did he do for his birthday in June) and I felt very happy with all my siblings. I say goodbye from you since this is my first letter. (actually his second). Kisses and hugs.
Mario

He also added a cute drawing of a bear holding a flower and a picture of me though it could have been his mother or sister. He signed it "This is me in disguise as a bear". He is so cute.

Hello Efrain!

It’s very good that, thank God, you are well and that your immenseaffection and that that love so big for her is in you who are part ofour family. She tells (asks) me what are you studying and she hopes that, with the help from God, your plans for your business could go well because she tells me that it’s very good to do things with God’swill and that she will pray for God to care and protect you. She lovesyou much and most of the times she looks at your picture and she tells her siblings that God gave her a very good sponsor and that she loves you much. She is doing well in school and soon the “aportes” (can not tell what is this) will begin.

Marisol (Alyson's mother)

In the back of the letter there is something more.

Most of her birthdays she likes going out.

Her favorite beach activity is swimming.

Meet Barbara's 4th sponsored child Mario!!

Mario lives in Chile.
Here are Barbara's own words:

When, I first started to sponsor children I had only intended to sponsor one. Famous last words! I was now up to three in two years. I had always wanted to visit Easter Island so, due to my increasing age and health limitations, I decided in 2006 that it would have to be now or never. Since my combined sponsor visit and excursion to Guatemala had proved to be so successful I decided to do the same with Chile. However, I did not have a child to visit! That problem was soon solved when in the summer of 2006 I took on the sponsorship of Mario aged five. I fell in love with his busby style hair and cheeky grin.

I noticed immediately from the photos taken with his gift parcels that he curiously examined everything that I sent him. That was a good sign and it proved to be correct because he recently came to the top of his class which made both his family and myself very proud of him.

He lives in a small farming community about an hour's drive from Vina del Mar in a pretty location near a river. Most of the older members of the family work in the fields which gives them seasons of plenty and then nothing. When I visited him in March of 2007 he had only been told of my visit the day before so was not very interested. The rest of the family had gathered in a group outside their house to welcome me but Mario stood defiantly some distance away. When I went upto him and introduced myself and asked for a hug he shook his head. So, I told him that I had come a very long way to see him and had brought a car load of things for him but needed a hug first. That, immediately brought forth a limp lettuce like hug and a run to the car!!! The joy on the faces of all the family members as they each received a gift and Mario and his sister, Xaviera, opened up a suitcase full of gifts as well as a stuffed back pack was a sight to behold.

We also visited a local zoo where Mario was able to see for the first time his favourite animal, the elephant, in the flesh. In his excitement he leaned over a drop between a rock and the fence in order to get closer almost giving me a heart attack!. Now, every time I get a drawing from him it always includes an elephant even two years later.

After lunch in a large shopping mall we did a little extra shopping. After a couple of thank less gifts were bought I asked the CI interpreter to tell the two young children that I was from the old school and if I did not get a thank you there would not be any more gifts (in a nice way of course). Thereafter, it was very sweet that each time they received a gift they chorused in unison their thank-you's. Later, Mario came up alone and thanked me but I wasn't sure what for. He explained it was for the batteries that I had bought for his new fire-truck - bless him!! We next visited an ice-cream parlour where Mario managed to cover his new Canadian outfit with dripping icecream while waiting for the photos to be developed. The last I saw of Mario was his grinning face as he waved good bye from the CI van taking them home.

When I asked him what he had liked best from all the things that I had brought for him he replied the blow-up world globe - so I know that he will go far with his inveterate curiosity.

And here is his bio:

Age: 7	Gender: M	Date of Birth: 6/18/2001
Height: 3 Feet 11 Inches		Weight: 49 Pounds		Hair Color: Brown		Eye Color: Brown
2. Health problems, if any: None
3. Attends School: Yes
4. Favorite School Subjects: Art
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing soccer
Chores at Home: Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Singing, Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
5. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $180.00
6. Name of Father: Julio			Age: 49	Occupation: Farmer
(If not present, why?) Separated
7. Name of Mother: Ana			Age: 42	Occupation: Homemaker
(If not present, why?)
8. Brothers and Sisters:
Name Javiera Del C.		Age 8	Gender F	Name Jonathan		Age 19	Gender M
Name Katherin		Age 17	Gender F	Name Luis		Age 18	Gender M
9. Child now living with: Parents
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
10. Description of Home: One Bedroom, One multi-use room, Kitchen
Cooking Facilities: Portable gas stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Beds
Home Construction: Walls Wood			Roof Slate		Floor Wood
11. Facilities and Services:
Water Source/Storage: Running water in home
Electricity: Available
Sanitary Facility: Toilet