Updated Photo of Perla in Mexico

Perla's new photo arrived!  She is getting so big!  You may remember we did a fundraiser for her large family.  Her newest report stated she is now living with relatives, but it did not explain why =(

Christmas Package Received- Dulce O in Mexico

Post by Dorothee:
Here's what her letter said, it's written by her mother who's also named Dulce: (my boyfriend co-sponsors her with me, and her mother remembered - so impressed!)
"Dear Dorothee and Nick,
We are so happy to say hello to you. Dulce Sayuri became so happy when she received your gift. She is very happy and she thanks to you. She loved a lot the Teddy bear and she also liked the story books, because she likes me to read stories. The [coloring] book will be very useful for her, since she loves to color and drawing. She loves a lot the rings and bracelets, because she likes the fantasy jewelry like bracelets, ring and necklaces and thank you for the glasses, she also loved them too. She is a girly girl. Thank you so much for making my daughter Dulce Sayuri so happy.

Sincerely,

Dulce

Christmas Package Received- Perla in Mexico

Post from Susan:
"Sharing some photos from the Christmas package you sent to Mexico for Perla.


I'm sorry I can not find her letter at the moment, but she told me that she looks forward to learning how to read the book and she will look pretty with the jewlery. She wants me to write soon."

Update on Brayan in Mexico

I just got a new photo and update on Brayan.  It looks like the IGP is going well as his income has gone from $0 to $233 a month!!!!  I am so happy for him and his family!  Here is his report:

Age: 7 Sex: M Date of Birth: 3/13/2003
Height: 4 Feet 3 Inches Weight: 71 Pounds Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Grammar
Favorite Pastimes: Playing with friends, Playing soccer, Playing with toys and cars
Chores at Home: General housework
Talents or Hobbies: Drawing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $233.00
5. Name of Father: Ausente Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Unknown reason
6. Name of Mother: Marlen Occupation: Homemaker
(If not present, why?)
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name: Adán Age: 19 Sex: M Name: Alfonso Age: 16 Sex: M
Name: Blanca Age: 23 Sex: F Name: Brandon David Age: 4 Sex: M
Name: Noé Age: 19 Sex: M
8. Child lives with: Mother

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: Bathroom, Kitchen, Two bedrooms
Construction: Walls: Concrete block Roof: Concrete block Floor: Concrete
Cooking Facilities: Gas Stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Beds
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source: Running water in home
Electricity: Available
Sanitary Facility: Toilet

And the Winner for Day 8 is...

(We are still waiting for the results of raffle #8. They will be posted as soon as they are received.)

Barbara writes:

Without a scanner or knowledge to work a complicated computer programme the draw was done old fashioned and done on the honour system. Each person who participated in the raffled was given a raffle ticket for each dollar donated and their names deposited in a bowl. Then, my elderly neighbour, Jack, without looking picked a name out of the bowl and the name drawn was........John. So, many thanks to him and others who also participated in helping Miguel's family to open their own small business. I know they will be delighted. John please let me know what you would prefer either the $20.00 donation to a fund-raiser of your choice or the leather cushion covers.

Many thanks

Cheers

Barbara

On the 9th Day of Christmas...

Today's raffle is for a $20 donation to any fundraiser of your choosing (this could mean that you would be able to put $20 into another raffle for another chance to win as well!).

OR

Two small or one large soft real leather cushion covers from Morocco. The larger one is a light brown colour - about 17 inches across and when stuffed 2 inches high hand tooled with squares and gold stars. The two smaller covers are about eleven inches across and one inch high. One is dark green with similar tooling to the larger one and the other is a cream colour with a central gold tooled star and square and eight extensions ending in a decorative square. These would make an exotic gift for the person who has everything but loves decorating their house with eclectic items.

The raffle will benefit Miguel in Mexico. His family would like to start a business selling milk, soda, and tortillas. Every $1 gets you one raffle ticket. To enter the raffle, click here to donate by December 10th at 10PM CST:

http://www.firstgiving.com/generalstoreigp

Good luck!

Perla's Small Project pics and report

Post from Susan regarding the MAC fundraiser that was done for her sponsor child Perla in Mexico:

Gifts Provided

One box of groceries
One Cleaning supplies
One bed frame
One mattress
Four burner stove

Perla's mother was very happy to know that the sponsor was going to help them with the donation. Perla was very happy to have a bed of her own.

Perla's thank you letter to all of you.

Dear Donors.
Hello! I am Perla. I am very happy for your donation. I got a stove which will be very useful to prepare meals because I am a very good eater and also I received a bed to sleep very comfortable and groceries like cookies, sugar, salt and jelly. Thank you very much! I will work very hard at school so you can feel proud of me and I will pray God for you.
Thank you very much,

Perla

note from Perla's sponsor.
A big thank you for all that donated. When I saw the photos of Perla I knew that it was only because of all of you, Heather for all she does and the group that I was able to help Perla's family. As one of my sponsored children once wrote to me (May God bless you abundantly so you can help more children)

--
Susan

Mexico, Guatemala, & Tabaco

Now that I can post pictures, here are the packages for 3 of the centers. Mexico and Guatemala were shipped several days ago, but Tabaco went out today. We are going to have quite a few happy children :o)

Less than $100 Needed for Perla!!

Perla's fundraiser only needs an additional $92.87!! This family is an extremely needy family, and they will beneift greatly from the bed, stove, and clothing. Without this fundraiser, the family would likely never have enough extra funds to purchase these items. Every peso is spent on staying alive. If you can help up get this sweet girl the items she needs, please donate here:

Perla's fundraiser Thank you so much for your concern for Perla and her family!!

Alejandra & Fabiola's IGP

Su received an update on on of our MAC fundraisers. We raised money to provide items for Alejandra and Fabiola's mother to sell out of her home. The money was raised a year ago and provided to the family. The update on this business is that their mother is no longer selling the items from her home. Instead, she is selling items in a street market!!

She has had much success in the market, and has used some of the profits to purchase more items to sell (which you can see above). In addition, she has a catalog that customers can order bedspreads from. This guarantees that the items will be sold. Awesome report!! Congratulations Alejandra and Fabiola!!

A Letter from Brayan

While I am still waiting on the special needs follow up report for the donations that Brayan and his family received, at least I am still getting his letters. Here is his latest letter:

"Dear Sponsor Heather,

The house is still not ready because the rent is expensive and we can't pay it. The business is growing little by little. On my birthday, I didn't have a party, but I had a very nice time. The dolls in the picture you sent me are very pretty and my mom liked the dolls very much. I'd like to meet you in person. See you soon!

Brayan"

Perla's Fundraiser

This is a really simple fundraiser that will be a big help for a family in Mexico. We only need to raise $216 to provide Perla with a bed and clothes and her family with a stove. Perla's mother is raising 5 children on her own. The oldest two girls are 7. The youngest children are a 3 year old and 2 year old twins. Can you imagine the struggles her mother is facing!? Please help Perla by making a donation to her fundraiser!!! Thank you so much for your help!

A Mexican Puzzle

Miguel received the electronic toy that Barbara ordered for him during the Summer Reading Program. However, do you see how he is looking puzzled? Strangest thing happened- the field staff said there was, also, a pocket lamp in his package but they would not give it to him. Anyone have any idea what they could be talking about? What is a pocket lamp? The reason they couldn't give it to him is because it had a phone number on it... Which takes us from weird to weirder... What is a pocket lamp, why does it have a phone number on it, and where did it come from? If any one can solve this puzzle, I will have a nice prize for you :o)

Summer Reading Package Received~ Perla in Mexico

A post from Susan H:
Perla from Mexico received her summer reading package!
What a delightful smile! She was so happy!

Summer Reading Package Received- Susana in Mexico

A post from Sara S:

Hello everyone! This is 3-year-old Susana, the youngest member of my sponsorship family. She's also one of the newest members of the family. I've only been sponsoring her about 6 months. She caught my eye because she has my birthday and a name very similar to my sister's. She lives in Mexico with her parents and two older sisters. I sent her a Summer Reading Package with dolls for all three girls and books that the family may be able to read to Susana.

The thank you letter, written by Susana's mom, reads:
"Thank you for the package you sent for my daughter Susana. She loves the Barbie dolls and the doll that is her baby. She's growing and learning more and she speaks better. On her birthday I bought her clothes and for dinner I cooked "tamales." She likes to play with her toy tea set, color and play with dolls. She also wants me to comb her hair with small rubber bands so she can look pretty. Thank you for sponsoring my daughter. Sincerely, her mom Primiana"

Summer Reading Package Received- Brayan in Mexico

Here is Brayan with his Summer Reading package. I just love how his little brother and mother get in a couple of the pictures as well. They almost always do. I haven't received the report from the fundraiser for their IGP and home. However, I know the IGP is up and running because Brayan tells me so in his package thank you letter. This is what he wrote:

Dear Heather,

Thank you for the gifts that you sent me. They are really nice. Yes, I use the computer you gave me a lot, and my mother's business is going well. The house isn't ready yet because there are some small issues and some things. The business is growing little by little. My mom sells the clothes, but business is kind of slow right now. My mom is very grateful for the help you have given us. We love you very much and we send you our best. My mom, my little brother and I send you lots of kisses and hugs with affection for you and your family. I hope you and your husband are doing fine. God willing, I will start the 3rd grade of elementary school, and I am learning how to read and write better. I will have vacations soon. I love the video games a lot.

Sincerely, Brayan

Brayan received 2 video games (the ones filled with candy), 1 toy car, 3 books, 1 tic tac toe game, and a letter. The comment was: "Brayan looked very happy for all the gifts he received from his sponsor."

Meet Sara's Child Jose G in Mexico

This is Jose G from Mexico (the G is a middle initial ... I sponsor two gentlemen named Jose). He is 13. Like Paola and Brayan (both also from Mexico), his shirt is inside out in his most recent annual photo. I initially thought it was teenage rebellion, or the CI rep’s response to something inappropriate on Jose’s shirt. But, now that I know he’s part of a trend I think maybe it’s Mexico’s latest fashion? (some day maybe I’ll ask the google group if anyone knows the real reason ... in the mean time it’s an interesting thing to ponder).

Even though Jose is in his teens he still has not started writing his own letters. I think this is partly due to illness and partly due to starting school late. The last couple letters have all mentioned that Jose is doing well, and I am glad to hear that.

The most recent letter, written by his mother, reads:
“Jose is very happy to receive your letter and know that you care about him and think of him and his siblings. We hope that you have a wonderful Christmas together. Jose is very happy because Christmas is very close and all the family gathers together. We’re looking forward to receiving another letter. Next time, hopefully, Jose will be able to answer the letter himself. Thanks a lot for remembering your sponsored child.”

Katja's Sponsor Child Ana and her Family

A post from Katja in Germany:
This is Ana and her family. They seem to be really poor, because the house looks very simple. I grew up in an old farm house and Ana's house looks to me like the houses where you used to put working materials. It's unbelievable for me that they live there.
I already told the family that I will do my best to help them with the things they need, but that it is much money for me and that I need to find friends who help me with the money. So it will take some time until I have the money. I think it is important for them to know, that it is not that easy for me to send them the money, because they might feel bad that they are needy. I don't want to be the rich person for them, but prefer being a friend who tries the best to help them.

First Letter from Ana to Katja

Post by Katja:
I got my first letter from Ana! I'm so happy to hear from her!

Here is what she wrote:

"Hello dear Ms. S.!
I hope you are doing healthy along to your loved ones. I tell you that in my free time I like to play with my cousins and I also tell you that I pass to the second grade at my community school. I am very happy and I thank God and to you for sponsoring me. I thank you and may God bless you, I close with huge hugs.
Ana Gabriela"

The letter was written by her 14-year old sister Marlyn Sucely. Ana also drew something for me.

Paola Information and Update

Post submitted by Barbara:

"For my new readers who may not know the story of little Paola and her family this is a brief review. Less than a year ago the touching photo of a 'dirty? sad looking little girl, called Paola touched the hearts of several people and 13/14? of us decided to sponsor her as a group. As outlined recently we had a quick collection to enable Macky to buy the family several useful items and food items during a very rushed visit which not only provided many interesting photos of their first visit to the zoo but also several photos showing the dreadful living conditions of the family. The photos showed a very dark, fly infested room with a dirt floor, a hole in the roof, no water connection and the worst of all the mother, Rosa, was cooking on an open fire in a hallway with three young children running about. It was immediately decided to do a group fundraiser in order to change the family's living conditions. The most urgent was to provide a safer means of cooking so once the funds were raised the family received a small table, a gas cooker and a gas canister? (the open fire is no longer used because they have an actual mini stove!)

Then, an inquiry regarding what could be done about getting the two eldest girls, Paola and her elder sister, Tomasa enrolled in school eventually led to two very generous donations, by anonymous sponsors also touched by the family's poor living conditions. More luck continued when the Mexican Government decided to provide cement floors to the small compound where Paola lives. At the same time repairs were made to the roof, a toilet and water connection was made, and a dangerous well was fenced off with a retaining wall.

Then, just before Christmas another small group fund-raiser was made to provide the family with a wardrobe in which to keep their clothes instead of being kept in boxes on the floor.

The latest photos that were posted on March 11 and can be seen here, show the new wardrobe and the socks, shoes, and flip flops bought with the remaining fund raising amount. There was also enough to start proceedings to get the children enrolled in school and provide the necessary documentation.

Soon, the two sisters will start a new adventure, that is begin school for the first time. Since Rosa is illiterate and may not have been taught any personal hygiene the children are often filthy with uncombed hair and unwashed faces. So, in order to prepare them for their new school experience four of us are doing what we can to get them ready so as not to be embarrassed when they embark on their new school life. Barbara is making up a 'preparing for school' package for practising their ABC's, exercise books and hygiene items like brushes for hair, teeth and nails, a wash cloth and towel, etc., Bernie is looking for some ABC books in Spanish and other school supplies; Mack is putting together a cartoon type 'hygiene for pre-schoolers which will be translated into Spanish by Heather. Hopefully, these items will encourage Rosa to teach her children some necessary hygiene tips so that they won't be embarrassed by other children.This will also give Paola some preschool experience so that she would be less behind than other kids who may have attended nursery or kindergarten.

So, you can see that our group has been kept busy but it is so rewarding to have been able to help this worthy family in such a short time. And, you can be sure that more will follow in due course!!

After all of this good fortune, and in less than one year's time, their family income has gone from $95 a month to $291! Wow!!