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 =(

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

Henry Update

We did a small fundraiser for Henry last year to help his parents open their own restaurant. They haven't had the easiest go of it, but they are still making it work. Their income went up $20 for this time last year, but their income was only $25 when I first started sponsoring Henry. You can see by the numbers that sponsorship has helped this family. It is great to see their smiles!! Here is his latest update:

Age: 10 Sex: M Date of Birth: 10/28/2000
Height: 4 Feet 3 Inches Weight: 60 Pounds Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Art
Favorite Pastimes: Playing soccer, Listening to music, Playing with friends
Chores at Home: Running errands, Sweeping
Talents or Hobbies: Dancing, Drawing, Singing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $125.00
5. Name of Father: Deiver Occupation: Baker
(If not present, why?)
6. Name of Mother: Amalfi Occupation: Homemaker
(If not present, why?)
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name: Esneiver Manuel Age: 7 Sex: M
8. Child lives with: Parents

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: Kitchen, Bathroom, One multi-use room
Construction: Walls: Concrete block Roof: Corrugated metal Floor: Concrete
Cooking Facilities: Portable gas stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Wooden beds
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source: Running water in home
Electricity: Non-regulated usage
Sanitary Facility: Toilet

Diego Update

For those of you who have been following Diego for the past 2 years, can you pick him out in this group of children? If not, he is the one with the sleeve-less white shirt on.

Thanks to most of you, he was able to receive things for his health including a bed & nutritional drinks. He got 6 months of private school tuition paid; a refrigerator for his aunt's business. His aunt's business loan was paid off, and now all of the profit can go to needs for the family. Because of this, his family income just jumped to $300 per month!! How awesome is that?!

Here is his updated family record:

Age: 13 Sex: M Date of Birth: 7/24/1997
Height: 4 Feet 7 Inches Weight: 82 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Mathematics, Reading
Favorite Pastimes: Playing soccer, Listening to music
Chores at Home: Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Sport
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $300.00
5. Name of Father: Manuel Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
6. Name of Mother: Marilis Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name: james Age: 30 Sex: M Name: Laura Age: 34 Sex: F
Name: Maria Age: 37 Sex: F
8. Child lives with: Relatives

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: One Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen
Construction: Walls: Concrete block Roof: Corrugated tile Floor: Tile
Cooking Facilities: Gas Stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Wooden beds
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source: Running water in home
Electricity: Regulated use
Sanitary Facility: Toilet

Henry's Annual Photo

Such a handsome young man!! He turns 10 on the 28th of this month. It is hard to believe he is almost a teenager. I have been sponsoring him since he joined the program 4 years ago. His smile always puts a smile on my face! =)

A Positive Change

After 2 years of sponsorship, Mwanza and his 4 siblings have a brighter future. Their income was listed as $20, and it has stayed like that for the past two years. However, thanks to several kind donations, they now get tuition support, food supplies, and whatever they may need for a total of approximately $50 a month.
In addition, they have been able to secure more small jobs, and now bring in $40 a month!! Not bad for 5 children living on their own!
Here is Mwanza's latest family record:
Age: 14 Sex: M Date of Birth: 8/5/1995
Height: 5 Feet 0 Inches Weight: 88 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Social Studies, Art, Science
Favorite Pastimes: Playing soccer, Playing with toys and cars, Playing with friends
Chores at Home: Washing dishes, Taking out the trash, Cooking
Talents or Hobbies: Sport, Singing, Dancing
Languages Spoken: Nyanja

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $40.00
5. Name of Father: Usifu Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
6. Name of Mother: Chipo Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name: Clever Age: 12 Sex: M Name: Lovemore Age: 8 Sex: M
Name: Manase Age: 9 Sex: F Name: Mary Age: 16 Sex: F
8. Child lives with: Relatives

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: One multi-use room, One Bedroom
Construction: Walls: Concrete block Roof: Corrugated metal Floor: Concrete
Cooking Facilities: Coal stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Sleeps on the floor with mattress
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source: Community faucets
Electricity: Available but not affordable
Sanitary Facility: Community latrine

Leydi's Annual Update- 2010

Age: 9 Sex: F Date of Birth: 6/1/2001
Height: 4 Feet 0 Inches Weight: 56 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Black
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Art, Mathematics
Favorite Pastimes: Playing with dolls
Chores at Home: Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $65.00
5. Name of Father: Alberto Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Divorced
6. Name of Mother: Ociani Occupation: Homemaker
(If not present, why?) Deceased
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name: Chaline Age: 13 Sex: F
8. Child lives with: Relatives

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: Two bedrooms
Construction: Walls: Concrete block Roof: Corrugated metal Floor: Concrete
Cooking Facilities: Gas Stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Beds
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source: Community faucets
Electricity: Available
Sanitary Facility: Toilet

Dulce's Annual Update- 2010

Age: 10 Sex: F Date of Birth: 1/25/2000
Height: 4 Feet 4 Inches Weight: 58 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Black
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Mathematics
Favorite Pastimes: Playing with dolls, Running
Chores at Home: Running errands, General housework
Talents or Hobbies: Drawing, Dancing, Singing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $100.00
5. Name of Father: Victor Manuel Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Does not live at home at present
6. Name of Mother: Dulce Maria Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
7. Brothers and Sisters:

8. Child lives with: Relatives

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

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!!

Mwanza's 2010 Update

At long last! Do any of you experience this- You are so anxious to get the annual report of your sponsor child show you check your account over and over until finally... one day... it arrives?! I have been waiting for this one. There are 2 things I noticed about this update. The first is that Mwanza's little brother Lovemore is now 8 years old! (time sure flies by) and the second thing is that now that he gets to attend school regularly, he has THREE favorite subjects. I am so excited for him because he can now do the things he enjoys! Here is his update:

Age: 14 Gender: M Date of Birth: 8/5/1995
Height: 4 Feet 9 Inches Weight: 71 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Social Studies, Art, Science
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing soccer, Playing with toys and cars, Playing with friends
Chores at Home: Washing dishes, Taking out the trash, Cooking
Talents or Hobbies: Sport, Singing, Dancing
Languages Spoken: Nyanja

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $20.00
5. Name of Father: Usifu Age: 47 Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
6. Name of Mother: Chipo Age: 44 Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name Clever Age 12 Gender M Name Lovemore Age 8 Gender M
Name Manase Age 9 Gender F Name Mary Age 16 Gender F
8. Child now living with: Relatives

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: One multi-use room, One Bedroom
Cooking Facilities: Coal stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Sleeps on the floor with mattress
Home Construction: Walls Roof Corrugated metal Floor Concrete
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source/Storage: Community faucets
Electricity: Available but not affordable
Sanitary Facility: Community latrine

Update on Kevin in Ecuador

Stranger things have happened, I guess. Remember the Summer Reading Packages? Well, I got an e-mail from CI about the package that arrived in Guayaquil. They were confused as to why there were so many children involved and they were not my children. I explained the situation, and everything was worked out. A week passed, and I got another e-mail from CI. It was about the 2 packages that I sent: 1 for Jonathan, and one for the child I share with Mack- Kevin. It turns out they read my letters and did not want to give them to the 2 boys because I wrote that there was a possibility that a friend would visit them when they were in Ecuador. So, my letters were rejected and tossed.

Well, I am guessing that they called Kevin and Jonathan to the center at the same time to retrieve their packages because both of their reports were updated on Thursday 4/15/10. My cover may be blown. I guess I will soon find out. Mack's double Guayaquil sponsorship secret is probably safe because I don't think she sent a package to her Katherine at the same time. Oh, well- My cover would be blown eventually anyway whenever someone pays them a visit (Mack is supposed to go next year and Steve is going at the end of this year). Maybe I can save up enough miles to go at the same time Mack does- I have my fingers crossed!

I am not sure where the family's income of $150 comes from since the father is deceased and mother is listed as a "homemaker". I wish these reports would contain that kind of information!

Here is Kevin's report:

Age: 9 Gender: M Date of Birth: 5/17/2000
Height: 4 Feet 1 Inches Weight: 69 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Black
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Mathematics
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing with friends
Chores at Home: Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $150.00
5. Name of Father: Roberto Age: Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
6. Name of Mother: Reina Age: 36 Occupation: Homemaker
(If not present, why?)
7. Brothers and Sisters:
Name Jeremy Roberto Age 5 Gender M Name Julexi Age 14 Gender F
Name Roberto Age 1 Gender M
8. Child now living with: Mother

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: One multi-use room, One Bedroom
Cooking Facilities: Gas Stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Wooden beds
Home Construction: Walls Roof Corrugated metal Floor Wood
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source/Storage: Running water in home
Electricity: Non-regulated usage
Sanitary Facility: Septic tank

Update on Jonathan in Ecuador Part 2

Jonathan's report was updated on 4/15/10. It appears that his grandmother is still earning a nice income with their bedding IGP. The income is at $180, which is 3 times what their income was this time last year. I am so happy for them, and I know they are enjoying the benefits of not having to live from pay check to pay check.

Here is the update:

Age: 11 Gender: M Date of Birth: 1/20/1999
Height: 4 Feet 2 Inches Weight: 61 Pounds Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Black
2. Attends School: Yes
3. Favorite School Subjects: Art, Mathematics
Favorite Pastimes or Sports: Playing soccer
Chores at Home: Sweeping, Running errands
Talents or Hobbies: Singing, Dancing
Languages Spoken: Spanish

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S FAMILY:
4. Approximate monthly income for the family (in U.S. Dollars): $180.00
5. Name of Father: Jonathan Age: Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
6. Name of Mother: Cacilda Age: Occupation:
(If not present, why?) Deceased
7. Brothers and Sisters:

8. Child now living with: Relatives

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HOME:
9. Description of Home: Two multi-use rooms
Cooking Facilities: Portable gas stove
Sleeping Accommodations: Metal beds
Home Construction: Walls Roof Corrugated metal Floor Concrete
10. Facilities and Services:
Water Source/Storage: Running water in home
Electricity:
Sanitary Facility: Latrine