Progress Unveiled in Images
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We're thrilled to share the latest developments on the John Gullo Home for Children—a sanctuary in the making for vulnerable children throughout BCS, Mexico. Your support has propelled us forward, and we're excited to showcase the recent progress made.
In the next week, the gates and man door will be installed, the septic will be finished, changes to grade will be accomplished, and closet doors installed.
As we approach operational readiness, our focus shifts to fundraising, hiring, aligning further with the DIF (the government department responsible for child welfare,) and more.
An important action we need help with right now is ensuring that the home is fully equipped to provide a nurturing environment for up to 30 children and their adult caretakers.
Here's how you can get involved:
1. Consider signing up for automatic monthly payments to help with ongoing needs such as food, water, and supplies.
2. Donate essential household items such as bedding, towels, small kitchen appliances, cookware, dishes, office supplies, and entertainment equipment. View the complete list of needed items with instructions about how to donate here .
3. Explore naming opportunities, including the available naming rights for the boys’ dorm. Naming rights for the girls’ dorm was already granted in consideration of the Fieser-Daley family’s generous support. Please inquire about creating a legacy for you, your organization, or your family.
We've come so far with so much help. With your continued support, we're confident that in the days ahead we'll get even closer to opening the home to families needing the support this home offers.
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PARTNER UPDATES
Líderes Para Dar / John Gullo Home for Children
Three members of the Líders Para Dar A.C (which is Leaders2Give's sister organization established for the purposes of administration of the John Gullo Home for Children) were in Mexico City this week.
Anyone who spends time or lives in Mexico knows how difficult it is to conduct any sort of official business in Mexico and nonprofits in particular face enormous scrutiny, especially when it comes to the flow of money.
It's been a multi-year journey to establish an official bank account in Mexico, registered under the legal accountability of Líderes Para Dar which culminated in the requirement of a personal visit by CEO, Adam Greenberg, President, Hector Boires, Vice President, Zayra Sandez, and next week a final visit by Treasurer, Juan Carlos Esquema.
This account will facilitate all operational expenditures from payroll to regular bill payments.
New Creation Kids (NCK) Children’s Home
Leaders2Give would like to express ourheartfelt thanks to Fishers of Men West Coast for including New Creation Kids - Nueva Creaçion Niños again this year and providing all the children with a new pair of shoes. Even all the adults who work at the home to support these kids received a pair.
For many years this generous and compassionate group has been putting smiles of these children’s faces with something that many of us take for granted - a new pair of shoes
Thank you Eddie Dalmau for reaching out to help coordinate and to Van Wormer Resorts for your leadership!
The East Cape Health Center
Meet 7-year-old Mario Alexis Martínez Ortega, whose life has been transformed by the dedicated efforts of the East Cape Health Center. Mario was born with cyanogen congenital heart disease (CPC), a condition that disrupts the flow of oxygenated blood through the heart and lungs, leading to cyanosis—a bluish discoloration of the lips and nail beds—and clubbing of the fingertips. In addition to his cardiac challenges, Mario suffered from severe dental issues, including chronic gum and tongue infections, and frequent tooth breakage.
Recognizing the complexity of Mario's medical needs, his family sought care for him. A pediatric dentist identified the urgency of Mario's case and recommended consultation with a pediatric cardiologist. This consultation revealed the necessity for antibiotics prior to dental extractions, supplemental oxygen pre- and post-procedure, and nocturnal oxygen therapy. However, crucial diagnostic procedures, such as an echocardiogram, remained financially out of reach for Mario's family.
Fortunately, the East Cape Health Center stepped in to facilitate access to essential services. Through a comprehensive socio-economic assessment, Mario's situation was presented to IMSS, a Mexican social services agency. The clinic’s advocacy secured Mario's access to critical medical and dental care, including the much-needed echocardiogram. This diagnostic test not only confirmed Mario's CPC but also unveiled a rare form of cardiopathy, prompting further medical interventions.
Thanks to ongoing support from the East Cape Health Center and access to consistent medical and dental interventions, Mario's quality of life has vastly improved. He now attends school regularly and participates in physical activities, enjoying a childhood free from the limitations imposed by his health challenges.
Feeding The Hungry
Feeding the Hungry is continuing to help the poorest of the poor in our community by providing food vouchers to those most in need.
Ana’s husband has abandoned her, leaving her with two small children. On some days she can leave her children with relatives to attend to house cleaning jobs. This is a hand-to-mouth existence and, as the winter season is draws to a close, many expats leave town for the summer months. When this happens Ana’s work opportunities disappear.
She remembers how heartbroken she was when she saw her little ones go to bed hungry. However, that has now changed because Ana is getting support from the Feeding the Hungry charity.
Ana is extremely grateful for the food vouchers she receives. Knowing that someone cares enough to support her family in her time of need gives her encouragement to keep doing the best she can for her children.
If you would like to join in providing hope and making a real difference in the lives of the least fortunate in our community, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Ben and Harriet Purkey purkeybh@gmail.com or Gordon and Joy Blackie gordonandjoy@gmail.com
SNAP - Spay, Neuter, and Prevention
The family that “spays together, stays together!”
Just three weeks into the second quarter of 2024, SNAP has funded an unprecedented 598 sterilizations for the dogs and cats of East Cape—a 32% increase from last year! Under the guidance of their dedicated primary veterinarian, Dr. Cristobal Cosio, (affectionately known as Dr. C) SNAP has expanded its reach to Miraflores, El Campamento, and Santiago, conducting community pet sterilization clinics throughout March and April.
Dr. C emphasizes the importance of pet owners being involved in the process. These community clinics emphasize pet owners actively participating in the pre and post-surgery care of their pets and it’s amazing to see the love and care. It’s truly heartwarming! The turnout has been inspiring, underscoring that true leadership often involves stepping back to empower others. "True leadership is about creating more leaders, not followers."
SNAP is creating leaders in more ways than one… during the Santiago clinic, they introduced Dr. Nicki Cady, a first-year veterinarian to Baja style spay and neuter clinics. Dr. Cady jumped right in working alongside families in the recovery area. Dr. Cady's next assignment is to work at an animal rescue in California.
April has also been a month of collaboration with Cortez Rescue & Outreach offering raffle prizes to pet owners who bring their dog into the office for sterilization this month. They are hoping to prevent the ‘spring fling’ that really ‘heats’ up right about this time of the year! Big thanks for their assistance in helping SNAP spread the word and all of you who have donated to keep SNAP leading the way in this important social cause.
Crescent Moon Project - Art for Children
In 1954, the Mexican government declared April 30th as “Día del Niño” to honor and promote the well-being of children in the country. Since then, Children's Day is celebrated all over Mexico, with various activities and events organized for children in schools, communities, and families. Locally here in Los Barriles, on April 28th, the “Children’s Day Pancake Breakfast and Art Project” event will be sponsored by Crescent Moon Project and the Rotary Club.
In preparation for our local Los Barriles Childrens’ Day, the children have been learning the art of piñata creation! This has been one of the longest ongoing projects the children have worked on to date. They have been completely engaged with the process of visualizing, designing, and creating these personalized pinatas!
After starting with balloons, the children prepared paste with flour and water, then the strips using newspaper and recycled paper. The balloon was covered with strips of paper dipped in paste, allowed to dry, and three more layers were applied on subsequent days. For basic paper mache projects, paint would be applied at this point and the project completed. But, for piñata making, there’s still lots to do!
After covering the sculpture with thread, the children then attached tissue paper strips around the piñata. This stage is the longest and requires patience, focus, and perseverance. Some children decided to paint their piñata which took another several days as a few layers of paint were necessary. The pintas were then embellished with further decoration. What an amazing experience for the children. And, they also got the opportunity to learn a bit about piñatas, which symbolize joy, unity, and the essence of celebration. As an important cultural tradition of Mexico, their presence signifies the spirit of coming together to enjoy life's festivities-just like the art classes at Crescent Moon!
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