Since Mike and I will not be coordinating the Christmas Outreach next year, we decided to give some of the extra notebooks and pencils to the school in Algodones. This young lady decided she needed some extras before they were given away.
The upstairs has been remodeled! Delia wanted an area for the older children to play while the younger ones watched cartoons or took naps for played with "little kid stuff". So, she gave up her living room area and it became a spot for video games, darts (magnetic, not with points),
foosball,
reading books in Spanish and English
and even playing on a miniature sized pool table. What a great way to refine eye hand coordination.
There are also "older kid" art supplies and play dough and more books.
The storage room is as clean and neat as I have ever seen it. Some clothing will be kept for "accidents", and the rest will eventually go to those in need who come to the house.
The food storage area looks full, but it is amazing how much food we go through when we feel 20 plus every day for lunch and almost that many for breakfast... and then there is snack time.... Oh yea, we do go through food.
There will always be a room where children can stay overnight if the need arises.
On the day our visitors were expected, the kids were happy to pose and full of smiles!
And then, the courtyard filled up. The Kindergarten School Principal and teachers wanted all the parents to know that we existed and to have a first hand look. So, a day was set aside, the house was made ready and they came.... parents and children and teachers all looked around and experienced "Toma Mi Mano" for themselves.
It didn't take long for the children to make themselves at home.
The numbers were staggering; it was a full house!
Some stood off and observed.
Almost everyone decided to tour the house.
Some of our children were overwhelmed; the youngest one clung to me for most of the morning.
Others found comfort elsewhere.
Although the principal did not speak English and I do not speak Spanish, we communicated and we posed together with Delia and all of the staff members from the school.
The school is studying "values" and learning to value members of the community and each other. To show there appreciation for what "Toma Mi Mano" does for the community, each classroom brought presents the children had donated. There were brand new soccer balls, cleaning supplies, canned fruits and vegetables, dollies, and toilet paper. I'm sure I have forgotten some of it.
It was great fun to help unwrap!
The day was a success and we have welcomed a few more children as a result of more recognition in the community. It seems that each week there is something new happening. We met with Miriam last week and received a donation which will just cover the legal expenses and fees associated with the necessary inspections.
Some people here in the park have commented that Mike and my job won't be so demanding now that we have corporate sponsorship. We have corrected them and we want all of you to know that The Fundraising Event had corporate sponsorship but "Take My Hand" does not. We have always been supported completely by your generous donations and that continues to be true. Once we are a licensed nonprofit child care facility, there may be some grant money available from the government for specific purposes and we will explore all of those options.
Miriam and Eddy and the rest of us are busy making sure that all of our paperwork is complete. We expect to be granted international nonprofit status within the month! So when you make a donation, it will now be completely tax deductible no matter what country you file taxes in. I know that will make some of you very happy.
So, things change, but our mission stays the same; to serve God's children. Please keep the children, Delia, Adilene, Maria, and Mike and I in your prayers. And always remember to
Listen When God Whispers, and Respond When He Nudges.
