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The Kindersley Rotary Club Kindersley Rotary Club’s “Road Trip” to Mexico

By Marilyn RogersRoad Trip to Mexico

 

How could it be? Only six chickens were to feed over 100 children at the orphanage. A handful of garlic, a pot of water and chicken meat with bones made the only meal these children had that day.

 

First row l to r:

Kathy Friesen, John Powell, Padre Macias, Ana Maria Powell, Marilyn Rogers

Second row l to r:

Bob Friesen, Randy Getz, Glenys Getz, Karen Schaitel, Ken Meadows, Ron Rogers
On some days, there was only a tea, made of hibiscus blossoms that dulled the hunger. For the past fifty years, Padre Macias Llama had faith that the children would be provided for by caring people. Where would the support come from since there was no money coming from the Catholic Church or the Mexican Government. Through caring individuals, groups and small business owners who donated food, clothing and credit.

 

In the summer of 2006 John Powell from Rotary eClub One and his wife, Ana Maria, visited the Rotary Club of Kindersley, SK. Canada to share their concern about an orphanage, especially the scarcity of food. In the fall a mud slide not only caused damage to the structure of many buildings at Ninos Y Jovenes at San Juan Cosala, about an hour south of Guadalajara Mexico, but also destroyed what little possessions the kids had. The Kindersley Rotary Club made this orphanage their international project by creating the “3 F” program (FIVE dollars on the FIFTH of the month for FOOD), donated money for repairs and organized a “Road Trip” to work for a week at the orphanage in January 2009.

 


Rotary volunteers at work
Five Rotarians and three Friends of Rotary made the trip.  Joining the team were John and Ana Maria, who thankfully are bilingual and loved by the Padre and Arna Lewis from the Rotary Club of Ajijic Mexico, who not only worked side by side with the team but was a tireless “Go For”. Upon arrival the plan was to paint one dormitory and the dining room,  install one solar heating unit for hot showers and do whatever needed repairing.

 

On the first day, the reaction of the kids and the Padre was very reserved as no one had ever shown them, through their actions that others cared about their well being.  By the second day we had earned their trust and now the kids were greeting us, helping us paint and hoping that we would get to their dormitory next. Seeing the expectation on their faces made us work harder to get more done - and we did!

 


Preparation of chicken meal
The dormitories were just four walls and 10-12 bunk beds made of cement with mattresses and blankets but little else - no sheets, pillows, toilet seats, shower doors, hot water, proper sinks, toilet paper, mirrors etc. Painting the walls and metal sides of the bunks in bright fresh colors; washing the floors and bathrooms; supplying toilet paper, towels, toilet seats, mirrors, hair brushes, shampoos, soaps and basic medical supplies; providing notebooks, pencils, pens, markers, chalk etc. for the junior high school, which is also a part of the orphanage, was the least we could do. Their most prized gift was a lock and key for their locker which gave them a sense of privacy for their few belongings.

 

As it turned out the team painted three dormitories and the dining room; taught English classes; took and gave out school photo packages; paid and installed two solar heating units; distributed warm clothing; purchased bags full of personal care items, basic medical supplies and school supplies with enough money left over to leave $1000 CDN for food. It was an incredible experience to have an opportunity to make such a difference in the lives of over 100 children.

 

One of our greatest rewards came on the last day when many wrote letters and posters telling us how happy they were that we spent time with them and asked for nothing in return. There is more work to be done next year and they are counting on our return to help make a better life for them so they can make a better life for themselves.

 

Little by Little We Do Make a Difference!

 

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