Christmas 2010

As the Christmas season approached, one of the generous friends who has been a committed supporter had an idea.  Since most of the girls don't have anyone who cares or is in a financial position to provide "Christmas", why don't we do something.  With time ruunning short, with the co-operation of our contacts in Jalapa and the blessing of the Sisters, we were able to have a catered Christmas dinner for the girls with roast chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies, cake and juice.  We wanted to make sure every girl received a present as well.  Considered the needs of the girls, we followed the advice of the Sisters and each girl got a new sweater to help keep warm when they started back to school in January.

This shot was taken just before supper with most of the girls showing off their gifts.

Recognize the girl kneeling front left with the mauve sweater?

Yes, she's the one on the steps in the photo on the home page taken 7 years ago.

The man and woman in the background are Rita and Annibal Ortiz and the girl far right is their daughter Rita-Maria.  Rita-Maria and her husband and their 2 sons live in Guatemala City, and Annibal and Rita live in Jalapa, where they and their other children operate a book and stationery store.  Rita has been helping as much as she can with the girls since the Sisters started taking in the unwanted and uncared for waifs.  She is our contact with Casa-Hogar and all the funds that I do not spent directly, are left with her to be spent as required.  Rita maintains meticulous accounts and sends reports periodically.  Every time I am in Jalapa, I review all the expenditures and am always impressedwith her diligence and wisdom in discerning what is really needed.  We would not have been able to accomplish nearly as much without her dedication and committment.