On Wednesday, July 21^st, with the help of Starfish Orphan Ministries, we were able to start getting our Day Care project moving in the community of San Luis Talpa.  We still have a long way to go before the Day Care will be up and running, but this week marked significant progress towards that goal.

A few members of the Starfish Orphan Ministries team with experience and expertise in day care were able to lend us a hand by giving a training course for women of the community.  These women were chosen based on their ability to care for children, responsibility they have shown in the past, and a desire to pursue this opportunity for a new job.  The course went very well and we are extremely grateful to the Starfish team for lending us their skills and know-how.  They even brought in certificates of achievement that were distributed upon completion of the course.  At the end of the day we held a small ceremony where each woman was presented with her certificate.  It was a wonderful time to get to praise the women and give them some recognition they may not often receive.

While the training was being held, the rest of the team eagerly got to work both helping deco-block the inside of our most recent building and playing with the kids.  Their help made it possible to finish the inside walls in order to get them ready to be painted the next day.  While some of the group worked, the others had a plethora of activities planned for the kids including balloon animals, Bible story plays, and interactive puppet shows that the kids all thoroughly enjoyed.

The next day, one of the team members was able to return with us to the project in order to paint the walls to get the day care ready.  We spent the day filling the walls with as many animals and other drawings as we had time to.  We’re excited to continue with this project and thankful the team was gracious enough to lend us Michaela to help us out in beautifying our walls.

Friday was sadly our last day with Starfish, but it was a great way to end the week.  They were able to bring over 20 disabled kids and teen moms from CIPI Orphanage to enjoy a day at our beach house.  We felt extremely blessed able to be a part of such a special day for God’s beautiful children.  Their excitement and laughter playing in the pool and the ocean made for an amazing day.

The love and patience showed by everyone there was a yet another reminder of how important it is for us to care for the least ofthese, who are so often forgotten.  We know the love shown to those kids and the rare chance for them to spend a day away from the orphanage was a blessing from God and we can’t thank Him enough for such an opportunity.

Thanks to the Starfish team for helping us out and spending time with us this week, it was a blessing to see the way God is using each and every one of you to love His children in a special way.

July 1^st marked the arrival of a new group called Global Sustainability Project.  All linked as UCLA alum, the group brought with them ideas and projects to work on development in our community in San Luis Talpa.  The week was much different than our usual teams, since for the most part the group planned it out themselves.

The first day we had a meeting and our staff was able to discuss and learn of the ideas that GSP had for the week that lay ahead.  They brought ideas for projects in many areas, some of which fit with what HFTH had already been looking into, and some new and innovative ideas.  The purpose of this trip was to be a research opportunity, as GSP’s first project of what they hope will turn into many community development projects.

Throughout the week the group gathered information about the community through surveys, meetings, and community gatherings.  We were able to have some insightful conversations with community members who brought up issues, as well as attributes of the community that aren’t easy to see at first glance.  Much thought and planning was put into each part of the week, as individual team members focused on different projects.

These projects looked at things like education, employment, agriculture, day care, a community center, a playground and a soccer field.  The team was able to get lots of information, learn about the culture and began to gain a general understanding for what implementing these projects would mean.

A few of the days were dedicated to workshops for the community members.  One of those workshops focused on goals they have both as an individual, and for their family, community.  We were all able to learn about the individuals of the community through this exercise and everyone enjoyed a time of community outside of their normal days.

The kids had their own “meeting” of sorts full of games and fun lead by the kids themselves who were full of ideas.  The kids also had a “community talk” where they were able to share their ideas and hopes for what their community would look like.  It was a great time of sharing and learning from each other and gave the kids a chance they may not often have to voice their opinions.  One day of the week was set aside for arts and crafts for both kids and adults.  The adults enjoyed making paper flowers, while the kids worked on bracelets with the help of the team.

Overall the week was a time of talking, asking questions, listening and learning.  Before any of these projects can be implemented it is important to get to know the community and their wants, needs, and ability to contribute, so this week served as the first foundation for that knowledge and understanding.  Another team from GSP is scheduled to come down August 7^th to continue the process of listening, learning and developing side by side with the community.