Recently I attended the highly anticipated opening at Misión San Pablo of their new learning and computer center and to express appreciation to those who made it possible: The Athabasca Rotary Club, Rotary International, The Wild Rose Foundation of Alberta and Ajijic Rotary.
The Misión is an orphanage in Cedros, Jalisco for children who have lost their parents due to AIDS. While all are documented to be HIV-negative, they are emotionally scarred from watching parents and siblings die of the virus.
After the ceremony, and during a most delightful lunch, I met Jorge, (not his real name) one of the more enthusiastic pan servers. When asked his age, he replied proudly, "Ten, on my birthday next month!"
Later on, I would learn more about Jorge. Upon his arrival at The Misión, he desired to embrace every adult passing within his reach. At first, such behavior was not equated with a need to reconnect with a parent figure; to touch them...to love them. Finally, the answer came when his story was told by a relative.
When he was three both of his parents died of Aids. He was relegated to his next of kin by the proper agency. They, fearful of contacting the dreaded disease that took his parents, chose to isolate this three year old, frightened child in a locked room. Jorge would spend the next four years there... alone.
At the Misión, it would become obvious, that Jorge was starved for two things, love and knowledge. Love came with the territory, and he would demonstrate a hunger for knowledge. When other kids were out playing, he could be studying his next lesson. Miraculously, after all those years alone, he is now educationally equal to his peers. It is clear to all that Jorge now has a destiny.
There are around forty others here at the Misión like Jorge, some with similar stories, some even more tragic... all defying belief. It is almost impossible to describe the high one gets being surrounded by such a group, radiating a light of joyful appreciation in demonstrating the effect of total love and compassion.
ONGOING EVENTS
Within the mission's educational programs, three tutors were recently hired to bring the children's' education up - maybe beyond - the standard of their peers, some of whom are lagging 2 -3 years behind. In addition, volunteers are working with special needs children. Now and then the staff finds that a child they thought was retarded is really just one who needs attention and encouragement.
More help is desperately needed, therefore, the Amigos de Mision San
Pablo is making it possible for anyone at Lakeside to share their knowledge and talent with the children. Contact can be made by accessing the website posted below or contacting Bettina Rigby. (Cell 0453331966185).
CURRENT URGENT NEEDS
(1) The existing electrical system is currently a knitted-together jumble of wires, which often cause shorts, wasting electricity, and are unsafe.
(2) The Amigos continuously struggle to meet the $54,000 Peso, about $5,400 US, monthly expenses.
(3) Many of the children have fallen behind in their education, and need special tutoring, an additional $3,000 pesos per week.
(4) There is an immediate need for a separate girls-only dormitory.
Misión San Pablo is located in Cedros, Mexico, about 10 miles north of Lake Chapala, and just south of Guadalajara, Jalisco. If you are in search of a life-altering experience at this juncture of your journey, look no further.. For proof, just drop by and spend a few minutes with Jorge and the rest of the Children of Misión San Pablo. Contact Dixie Topham at 766-5987 to arrange a time to visit.
This is one charity where 100% of all donations go directly to the children. For in-depth information regarding the Mision, as well as the many ways to make contributions, click on their website: www. misionsanpablo.org.
I promise you...One visit is all you will need.
Just do it!
