LA GRANJA
We started this year with some big changes. In December last year it was decided that 6 of our children were ready to be reunited with family. 4 other children decided to not return, against our advice, as they wanted to live with family members whom we had assessed as not being capable of caring for them. In total therefore I lost 10 of my kids just before Christmas.
When the kids arrived in January there was an obviously different feel to the place. It was very quiet, with only half of our beds occupied. This was quickly changed though. 2 boys of 14 years of age were quickly added to our program, and 2 weeks ago two 6 year olds entered the program. It was a tough couple of weeks with the little guys. The other boys were incredibly helpful, but one of the 6 year olds was completely dependant on myself or the older kids. He refused to shower in cold water (creating a fight between him and I every morning), didn't know how to cloth himself, use the facilities, or even feed himself. But two weeks down the track we are already seeing huge improvement and Jose Luis has already become much more independent. Aside from all that though the new boys are a pleasure to have around and I am excited at the prospect of being able to minister to a new bunch of kids this year. Of course I miss the boys from last year a lot - we had become like a family - but I´m glad that the ultimate goal of reuniting children with their families has been achieved. I also must trust the Lord in handing these children back out into a very tough country. Sadly to say, the four boys who have left our program against our advice have all returned asking to be re-accepted, which is against the current philosophy of the institution.
When the kids arrived in January there was an obviously different feel to the place. It was very quiet, with only half of our beds occupied. This was quickly changed though. 2 boys of 14 years of age were quickly added to our program, and 2 weeks ago two 6 year olds entered the program. It was a tough couple of weeks with the little guys. The other boys were incredibly helpful, but one of the 6 year olds was completely dependant on myself or the older kids. He refused to shower in cold water (creating a fight between him and I every morning), didn't know how to cloth himself, use the facilities, or even feed himself. But two weeks down the track we are already seeing huge improvement and Jose Luis has already become much more independent. Aside from all that though the new boys are a pleasure to have around and I am excited at the prospect of being able to minister to a new bunch of kids this year. Of course I miss the boys from last year a lot - we had become like a family - but I´m glad that the ultimate goal of reuniting children with their families has been achieved. I also must trust the Lord in handing these children back out into a very tough country. Sadly to say, the four boys who have left our program against our advice have all returned asking to be re-accepted, which is against the current philosophy of the institution.
We continue our photography, scrapbooking, nintendo, and computing programs this year. We also continue with my favourite part of the program, a daily devotion before tea time. This devotional time has changed dramatically since last year. We decided as a group to change from the very dry Catholic prayers they were praying to a more personal devotion time. The boys acknowledged that their rote prayers were impersonal, and they had NO idea about the meaning of their prayers. An example was that they prayed the Lords prayer 5 times each night, but they were unable to explain the significance of ANY of the prayer, nor the reason behind having to pray it so many times. We instead now spend time praying for a different boy every night, followed by prayer about different topics that I or the group suggest. We then spend about 15 minutes reading the bible. We are currently reading through the Gospels, and the boys have enjoyed acting out stories like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son while I have been reading to them. It has been encouraging to see the boys take courage in praying out loud. To start with they refused, but over time they understood the power in petitioning and praising together as a group, and now some of the quietest kids are participating regularly.
This year many of the children moved into highschool. We now have about 35 highschool students who are receiving homework far above the standard of the resources we have at the orphanage. They daily come to our outdated library to research things like
- which part of the human cell disposes of waste
- what is the difference between human cells and plant cells
- what are the major mountain regions of Colombia
- what are the major river systems in Colombia
The resources we have are completely inadequate to research such questions, so most days my two laptops are well used between the 35 children. It is not an ideal situation, and it pains me to see kids who are in such a vulnerable position (in regards to their academic success) without the proper resources to compete with their peers at school.
The Heathwood family, long time friends in Canberra, have acquired 5 laptops to be donated to the orphanage. This would provide us with sufficient computer access to meet the needs of the teenagers we have. The only problem we are facing is transporting them to Colombia. Cameron got a quote of $1000 between Canberra and Bogota, without the batteries attached to the computers. We would then need to cover the cost of buying batteries over here. The computers do not have wireless capability, so we would also need to arrange for internet connection.
- what is the difference between human cells and plant cells
- what are the major mountain regions of Colombia
- what are the major river systems in Colombia
The resources we have are completely inadequate to research such questions, so most days my two laptops are well used between the 35 children. It is not an ideal situation, and it pains me to see kids who are in such a vulnerable position (in regards to their academic success) without the proper resources to compete with their peers at school.
The Heathwood family, long time friends in Canberra, have acquired 5 laptops to be donated to the orphanage. This would provide us with sufficient computer access to meet the needs of the teenagers we have. The only problem we are facing is transporting them to Colombia. Cameron got a quote of $1000 between Canberra and Bogota, without the batteries attached to the computers. We would then need to cover the cost of buying batteries over here. The computers do not have wireless capability, so we would also need to arrange for internet connection.
If anyone has any ideas on the issue, or would be willing to help to cover some of the cost, please let me know.
The boys continue to work very hard making wrist bands, with 5 boys having already earned their ticket to the beach, and another 5 well on their way. Thankyou to those who have bought bands, and those whom have helped sell them. The trip has been postponed to September, due to a request from the boys school, which leaves us more time to make and sell bands.
I´m still short in painted bible verses to post around my room if anyone is interested in helping out with that. Our room looks fantastic with Bethany´s paintings, but the boys long ago memorised those verses, so I would love to add some more to our room. I would also like some more dedicated prayer partners this year, considering the new boys who are entering into the program. Please let me know if you can pray regularly for one of my boys.
MUNDO NUEVO
Some very exciting things have been happening in Mundo Nuevo over the past months. I have been so proud to see a music program of only 5 instruments grow into a well run and well known program. The credit for this must go to my Auntie, Magdalena, for her tireless efforts in raising funds in France to support the program; and my Auntie, Maria Teresa, whom runs the program in Mundo Nuevo.
- The French Ambassador continues to support our program. He donated 16 string instruments last year, and along with 4 more that we purchased we have commenced string classes. 4 professional musicians are donating one afternoon a week to teach the new students, most of whom are under 10 years of age; and another afternoon a week a music teacher is teaching theory to these new musicians. The French Ambassador has confirmed a date in April to play a concert in his Embassy in Bogota to other Ambassadors to Colombia
- The 12 students whom received scholarships to study French are progressing very well. They have a 6 hour class every Saturday morning, and they are all very enthusiastic and dedicated. They all realise the potential in the opportunity they have been given, especially considering their musical talent, their strong academic achievement and our close relationship with the French Ambassador.
- 8 students retained a scholarship to study on Saturdays at the Technical University of Pereira. They were invited to study string instruments (different South American guitars) with teachers from the university. This is another fantastic opportunity for kids who may find a future in music. I went along with the group yesterday, and felt so proud to see them studying along university students. When I first arrived here most of them were around 10 years of age. Five years down the track they are responsible young adults, dedicated to taking any available opportunity that is handed their way. They are talented, strong minded, and good hearted. I was talking to one of the 15 year olds in one of the breaks yesterday. He was telling me about a very troubled home life; and sharing how music is the only outlet he has. He described music as the only place he feels safe and free, and the only place he can express himself. Just in him we have achieved our goals with the music program, for was it not for the music program, I have little doubt about the life that boy would be leading.
- Last week we received a visit from Yamaha´s Director of International Relations to South America. He was very impressed with the standard of music being produced by our students, and said he was ´speechless´. He told us that Mundo Nuevo was no longer to be an anonymous music program in South America, and promised us 5 scores of music along with generous discounts on instruments.
FUTBOL (as they spell it here)
As I'm sure you would have picked up by now, Mundo Nuevo is home to some very disadvantaged families. There is much poverty; and one of the aims of the music program was to allow for an escape and an outlet for children living in impoverished and often abusive households.
We realised over the last year though that the program was serving a distinctive type of child. The children in the music program are generally studious, generally well behaved, and are generally more positive members of the school community. The program was therefore not serving children who displayed more "at risk" behaviour.
I am very grateful for Richard, the security guard at the school, who decided he wanted to open a soccer school for kids in the community. Against what I saw as all odds (mainly $), he has succeeded in bringing 40 at risk children together, and has formed 3 soccer teams. Immediately the needs that were being met in the community were obvious. Kids and youths who would usually be hanging around the neighbourhood doing nothing (or worse) were brought together to meet positive aims.
Through support that you have given me I decided to purchase 10 soccer balls for the teams last year; and I decided last night to enter the boys in a 6 month competition at a local sports and recreation centre. The deal is pretty sweet, the entry fee is only $200 for the whole team, and after the weekly matches the boys have full access to the facilities in the recreation centre. I hope it to be a positive experience for the boys, and an opportunity for me to minister to children I have previously not had contact with.
The local government also recently invited us to enter a city wide soccer tournement, based on the soccer world cup. Our team in Mundo Nuevo will be representing Uruguay over the next few months.
As with most things, we still have some needs. We definitely do not have enough balls, nor uniforms, if anyone is able to help out.
I´m excited what this year will bring, thankyou for partnering with me and the children I am ministering to.
(sorry its dark, but this is my group in La Granja, 2010)
I´m excited what this year will bring, thankyou for partnering with me and the children I am ministering to.
(sorry its dark, but this is my group in La Granja, 2010)Jon Howes.
