While the girls helped with the breakfast, I took my camera and started taking shots of the neighborhood, to help visualize the environment. Sunrise came you can start seeing some of the story the “barrio” Geographically it’s located is near the beach, which provides a nice breeze. But aside from tha
t, as you look through the buildings you will see the darker side of the community. Graffiti, trash, and old mechanical parts thrown just next to the orphanage, make it seem like a rough place to live at. But in these types of places, even though there is not much to look at, it was still rich in culture. Corner streets with open shops, restaurants, and eatery stands give it some of that flavor. People make the most of what they have there, utilizing every corner of their neighborhood to live, work, and socialize.
Come breakfast time, it was time to serve. We couldn’t help notice the portions being served; scrambled eggs usually about 2 spoons full for an adult. Then maybe 3-4 spoon full of beans. But overall, the kids looked very healthy. Jill had woken up early to help with making breakfast, she really got to know Teresa well. The Julie came after to help with distributing the drinks. Little by little the kids started to come into the dining room, and we were able to meet them. Some were shy, and some were eager to meet us. After breakfast, the kids even participated in cleaning up, from washing the dishes to helping pick up any other trash.
After breakfast we were excited to hand out the shoes, as well as the kids. They knew we had something in the van, so many of them had a sneak peek inside the van. Until to a point the van was filled with kids. No getting around to it, we just told the kids we would place the shoes in the tables so they can better see what fits them. One by one unloading the bags and placing them on the table Jill, Julie, and Kisha placed them. The kids looked so happy and excited to get a new/used pair of shoes. As soon as they started to try them on, it was instant connection and emotional experience. Imaging how far these shoes have traveled, who donated them, and who is receiving them was “awe” experience. One must see to fully appreciate the power of giving and receiving. We tried to document as much as possible to share the images with the donors from the US side. As it was winding down, the team realized the inventory that we had was plentiful; we had more shoes to give away. Then we asked Roberto if there was another orphanage which we can go to that we can donate the rest of it.
As we packed up from the first orphanage, and headed for the next one, little did we know what is ahead of us. As I look back, sometimes unplanned situations or spontaneous decisions are the best experiences in life. While in route, we started off thinking the orphanage was just down the street from the other place. 10 minutes into the drive we notice new developed homes lined up, as soon as you pass this area a road that leads into the mountains was reeking of trash and smell. It was a site to see having a developed area in one side, and mountains of trash on the other. We then started to drive down this hill, and the deeper we went into the mountains, we kept on driving into unpaved roads with big huge holes, and a river flowing next to the road. Literally, this type of road condition is good for horses or 4x4 trucks. As I was thinking to myself, this was a great off the beaten path situation. I decided to really capture the moment and got off the van and started to walk, really not the smartest idea as burning trash filled up the air, a cloud of black smoke. The road went on like this for about 20 minutes, and the van was just paraded wit trash, dirt, and smoke.
As soon as we arrived in the orphanage, we noticed the backdrop view of the place. Lush green vegetation, and wide open space, different from the trek that we just recently went through. Looking from the outside, we noticed this house, thinking maybe they had a small number of kids. Little did we know about what’s in stored for us here. Roberto had gone in first and gave them a heads up on us brining in shoes. Faces of kids where sticking out of the window and the doors, they were curious as to what we had brought. The team lined up the remaining shoes on the table, instructions was given to the kids; 4 at a time they were able to see and pick out a pair. I took a quick tour of this place, I first noticed the kitchen, small, but plenty of soul, per say. It was dark, but having the kids come in numbers at a time to eat felt like the place to be at. They had some of the kitchen needs from pans, some plates, shelves, canned foods, but no refrigerators or stoves. Anything that had to be cooked was on open fire just outside of the house. Just watching the kids eat, you can see how little they have, but they were for the most part happy. Portions of bread and shared soup made a great lunch for them. Open canned goods of corn, beans, peas, and others, was ready to be made into something really tasty. Once I found out the number of kids living there, I was instantly surprised by the food they had to share for 70-80 kids plus a few adults living there. Day in and day out they have 3 meals a day, and some of the shelves I seen was pretty empty, only saw maybe 10 cans at the most. What makes it more interesting is the location of the place. Because it was so remote, it was hard to get to, and I was thinking how they often get supplies for their basic needs. Sure they had the nice view, but really to get to developed areas they would need access to supermarket or stores. This alone was a challenge for them. Outside of the home we saw live stock, which maybe they also try and live a sustainable life style. The team would’ve loved to stay longer and get to know the staff and kids, but considering the time we had to depart after an hour later.
On our way home, most of us shared our thoughts on the experience. Ultimately this was an eye opening for everyone. The power of giving was forever engraved in us, and was avid to do more like projects. Plus, we the spirits high, the team was able to pseudo come up with a non-profit organization name.
On a personal note, looking back on this project, it took a lot of work, but work that was doable. Considering my own busy schedule I was able to manage some time for this project. Having an amazing team helped tremendously make it easy all around. I wonder also if others can also do more for their community or human brothers and sisters.
Jill, Kisha, Josie, and Julie thank you kindly for your generous support and time on the project. I look forward to doing more in the near future.
“Everything is going to be O.T.A.Y”
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