FIESTA NAVIDENA

 

We have been prepped for this very special day and all know it is going to be a very busy day.  The first sign of activities is when I enter the Hacienda well before 8:00 am and see a few of the students cutting and squeezing oranges for Agua Fresca. They explain that water and sugar is added to make a refreshing drink for the Fiesta.

But first, we take our volunteers to the Archeological site Las Campanas and drive to Colima, to give them all an opportunity to do some last minute shopping or to visit the square,  museum, Cathedral or the Government Palace. They’re all within walking distance from the square. We meet for lunch at Los Naranjos and drive to the Rotary Club to prepare for the big Fiesta. 

 

The goody bags are all ready with small toys and now 300 candy bags need to be stuffed and more than a dozen piñata prepared.

Ted gives us a final briefing and we all know what needs to be done.

 

 

 

In the mean time, the close to 300 children who have all been fitted with a new set of clothes and shoes are being picked up from their schools or community by buses and are about to arrive at 4:00 pm. All volunteers, senior students and staff form a long welcoming line and as one bus load arrives through the gate, a lot of cheering is going on. All the kids are in anticipation of THE party of the year, they have all been waiting for, for so long.

We hardly recognize them as they are all groomed and wear clean clothes.

Many of the girls have their hair done in breads and the boys gelled hair shimmer in the hot afternoon sun.

 

 

The drinks are on the tables, the cakes ready to be cut and placed on the plates. Volunteers are running around serving and assisting where needed. Even the security guard is helping.

 

Many of the children may not have had a meal yet today, so our first priority is to seat them at their designated tables by school and put a bowl of Pozole in front of them, followed by a big piece of cake. Many of the kids from Queseria are not used to eat with fork or knife and dig into their cake with two hands. The volunteers who also like cake, do demonstrate how to eat cake.

 

Our former Becario and mayor of Cofradia Noe has arrange for several games with prizes, they dance and sing and all the sugar they just consumed is taking its effect.

It’s time for the Piñata to be broken. Three groups are formed to separate the little ones from the bigger kids. They sing their usual song and by the count of four of the song, the person holding the stick takes once more swing, hoping this hit will break the piñata. When it does we see dozens of little bodies diving for the ground to get whatever they get.

On the side, on the stage are a small group of volunteers watching out for the shyer once who may not have had a chance to grab some candy. Everyone should get the same or least not much more or much less than the other.

At a party as this we need to continue to keep the kids occupied. While they show each other their candies or prizes from the games, Santa Bob has seated himself on the stage and Antonio is ready with his camera to take a shot of every child who want to sit with Santa, if even only for 5 seconds. Little Cesar, is lifted out of his wheelchair and carried onto the stage for his picture with Santa.

 

At times he seems a bit scared but I see him smile as he gets on the dance floor with Francis who is his caregiver. Cesar is very special to all of us. A couple of very generous sponsors from Alberta have arranged for Cesar to attend school through Project Amigo, and have given him an opportunity to be a child like all others. Without this help Cesar would be at home on the floor or carried around in an old stroller, without a chance of any form of formal education.

We have seen many indications of the success of Project Amigo’s efforts and the support of its many donors and sponsors. But it’s at a day like to day that I am overwhelmed by the many things we do and the many children and families we help. I see many volunteers spending time with their Becario (or sponsored child), they are so happy to have this little extra bit of attention. This is an opportunity to spend quality time with them and play and dance or present them with a small gift.

 

Some children approach the volunteers, as they recognize them as the one who have helped them with their new outfit or new shoes they are wearing today.

With all the fun WE are having we almost fill guilty, but we know what an impact we have made on the lives of these poor children.

Luisa's Parents

Luisa

Diana

A small girl come running up to me with a big smile, and asks me where her Madrina is. I recognize her; It’s Diana, a girl from a family of nine children we sponsored on behalf of our daughter Mandy and her family. When I tell her that her Madrina is not here, she seems very disappointed. I tell her that they are in Canada and have a family themselves, but that we are here to spend time with her. Her smile returns and throughout the afternoon she comes looking for me to dance or receive candy if I happen to be handing out any. Our own Becario, Francisco, is also there and wants to make sure all his friends know that we are his Padrinos.

 

Lorane and her Madrina Lisa

But once Lisa, one of our volunteers, seems to have been spotted by a little girl named Lorena Edith Ochoa Marcial, we’re all touched. Lisa is also attracted to this little girl, they connect, and dance and play. Later, When Lisa hears Lorena does not have a sponsor she wants to sponsor her.  I have to honor of Introducing Lorena to Lisa as her sponsor and feel tears popping up when I see the little girl’s face as she throws her arms around Lisa and give her a big hug. "Thank you, thank you" she keeps repeating. "I have my own Madrina!"

 

What an event. Everyone is having fun, but everyone is tired.

 

Once the dancing is over and the candies are gone, we send the kids home on the bus with a goody bag and another bag of candy.

I need to withdraw for a moment and find a quiet place by myself to absorb all these emotions, reflect on our own lives and learn to appreciate and embrace it more.

Thanks Ted and Susan, volunteers, sponsors and donors and all staff members of Project Amigo to make this possible for the children of Colima and give us this opportunity to be part of it all.