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Summer Vacation! |
Greetings from Cochabamba,
What two words do kids love to hear? Summer vacation, of course! Since summer break in Bolivia is December and January, it coincides with Christmas, the New Year, Kings' Day and this year, a big move for the kids of Niños con Valor and a visit from a Canadian church.
We're excited to share about these updates, and look forward to an awesome 2017 full of growth and transformation.
Peace and Blessings, |
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Big Moves, Big Fun |
In December, our girls moved to a bigger house further south, and our boys moved into the girls' now vacant house. On the third floor of the boys' home, we set up an apartment for our oldest teens to help get them ready for the eventual move into the Sendero de Esperanza transition home. You cannot beat the view of the El Cristo from their balcony. The boys benefit from having older sisters around and the girls have more independence as an intermediary step to living on their own.
In the new homes, we’ve been sharing some great times during vacations. We’re fortunate to have dedicated staff and volunteers to support our kids. While summer days always seem to go by too quickly, the memories last forever.
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Our chef in the making, Manolo has been helping make lunches.
Eneas and Tia Caitlin skype with a classroom of first graders in Paoli, PA.
Some of the staff take a break after moving Pedacito de Cielo!
Marta and Evelyn are tuckered out after the move.
Karina and Alandra don't know that Marta is photobombing them.
Reading underneath the shade of tree; Laura, Martina and Zuleika utilize their new enclosed lawn area.
Mariela looks refreshed after working out at the closest park to the new girl's home.
Clara smiles even when she is building her muscles!
If you know Tomas, you know he loves water. Here's a creative way of getting a little more H2O.
Agustina channels her inner Katniss.
Fabian enjoys his car time and now he has a wide open space to cruise around.
Ice cream and fruitcake, Pedro has plenty to smile about.
Claudia overcame her initial fear to ride the horse for Equine Therapy.
Cynthia found a new friend.
Zamora looks like she's been riding horses for years.
Bemabe, Luis and Alarico participated in soccer camp twice a week during the summer.
Cristina and Marta go hand in hand to play in their separate playroom.
Johana and Paty clean their new mini kitchen.
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O Canada! |
A big thank you to the Commons team hailing from Canada! They were here for two weeks in January and were a welcome burst of fun and laughter to both the homes.
Besides planning activities like dancing, making and breaking piñatas, volcanos, play-doh, park days and games, they organized a staff appreciation video and card making AND watched all of the kids for over six hours to allow for staff training. This team is uh-mazing!!! We are grateful for their willingness to do whatever was needed and how much love they showed to our kids.
Thank you Jeanette, Matt, Sarah, Vaneesa, Gabe, Susan N, Zoe and Susan S!!! |
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Zoe stands by an almost complete wall to the homework center, which includes a chalkboard in the center. There is also a computer lab and library.
And... The finished product!
Vaneesa painted with purpose, getting this room edged and painted with several coats in less than 3 hours.
A special surprise for the Tias, thank you cards from the kids.
Victoria smiles at Sarah before adding another strip of newspaper.
Kattia and Zoe help a clearly excited Cynthia with the last of the Saran Wrap game.
Susan acts as encourager and timekeeper for Marcos as he tries to get to the prize with socks on his hands.
Gabe tries to open up the rest of the piñata to the delight of the kids.
Jeanette fixed most of the broken bicycles while teaching the boys.
Tia Genara and Tia Maritza get into making objects with beans and toothpicks.
The team breaking it down with the girls at Fabiola's 15th birthday celebration.
During some downtime, skipping with the kids, as Molly keeps the puppy and Fabian from wrestling.
The team walking back with the boys and girls from church on Sunday morning.
Gabe's Rubik's cube skills were a huge hit.
Spaghetti and bean tower construction - game on!
The team and all of the kids up at the Cristo statue.
Susan and Johana getting ready to attack one of 5 "interminable" pizzas.
One of the many dance interludes during the team's two weeks with us.
And one of the many interludes to chat and laugh.
Carlos and the boys prepping a welcome BBQ for the team's arrival.
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Staff Retreat |
Thanks to a generous donation we received, and the help of volunteers and the Commons team, we were able to hold two half-day retreats with all of our staff in December and January.
In December, we focused on team building, and on planning out the themes and major activities for 2017. Our themes for 2017 are:- Jan: The Future is Mine
- Feb: "Mirror, mirror"
- Mar: Education and Professionalism
- Apr: Values
- May: Family
- Jun: Bolivia and Biodiversity
- Jul: Getting to Know our World
- Aug: Art of Every Form
- Sep: Emotional Management
- Oct: Health
- Nov: Networks and Spiderwebs
- Dec: Looking back at 2017!
Then, in January, we had a refresher on the vision, mission and objectives of Niños con Valor, and worked through each team members roles and responsbilities.
These times were great for solidifying the relationships of the people who are taking on the important role of substitute parents for our children, and for forming a unified vision as we head into a new and exciting year. |
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Sponsorship Spotlight: Luis |
Luis, and his brother Pedro, arrived at the end of last year due to their health needs, and the precarious home situation they were living in.
Since joining the Pedacito de Cielo family, they have adjusted well, made friends with the other boys, and gotten in the home's routine. Luis enjoys soccer, playing with the other younger boys, and increasingly - getting in the mischief.
As he is one of our newest children, we are looking for sponsors to help us provide for his needs as he grows. If you would like to learn more about sponsorship, please visit our sponsorship page to learn how you can do so! |
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Christmas and Kings |
Christmas is a magical time of year, and were blessed to be able to provide our children with such a happy end to 2016. It is a time for family, for giving and receiving, and for reflecting on God's love for each of us. A huge "thanks" to Elevation, a church in Canada who raised funds to help make our meal and celebration an especially wonderful time.
January 6th is Dia de Reyes in Bolivia. It is the celebration of the arrival of the 3 kings, otherwise known as wisemen, who visited the baby Jesus and brought him gifts. In Bolivia children are given gifts and often this day is celebrated with a "chocolatada" (hot chocolate and cake or some other sweet). The NCV adaptation is a secret santa between all of the kids. The loveliest part about it was watching the big reveal of their secret santa and the cute hug before the gift was open.
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And the stocking were hung by the indoor balcony with care...
Tia Carolina and Paola spent hours shopping and packing the gift bags and stockings for the kids.
Jhoselin flashing her beautiful smile before opening her stocking.
Manolo was excited about every little thing, including his shampoo!
Marta spent the rest of the day pushing her new doll around in a baby carriage.
Diego took each item out carefully, one by one.
Natalia getting ready to open her Christmas gifts.
Timoteo all smiles to see his new Avengers cologne set.
Nohemi got the backpack she was hoping for.
The whole family, together for a wonderful Christmas celebration.
Fabian receives help from his Secret Santa, Paty.
Karina and Martina share a sweet hug.
Ramiro is overjoyed with all snacks he will get to eat.
Zuleika gets a little hug from Luis, as everyone else giggles.
Jhoselin hugs and thanks Abigail for her gift.
Treat time for Zuleika, Paulina, Martina, Alarico, Eneas and little Cristina. How do they all fit on the couch?!?
On the other side of the room, Agustina, Tia Karen, Clara, Paty, Eduardo, Tio Carlos and Diego take a break.
Christmas and Kings' Day were both fun and exhausting... Good thing there are always great tias like Rossmery to lean on :)
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Celebrate Good Times! |
There were many more reasons to celebrate over the vacations: Alandra's birthday, Kattia and Fabiola's quinceaños, and our annual Moda Loca.
A quinceneara is special celebration for 15-year-old girls who are passing into womanhood. At NCV each girl decides if she wants a party, a nice meal with all the girls in the house or to travel. Fortunately there are many helpful older sisters who can give advice :) No matter what the event, it is always a grand spectacle you don't want to miss!
The Moda Loca is a NCV event, created to do something special before school begins again. Each boy, girl, volunteer and staff member chooses something crazy to wear, and strut their stuff down the runway. Hoots and hollers follow! |
Fabiola dancing the waltz with brother Eduardo.
Paola shares some words of encouragement.
Maritza with a group of Fabiola's "damitas".
Fabiola posing for a photos with the staff of Corazón del Pastor.
Fabiola and Tio Tyson.
Agustina, Zamora and Tia Carolina trying out some marshmallows dipped in chocolate.
Fabiola taking a traditional bite of her cake, as her sister gets ready to "help" her.
And here is the result!
Kattia's quinceaños was a bit different, a day out at a resort center for a meal and some swimming with her CdP family.
Paola didn't let her escape the cake though.
Kattia and Jeanette taking the plunge!
Claudia, Marta and Cristina dipping their toes in the pool.
Our teens spent most of the day lounging around, enjoying the sunshine.
Eneas, our little Spider-Man, ready for the Moda Loca.
Without a doubt, the BEST hairstyles ever!
Yes, these actually are the directors of Niños con Valor.
Paulina with her daughter Cristina, both dressed to party.
Tia Caitlin smiling for a photo with Super Samuel.
Tia Ana, with out little Lion Ramiro.
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Our home that provides care for boys who have been orphaned, abandoned or removed from high-risk situations. |
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Our home that provides care for girls who have been orphaned, abandoned or removed from high-risk situations. |
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We also host volunteers, who fulfill important roles within our programs. Click here to learn more. |
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Our transitional program, helping prepare teens for independent living once they leave our residential homes. |
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