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Family Visits
From Abroad |
Greetings from Cochabamba!
For the past couple of months we found ourselves in the middle of our summer service trips (during Bolivia's winter) where three teams spent time pouring into our kids and staff, and encouraging us immensely. The days are full, especially for the groups who are usually on the go from 8 am to 8 pm every day. Thank you to the teams from: Coeur D'alene, Idaho; La Jolla, California; and Arlington, Virgnia!
We hope you enjoy the photos of these visits, plus our other updates. If you'd like to bring a group down (it doesn't have to be with a church!) please send us a note and we'll give you all the details :)
Peace and Blessings, |
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| Team Coeur D'Alene |
| What happens when you take six people from one of the most scenic cities in the U.S. and add science, soccer balls, sidewalk chalk, fun and enthusiasm? You get a week filled with curiosity, laughter and active learning. Thank you Diane, Derek, Carol, Mike, Kierstie and Tyler for the lasting memories, and for fixing up the countertops at CDP and installing a door to our pre-Sendero apartment! |
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Kierstie helps her sponsored child Claudia draw a flower.
Samuel gets into putting his handprint on the mural as Cristina looks on.
Carol and Mike make a great remodelling team.
Diane shows Timoteo and Manolo how to shoot the balloon rocket.
The finished door to the Pre-Sendero apartment.
Derek and Samuel play a version of tic-tac-toe.
Carol teaches Clara and Samuel a new game.
Kierstie helps Timoteo with his recorder finger placement.
Mike and Ramiro have an inside joke.
Fun with balloons!!!
Diane and Tyler test their marshmallow structure to Martina's delight.
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| Team La Jolla |
| It was a blessing to have our second group of the summer/winter to join us from La Jolla (with one team member hailing from Arizona). Reading and gardening where the biggest winners of the week as well as a special peña with a mariachi band and traditional Bolivian music. Thank you Barb, Julia, Melissa and Susanna for your loving support, and for setting up some stellar gardens in both our homes! |
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Melissa reads "The Cat in the Hat" to the boys.
Julia helps Claudia, Alandra, Johana and Nohemi work on their bracelets.
The middle and older girls work on coloring a new zippered pouch.
Barb and Melissa prepping to install a hanging ceiling in our new Caminos Abiertos program.
Susanna working hard to help create a new garden.
The beautiful new garden at Pedacito de Cielo boys' home.
The Mariachi band, playing at our folkloric festival in honor of Paola's birthday.
Paola dancing with her son, Mateo, who also was the driver for the team.
Some of the boys presenting a traditional dance.
And the girls showing another.
Melissa and Tomas dancing.
Bittersweet goodbyes.
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| Sendero Move! |
When we first opened our Sendero de Esperanza transition home in 2014 in a 2-bedroom apartment, we knew that it would be temporary. With so many teen girls living in Corazón del Pastor, it was inevitable that we would need more space as the years went on. Currently, only three young women are a part of the program; however, by the end of 2018, that number will likely go up to 8!
With this in mind, and due to some security concerns at the apartment complex, we have moved into a larger house that has room to grow. It is located near our pre-Sendero apartment, which will allow for more frequent joint activities, and a more consistent presence of our transition coordinator.
The move went smoothly thanks to the elbow grease of the team from Restoration, and our young women are enjoying the bigger space and yard! |
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| Sponsorship Spotlight: Mari |
In this newsletter's spotlight, we'd like to introduce you to Mari. Mari, who is 3-years-old, joined us, along with her younger sister, Sandra, in February this year. She came to us from a large home in the city where she had been living with over 150 other children.
The change for the sisters was a big one, and it took several weeks for Mari to adjust to the routine. She cried a lot, and demanded the attention she hadn't received early in life.
Now, as you can see in the photo to the left, Mari is fully integrated into the home. She has eyes like the moon - big and bright - and is incredibly affectionate. She likes to learn new things, and though she is still hard to understand, will talk your ear off if you give her the time.
By sponsoring a child like Mari, you help meet all of her needs, provide her with exciting opportunities, and become part of her extended family. 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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| Team Arlington |
| Our final team of the year came just recently from Restoration Anglican church in Arlington, VA. This was our biggest team of 2017, 16 members in all, and included NCV founder Endel Liias. The team worked with the church our children attend, La Trinidad, to help lead their annual retreat. They also planned a ton of fun activities for our kids and staff, fixed the floor of our girls' study room, and helped us move our Sendero de Esperanza transition home! Thanks so much Alexa, Andrew, Bennett, David, Desiree, Diana, Endel, Eva-Elizabeth, JP, Kate, Laurel, Lauren, Macrae, Phil, Rachel and Wayne! |
Martina smiling alongside Eva-Elizabeth and Kate.
Our little Cristina, having a chat with our volunteer, Cristina, and team member Alexa.
Bennett and Fabian teetering away.
Eva-Elizabeth up at the Cristo with Sandra.
Diana and Cristina sorting out the string for making bracelets.
Andrew and Victoria searching for the right color of bead.
Wayne and Sandra sharing a special moment in the sun.
Zamora and Tía Maritza join the team in a bead-craft making frenzy.
Johana and Jhoselin taking a photo break with Cristina and Kate during the church retreat.
Paulina at the retreat with Alexa, Desiree and Lauren.
A group of kids and volunteers listening intently to Phil's story.
Fr. David and members of the team join Fr. Juan Cris and the leadership of La Trinidad to lead worship during the retreat.
Kattia, Alandra and Zamora posing after their dance number for our Cultural Fair.
Diego, Eneas, Luis and Pedro rest after an energetic "Tinku".
Agustina looking beautiful in her traditional outfit.
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| Everyday Fun! |
There was a short two-week winter break in July, but the routine of school and activities continues. However, our dedicated staff makes learning interactive and creates space for fun.
That said, sometimes the routine gets turned on its head and it's all about fun! As you can imagine, no one complains. These include trips to Pairumani ecopark, camping with Scouts and enjoying our beautiful city of Cochabamba. |
If one person going down a slide is fun, than this is 4 times the fun!
A surprise movie night.
Learning and push-ups for Sandra.
Cristina practices her braiding on Jhoselin.
Ramiro, Marta and Tomas having some fun out on the patio.
Volunteer Camille and Pedro play pick up sticks in the warm sun.
Fabian puts away his backpack after returning home from school.
Tío Carlos is on homework duty with Marcos, Diego, Timoteo and Luis.
Paty and Luis play mastermind and Eneas tries not to give away the answer.
Camping for Nohemi, Zamora, Zuleika and Victoria with Scouts.
The tour of Palacio Portales ended with looking for the fish in the fountain.
A selfie at Palacio Portales with Tia Claudia, Tia Lucia, Johana, Sandra and Tia Vicki.
It takes a little while to get up to the river at Pairumani, but it's worth it.
Evelyn, Paty, Johana and Jhoselin scaled a higher part of Pairumani, which warranted a picture.
We said goodbye for now to Tia Molly, thank you for volunteering at NCV!
The beautiful smiles at Palacio Portales from Mari, Tía Claudia, Tía Vicki, Sandra, Diego, Tía Ninfa, Claudia and Marta (who is enjoying the pond).
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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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