Keep up to date with what is happening in NCV on our blog. You can also catch up on previous newsletters here. Enjoy!
If you are in the US, you can either send a check made out to "Ninos con Valor" to the address below, or use our Groundspring online donation page.
Niños con Valor
c/o Karen Mitchell
PO Box 223
New Hampton NH 03256
For instructions on donating outside of the US, please visit our donations page.
We know that God loves kids too, so please keep us in your prayers, using these updates as a bit of a guide on what is happening, or by writing us here. We send out weekly prayer requests to those who join our prayermail list. We really appreciate the support!
If you have any questions regarding our work, or would like to make some suggestions, please send us an email.
Greetings from Cochabamba, Bolivia!
Reflecting on this past month, we see the complimentary themes of anticipation and fulfillment. There were surprises, such as taking in a sibling group of 5 on super short notice, and they have officially filled both of our homes to maximum capacity. There was the greatly anticipated first quinceañera at CDP, which was a wonderful time for all. We had a new volunteer start working with us, right when we were feeling the pressure of the added kids and two staff heading on maternity leave. The first Bolivian child sponsor started supporting their child this month, an unexpected answer to our prayers for more child sponsors. The plans for Raeka's medical trip out of the country next month are slowly coming together, and while we're encouraged by the collaboration we're seeing in this endeavor, we're still very short on funds to make this trip a reality. And to top off this very full month, and really the epitome of anticipation and fulfillment - we got some of the best news ever... BUT you'll have to read the CDP section to find out :) !
Join us as we share with you this month's successes and challenges, dreams come true, and visions for the future.
Paz y Bendiciones,
Kimber Setzer
Project Coordinator
Before giving you the updates, we thought it would be a good idea to start off with our sponsorship spotlight. This month we're doing a focus on Raeka because she is in need of some very special medical care, and we're looking for supporters to help us cover these substantial, and unforeseen, costs.
Last month we were told that the doctors here were going to be unable to give her the necessary medical treatment without very specific and detailed diagnostic tests, tests which are not available in Bolivia. Without these tests, they will have to essentially take their best guess at what medications she needs for her condition. We are currently working with several contacts here to try and get as much as the trip and medical costs covered, but we currently have no commitments. If we do not receive any reduced costs, this means we need raise approximately $1400 before she can have these critical tests done in either Argentina or Brazil.
Please click here to make a one-time donation to help cover the costs. No amount is too small (or too large :)!
Raeka currently has one wonderful sponsor, but she's in need of seven more!! Would you consider making a commitment of $30 per month to provide Raeka with all that she needs to continue being the spunky adorable little almost-four year old that she is? Visit our sponsorship page to sign up to give life to this wonderful girl. Thank you in advance for your sacrificial giving!
We began this month adjusting to the addition of the three new girls, all sisters, to the home. We rearranged rooms and seating in the dining room to make room for them, and they've fit in very nicely into the home. Bryssa (6) and Alandra (5) were thankfully able to enroll in classes right away, something that is often difficult to do here so close to the end of the school year. Zamora (3) goes to Pedacito de Cielo along with Nohemi and gets to spend time with her brothers, Bemabe (3) and Alarico (7mo.) who are living over there. As they continue to adjust to their new life, often times needing to be reassured of their safety or the fact that they'll always have enough food to eat, they seem to have incorporated themselves well into the home and generally get along with the rest of the girls.
This month was also full of preparations for Olivia's quinceañera (big 15 birthday party). Hers is the first of many at CDP, and it was definitely a learning experience for all involved. In the end, we all had a great time! It was very sweet to see many of the girls in the home serve as her 'damas' and Tyson step into the dad's role of dancing the traditional first waltz. Olivia was very nervous at the beginning of her party, but definitely came into her own and had a great time with housemates, staff, and friends until the wee hours of the morning. Here are some photos. We have a short video posted here as well.
Left - Mariela was one of the first 15 damas (ladies) to come down the stairs.
Right - Evelyn followed shortly after. Each girl held a rose and lit a candle.
Left - The youngest dama of the night was sweet little Karina.
Right - Finally, Olivia came down the stairs where she met Tío Tyson.
Left - They walked past each girl, Olivia collecting the rose and blowing out the candle.
Right - Our quinceañera.
Left - Sisters Jhoselin and Johana kicking off the dancing.
Right - Olivia was all smiles, all night long.
Left - The twins wanted a photo with their big "sister".
Right - Rosa dancing with a friend from school.
Left - The younger girls had fun watching the older ones dance with boys (oohoooh!)
Right - Olivia with the gorgeous cake Tía Paola picked out.
Ok, we've made you read all the way to the end of this section to find out the exciting news… Angela and Diana will be meeting their new parents on November 5!!!! We were thrilled beyond belief to finally get this news. They've been not-so-patiently waiting for this moment for years, with many disappointing and frustrating delays along the way. But their day is finally arriving, and we couldn't happier for them! They're already planning out the outfits they want to have for when they go to the court for their first meeting. Pray that all will go smoothly and that this family will be the right match for them.
This month continued much like last month as we searched and searched for quality staff for our little ones. Just when we'd think we'd found a complete team, some sort of issue would arise, and it was honestly quite discouraging. Constantly having substitute staff and inconsistent schedules hasn't been good for anyone, but especially the children. However, we're extremely pleased to announce that we think we've found the team! We are currently fully staffed, and each person seems to be dedicated to the well-being of the kids in all aspects. Please join with us in praying for this team of women who are doing very important work- raising our wonderful children!
Left - Alarico has to be one of the most content babies ever! He's already learning the required PDC high-five :)
Right - Alarico modeling a handmade sleeper donated by Orkney Helping Hands.
Left - Victoria showing off her gorgeous smile.
Right - Raeka playing with the car she made.
Left - Guillermo enjoying coloring.
Right - Manolo concentrating very hard on his masterpiece.
While mentioning prayer requests, please keep Faela, one of our day-time staff, and her baby in your prayers as she goes on early maternity leave due to a fall early this week. The doctors have ordered bed rest for the time being, so she will not be back with us until after maternity leave is finished.
Victoria celebrated her 3rd birthday and seemed overwhelmed by it all, but the next day was talking about how much fun she had. It was a great time to be able to see how much she has grown and progressed in her time with us. She is bright and insightful and has a wonderful sense of humor, with one of those laughs that gets everyone around her laughing too.
Left - Victoria is in mid "Si Tia" in response to whether she was enjoying her gelatin or not.
Right - Victoria celebrating her 3rd birthday with her mom, brothers and cousins at the home.
Finally, we had a great visit from Amizade volunteers John and Sara. They were actually here at the end of September, but we didn't have photos to show until now :) This hard-working duo spent a lot of patient hours alternating from painting bookshelves to putting in a garden to helping the tias care for the kids. We are super thankful for their help and hope to see them both back really soon! We are also excited with the new partnership forming between NCV and Amizade. They are a great volunteer sending agency, and so far they have sent us all really solid folks. If you are interested in being a part of a shorter-term experience, check out their website! We aren't listed there yet, but mention us and they can hook you up.
Left - Sara getting a hand from Marcos in the garden.
Right - John looks on as Marcos waters the new plants.
Above - Jean Carla, the Bolivian coordinator for Amizade, got to work too.
For some time now we've been receiving regular donations of medications from Bagó, a local pharmaceutical company. This has been a major blessing to us as medical care plays a large role in the budget at PDC. Some of the medications we don't have need for, and we've now been able to start sharing these donations with the medical posts in the communities surrounding Mizque, where we've been doing our community outreach/investment programs. Knowing how poorly equipped these clinics are, it's great that we've been able to pass along medications that would otherwise go unused.
Salomon celebrated his 12th birthday just a few days ago. Since these families struggle to make ends meet, things like celebrations are often difficult expenses for the families to cover. We've committed to making those celebrations possible, going out to the families with cake and a gift for the child. Salomon is part of our child sponsorship program; if you would like to sponsor him, please visit our sponsorship page
Left - The whole family was around to sing and share in the cake.
Right - Tía Kimber's brownie cake was a hit.
Left - Salomon had no trouble putting out his 12 candles.
Right - He did, however, have to share his GoGo CrazyBones with some excited siblings.
The theme of this newsletter has been about anticipation and fulfillment. The key to fulfilling our vision of providing our children with an atmosphere in which they can thrive, feel God's love, and dream big for their futures, is having a loving and capable staff. Here are some photos from our staff retreat this past month. We are so grateful for these women, for all they do for our kids, and anticipate big things in the future!
Above - The tias of Corazón del Pastor working on an activity to illustrate the accomplishments of the home from their perspectives.
Above - The finished product showed how the place is really a "home" full of: joy, love, hope, health, solidarity, respect, education, humility and faith.
Above - Pedacito de Cielo staff did the same.
Above - Their poster was in pieces (pedacito means "piece"), and showed how the children arrive dark and broken, but with support they learn to move on, grow up, until they are joyful.
Above - Kimber, Tyson, Paola and Jackie represented the foundation as a whole.
Above - It was exciting to reflect over the past 5 years and see how our foundation has been laid through prayers, passion, and an incredible group of supporters from all over the world.
Above - The staff of PDC navigating through Kimber's uber-complicated obstacle course.
Above - CDP staff doing the same. Each staff member had a unique special need, and they needed to collaborate to make it through the finish line.
Left - We thought it was hilarious that none of their feet reached the ground.
Right - We had some extended free-time.
Above - It was great for us all to spend more time getting to know one another without the kids.
Above - We realized that lounge sports are not our forte.
Above - The PDC staff before we hired our new night tias.
Above - The CDP staff.
We hope that you have been both encouraged and inspired by this month's update. Seeing long awaited dreams come true, prayers answered, milestones completed lifts our spirits as we face the challenges that lie ahead as we serve these children and families so greatly in need. Continue to join us in the work that we're doing, we promise it won't be a boring journey!
Peace and Love from the kids, staff and volunteers of Niños con Valor!