Welcome ¡Bienvenidos!

Amiguitos  (EIN # 26-3394832) is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and was formed by people of various faith backgrounds in order to work together and help vulnerable children and families, especially in Southern Mexico. 

Thank you for all your support !!
Click here to read the Thank You letter to 2009 donors

Spotlight Amiguitos Teen - February 2010

                    Omar and Maria Elena

Omar is 17 years old and attends public high school.   He is very active in the Amiguitos Community Center and is President of the Youth Group which includes all the teens in the center.  They have been raising funds through selling flavored ice and recently took all the younger kids from the center on the tourist bus ride through the city.  He hopes to attend culinary school and recently the Youth Group has decided to do a community project to start a bakery.  We are looking for sponsors ($850 USD) to provide the oven and other equipment needed to start the project.  The teens have already raised over $300 USD to provide flour and ingredients for the new student bakery.  Omar lives with his mother Teresa, younger brothers Cesar and Enrique and his younger sister Sugey.   He is an incredibly hard worker and has been active in every construction project at the center, including recently helping to build the retaining wall at the permanent school/center site.  In December Omar was kind enough to stand in for Victor at the 15th birthday celebration.  See more about Omar and his friends at www.AMIGUITOS.net where new photos are posted every week.

Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Here is Saul's  February 7, 2010 update and photos from Veracruz

 

Adriana (Infant), Kevin (K1),
Lluvia (K1), and Victor S (Infant)
join the Amiguitos Laguna School as new students

For a variety of reasons, 13 students were unable to return to the programs after the school break.  They are students in the full day school and students in the CCA part-time homework support program.  They are: Abdiel-K1, Adrian-K1, Alexander-K1, Ana-CCA, Bryan-CCA, Esmeralda-K1, Esther-K3, Jovana-CCA, Marcos-K1, Pedro-K1, Salvador-CCA, Sergio-CCA, and Victor J -CCA

Here is my report for this week.  Monday all the teens did not have classes and so they were helping in the center with the small children.  Thursday was the monthly visit of Dr. Porfirio.  

Of course we have a meal every day and Saturday we had the English class and computer classes. The computer classes in the house of Goldi are twice a month.   The attendance of the week has been normal of 62 children. We have received 3 children for the pre-school program.  Monday we expect that another one will enter.  Friday began the treatment of injections that the doctor ordered.  The majority will finish their injections by Tuesday. 

Maria Elena is beginning her last term of preparatory school!  We have starting thinking about her graduation party. 

Click here to see more photos from our week

Many thanks to everyone for all the support.   Saúl

Reflections on Veracruz, Mexico

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010

Myra Kingsley - Peace and Justice Center, Phoenix Arizona

I traveled to the city of Veracruz, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico in June 2008 on an Amiguitos work trip to work in a free clinic being offered in the communities of La Laguna and the Reserve. Both of these communities are some of the poorest areas in Veracruz. The families who live here are for the most part women head of household and children. Many of the men are gone to find work elsewhere, or are no longer part of the lives of their children for different reasons. Each clinic day we saw over 200 women, some older men and children. For many of the adults and most of the children it was the first time they had ever had their temperature taken or saw a doctor. Most of the children were given medication for parasites from the contaminated water they drink or antibiotics to treat various infections, all were given vitamins, a toothbrush, and a toy for the younger children.

Triage

My role was to triage all who came through, for the adults this included blood pressure, pulse and blood sugar screening if needed, both adults and children had their temperatures taken and were weighed prior to being sent on to see the doctor. I didn’t speak Spanish and they didn’t speak English, but we were in constant conversation and I realized that the language didn’t matter. We were connected by our common humanity; the children were the same as children everywhere, and the mothers like mothers everywhere, watching over their children with love and caring. Girls in groups giggled, the boy’s acted up in front of the girls and they were all a little scared of medical equipment they had never seen before and trying not to show it.

Within the communities of La Laguna and the Reserve the roads are dirt, with deep ruts and potholes, full of muddy water. The homes for the most part are constructed of a hodgepodge of “stuff”, the floors dirt, but flowers everywhere. Giant hibiscus bushes and roses cover old tires being used as a fence, or grew along the side of a corrugated tin wall. Walking along with camera in hand taking pictures of houses and the community, knowing that at the end of the day I would not have to stay there, it becomes imperative to remember that people live everyday in these ramshackle homes, with dirt floors, contaminated water, rudimentary sanitation and beautiful flowers everywhere. I also knew, that the families that I cared for in the clinics lived in these homes. Families, who laugh, cry, sing, dance, love and live. They live to the best of their ability with what has been given to them.

The trip to the barrios of Veracruz was meant to be a chance to hang my stethoscope around my neck, work as a nurse, see more of Mexico and help others along the way. It turned out to be a very personal journey of discovery and a affirmation of life. The Aboriginal activists Lila Watson’s words resonated with me as I wrote this reflection, “If you have come to help me, you are wasting my time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together”. I went to “help” but instead found something I didn’t know I was looking for, a chance to see the richness of God’s world and my place in it. Travel can broaden the mind, but a “journey can alter the heart forever”.

                                Myra Kingsley

Spotlight Amiguitos Child - December 2009

                    Jessinia

Here is Maria Elena Montoya de Arredondo's February 1, 2010  update from  Pénjamo, Mexico

Hello Amiguitos friends -
 
We have good and bad news.  Our first group separated, for several personal reason, nothing to do with Amiguitos, but we are beginnig to work with the orphanage "Dhar-mas" from Pénjamo. The Director is Rubria Patricia Hernandez Campos and she is delighted that we are working with her.   So far,  19 children are now living at the orphanage.  They have been removed from their homes because of  maltreatment, or abuse, neglect, etc.  So for these reasons all the pictures that you will receive from them are going to be without their faces, for security reasons, (parents do not know where they are) names will also be change,but let me tell you our plan and what we have done so far. 

We took 7 cans of baby formula that was donated by Maria Elena Minguela.  She was part of our first group.  Also we have taken donations of some children's clothes that we have from our own children.  We now have a new group.  Lupita Arredondo a physical therapist who is going to help with activities, Ofelia psicologist who is gathering food with her neighboors, Adriana (my sister) who is helping us with projects.  The first project that we have is reading groups, twice a month with activities.  We are going to take books and read together.  Also we gather food and clothes and things that they may need.  We have toothbrushes that we will take this coming Saturday, and if it's possible we will be taking medicine when they need it.  We also have 14 notebooks that we are going to take, some glue and art supplies too.

So far we are  happy because my daughters are heping us too (Carmen & Lluvia).  Ramiro  (my son) likes to go because they have some toys, and there is a boy about his own age.  Lluvia enjoys going too, she keeps setting aside her clothes to give and always thinks about the children at the orphanage.

Thank you all for your support.
Maria Elena Montoya de Arredondo

Teresa (4th Grade) and Brian (1st Grade) join the
Amiguitos Laguna School this week as new students

Hello Everyone I am pleased to inform you of this week’s activities.  Attendance has been normal from Sunday to Friday 62 and Saturday was 63 with the addition of two new students. This week were hair cuts!  Children got haircuts with the aid of Raul’s mother (Guadalupe).  Also, the children who needed have injections ordered by Dr. Porfi in last week’s health clinic finished their treatments Saturday.  We had a meeting with the parents to evaluate the progress of children in the home as well as in our center.  Later we had the classes of English and computers and then we celebrated the birthdays of the month of January: Paola, Juan Carlos, Ana and I by eating wonderful cake.


Teens go to new computer class at Goldi's house (internet!)

Later we took to the group of young people for the inauguration of the new computer room at Goldi’s house (too dusty for the regular laptops in the center, though the special green laptops work well there).  We showed the photos to them of the young people of Denver sent this week by Curtis.  Maria Elena, Omar and Cesar were working using the Internet to do their homework from their schools and also they had to print papers for school.  Later we returned everyone home. Omar and Maria Elena each took a book to read from our library. And today Sunday after the activities we went to buy the other table for the community center.

Click here to see more photos from our week

I send greetings to everyone and thanks to all of you for your kind and ongoing support!   Saul

Here is Saul's  January 17, 2010 update and photos from Veracru

Here is Goldi's  January 10, 2010 update and photos from Veracruz

The fourth Amiguitos work team has completed its work trip in Veracruz for 4 medical clinics in December 2009 and began construction of a strong retaining wall to prepare the permanent site for the Laguna Amiguitos center/school in Veracruz, Mexico.   Click here to read our BLOG of all the brief updates  from the team during the work trip.   Please scroll to the bottom to see the latest updates!  Thank you for all your support.

The third Amiguitos work team has completed its work trip in Veracruz for 8 medical clinics and one medical clinic in Penjamo in June 2009.   Click here to read our BLOG of all the brief updates  from the team during the work trip.   Please scroll to the bottom to see the latest updates!  Thank you for all your support.

Curtis

Click on the video below to see a short  presentation about the work in Veracruz, Mexico.

For those new to our website:  Amiguitos is building a network of partners.  I ask you to visit the websites of our growing circle of friends.  See our "Links to Partners" on the Newletter and Resources  page.   Groups from Pheonix are helping to make the community centers in Veracruz expand with new land, water systems, scholarships and medicine.  Friends in Castle Rock are looking to expand their outreach activities and are looking at Amiguitos for opportunities for more hands-on work.   Congregations in Boulder  and Thornton are supportive also.  People in Glen Rose Texas and Leadville Colorado  have made significant contributions for medicine, transportation and building materials.  The people of South East Mexico are working hand in hand with Amiguitos to make the vulnerable communities of Vericruz stronger.

Amiguitos is a diverse group of individuals from various faith communities working together to assist children and families in struggling neighborhoods of Veracruz, Mexico.   Amiguitos organizes trips to Veracruz to conduct medical missions, construction projects and educational programs (next trip is in December 2009 and planning is starting for our June 2010 trip). Amiguitos provides funding for community centers which are providing infant care (to allow single parents to work), feeding programs for schoolchildren (who have no nutrition), formation of neighborhood schools (opening pre-school Fall 2008 ) and basic medical supplies (see Programs for more details).  These centers under the direction of Goldi Santana Mera are key to enhancing the health, education and welfare of neighborhood children and families. 

Amiguitos moved to a new location for its Community Center in Laguna (starting September 2009)

The first center is in the neighborhood of Laguna (lakes) was established in the front yard of a resident in 2006.   Then another resident loaned a house to the center for two years.  And starting September 2009  the center has moved to a new location where the kids have access to the whole property and building.  In December 2009 we began construction on a permanent center/school in Laguna and hope to move to a very simple center in 2010.

Efforts are underway to continue construction of a permanent community center  on our land purchased in June 2009 which will eventually house a school, kitchen & feeding program, water purification system, and health clinic. A water purification system will be installed as soon as possible.

Our teams  visited Pénjamo Mexico in June 2009 and started another community center there and are excited by the programs started there by our new director, Maria Elena Arredondo.  We hope to continue expanding centers in vulnerable areas.

Amiguitos is based in the United States of America,  promoting hands-on participation in support of the community centers which Goldi, Maria Elena and others are creating. Trips are planned for each June and December (in one week segments).  In addition to becoming good friends (amiguitos), participants find their lives changed as they experience the joy and perseverance of vulnerable children and families living in Mexico.  All are welcome to participate. 

We highly encourage you to bring your children or grandchildren on trips with Amiguitos as it can be a profound experience that shapes their perspective on life and can be a great bonding experience.  Children who have participated in Amiguitos trips have had very positive experiences and have coped well with being in new environments.  I invite you to learn more about Amiguitos. Please read our  Newletter and Resources, look at our Photos, see  How to Help , come to one of our events (see Calendar for more details) or invite us to come talk to your organization.  I especially invite you to come to Mexico on our next trip. 

Thank you for your interest in this important work.

Curtis Wait
Executive Director, Amiguitos