Goldi Santana Mera -
Director of Veracruz
Amiguitos Centers
(Laguna & Tarimoya)
Saúl Suárez
Salazar-
Amiguitos Veracruz
Maria Elena Montoya
de Arredondo -
Director of Pénjamo
Amiguitos Centers
December 2011 Work Trip
Click here for December
2011
Work Trip BLOG
December 2010 Work Trip
Click here for December
2010
Work Trip BLOG (with artist, activist and author, Ellen O'Grady)
Jeannie Balch-
Creator
& Director of "Shared Voices of Amiguitos"
Click here
for more on this unique performance
Where are we? Veracruz, Mexico!
June 2009 land is purchased for a permanent center in Laguna
(vulnerable neighborhood in Veracruz, Mexico)
December 2009 construction begins on the permanent center in the Laguna neighborhood of Veracruz, Mexico
Goldi - Amiguitos Veracruz
Dr. Porfi - Amiguitos Veracruz
A photo
of Laguna children washing
hands was sold to support programs among many other amazing photos and
blind auction items (including a water-system to provide clean drinking
water)
Amiguitos (EIN # 26-3394832) is a
tax-exempt public
charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. 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. And, because when you donate you are
helping
Amiguitos
reduce hunger and poverty, your gifts are tax deductible. Checks
to "Amiguitos" can be sent to: Amiguitos;
228 S Jefferson Ave; Louisville CO 80027 USA or credit card
donations can be made by pressing the big yellow "donate" button on the
left of this screen.
The students in Veracruz
are returning back to school. It is time to renew your
sponsdorships to keep the kids in our daily meal and
daily homework support programs. If you are not currently helping
our students, please consider becoming a sponsor today. All of
your support is used to help students
succeed in their schools.
$160 sponsors a student for JAN,
FEB, MAR & APR 2012
Checks may be written to
"Amiguitos" and sent to:
Or credit card donations may be processed immediately by pressing the
big yellow
"Donate" button on the left of this screen.
Please renew your sponsorship of your student or become a new
sponsor for the daily food and daily homework support program:
* Full Sponsorships ($40 per month supports 1 student;
or paid $160 each January,
May & September
following the school terms)
* Co- Sponsorships ($20 per month helps support 1 student;
or paid $80 each January,
May & September
following the school terms)
* Partial Sponsorships ($10 per month helps support 1 student;
or paid $40 each January,
May & September
following the school terms)
Many sponsors now have their support automatically charged to thier
credit card and find this easier than having to renew each school
term. To enroll in automatic payments, completed the
Amiguitos Monthly "Credit Card Charge Authorization" for (click the
link below), print it, sign it and mail it to 228 S Jefferson Ave,
Louisville CO 80027..
Click here to open Credit
Card
Charge Authorization
Thank you to all
our sponsors!!
You are making a huge difference in the lives of these children and
their families. The kids are staying in school much longer,
learning more and aspiring to careers in medicine, culinary arts,
teaching, architecture and more. The children are much healthier
and show leadership by teaching other students in nearby communities on
a weekly basis, running the student bakery and student restaurant (Good
Friends Burgers). Your prayers are always appreciated and needed.
Curtis
Curtis Wait
Executive Director, Amiguitos
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's January 21, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Dear Friends -
During this week the attendance was normal and our friend Glenda stayed
and helped on Monday with our programs. OnTuesday through Thursday and
had normal activities. On Friday and Saturday we had to go to the
synod of the Diocese of SouthEast Mexico which was held in Tuxtepec.
This year we were represented by Nancy, Victor Hugo (the small
child), Ana, Saul and Rumuala (Gloria, Lara, Cintia & Anet Noele's
mother).
At tht Synod was John Mather (from Pheonix AZ) and we talked about the plan to continue construction on the permanent center in Laguna. He asked Saul to help us find information about the Rotary club in Veracruz to help receive funds from the Rotary club in Phoenix who want to help with the construction costs. John also gave me a copy of the updated plans for me to show Polo (our architect in Veracruz) since John said he can not come to Veracruz since he had to leave immediately for Oaxaca and then Chiapas after the synod was over.
Like every week we had computer classes, English and other
activities, daily meals and of course soccer.
The attendance was 85 children all week.
Click
here for
more photos
Goldi
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's November 19, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's November 12, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's November 5, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Ramon
& the boys weave palms and a special altar with food was buil
Pénjamo Center -Pénjamo,
Mexico Update:
Maria Elena's October 29, 2011
update from Pénjamo, Mexico
Dear
friends - We were sad that the federal government of Mexico recently
closed the orphanage which was serving severely sexually abused
children in Pénjamo, Mexico. Our Amiguitos Pénjamo
group was serving these very needy children. The children
have all been transferred to other facilities across
Mexico. As a result, Amigutos Pénjamo has selected a group
of children who attend an elementary school in a vulnerable part of
Pénjamo, Mexico to continue the work of community development
through the education of children. Please keep Amiguitos
Pénjamo in your thoughts and prayers as we implement this new
program direction. And please join me in thanking Maria Elena
Arredondo-Montoya for her ongoing hard work in helping vulnerable
children in central Mexico.
Curtis
Wait - Executive Director, Amiguitos
From Maria Elena Arredondo-Montoya
- Director, Amiguitos Pénjamo:
Hello Amiguitos friends - These are a couple of pictures
of the work that we have done in Penjamo.
6 young people from our local University had joined as volunteers to
staff our Amiguitos Pénjamo program. They are Marisela, Osiris,
Rubicelia, Nancy, Oscar and Bryan. We are working in a program that we
named big brother, big sister and our goal is to create a positive
attachement between these elementary school children in a difficult
area near Pénjamo and these young adults from the University.
We are going to be working in the elementary school Eriberto
Jara Corona, reading books, and other activities. These pictures
show a little bit about the creativity of the children as they make
alfeñiques which is a traditional candy that people buy for the
day of the dead.
The last month, I asked for help at a local association of young
people that work to help others. I took them to the elementary school
on October 11 and they collected food and funds on October 16.
We are buying school uniforms for the kids with the funds collected,
and the food has been deliver to the school. The local store of
papeleria Juarez run by Ms. Piedad Montoya has donated 300 notebooks
for our kids, the same notebooks have been delivered to the school.
Also I spoke with the local high school students and they donated some
school supplies like pencils, notebooks, sharpeners. They organized a
soccer game and instead of money ask for a school supply. A
little was raised every little bit helps. We are so grateful for
the community helping, especially the University and High School
students.
Some students from the High School also want to volunteer as staff in Amiguitos and help these kids in the elementary school, so I will keep you informed.
Is great to be back on track
Click
here for
more photos
Maria Elena Arredondo-Montoya
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's October 29, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's October 22, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's October 15, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Please help us welcome 12 new students to
our Laguna Center over the past few months:
Top Row: Bladimir, Bryan, Hania
2nd Row: Irving, Isidro, Jaime
3rd Row: Jose, Jovani, Miguel Santana
Last Row: Rosa, Sarai, Sheila
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's October 8, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Antonio joins
the 10-12yr old team and scores a goal in first game!!
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's October 1, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
¡¡¡Fútbol,
Fútbol, Fútbol !!!
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update
Goldi's September 24, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
We
have added a 10 to 12 year old boys team to our soccer program
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's September 10, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's September 3, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's August 27, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's August 20, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna
Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's August 13, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
Laguna
Center -Veracruz, Mexico Update:
Goldi's August 6, 2011
update from Veracruz, Mexico
New Faces in Veracruz, Mexico!
This summer
we saw a lot of new faces in our programs. Please help us welcome
37 new students to Amiguitos Laguna
& Amiguitos Tarimoya!
Top Row: America
2nd Row: Adrian, Brigit, Bryan, Diana Laura (1)
3rd Row: Diana Laura (2), Efraim, Erick (1), Erick (2)
4th Row: Felix, Fernanda (1), Fernanda (2), Francisco, Galilea
5th Row: Guillermo, Jaqueline, Jean Carlos, Jessica, Jesus X
6th Row: Jonathan, Jorge, Karla G, Jose Luis, Julio (2)
7th Row: Karla P, Lenney, Luisa, Maria Fernanda, Mariana C
8th Row: Roosvelt, Rosa, Tomas, Vanessa
Last Row: Victor Chavez, Yaquelin, Yobani, Yuridia
* * *
The eighth Amiguitos work team worked in Veracruz December 22, 2011 to January 9, 2012 for 2 medical clinics in Tarimoya and Laguna neighborhoods of the city where Amiguitos has centers in week 1. Some light construction and participation in the center's programs follow the second week. See the link below for the brief updates and photos from the team during the work trip in Veracruz, Mexico. Click here to see the full December 2011 Blog
The seventh Amiguitos work team was in Veracruz June 2011 for construction on the Laguna center and 8 medical clinics. Click below for the brief updates from the team during the work trip in Veracruz, Mexico. Click here to see the full June 2011 Blog
The fifth Amiguitos work team was in Veracruz June 5 - June 28, 2010 for
construction on the
Laguna center and 8 medical clinics. Click below for
the brief
updates from the
team during the
work trip in Veracruz, Mexico. Click
here to see the full June 2010 Blog
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.
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.
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 a diverse group of
individuals from various faith communities working together to assist
children and families in struggling neighborhoods of Veracruz,
Mexico. Click here to learn
more about our staff. Amiguitos
organizes
trips
from the USA to Veracruz to conduct medical missions, construction
projects and
educational programs (every June and December). 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 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
its 4th "new location" for its
Community Center in Laguna (starting September 2010)
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 (shack really) to the center for
two years. September 2009 to September 2010 the
Laguna center moved to a
location where the kids had access to a
building with electricity, cement walls and floors. We
started in our 4th temporary Laguna center September 2010 (with
tile floors, more room, running water, electricity). In December
2009 we began
construction on a permanent
center/school in Laguna and hope to move to a very simple center on the
permanent site in
2011.
Efforts are underway to continue construction of at our
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. In December 2009 we began construction on the permanent
Laguna center/school. Clearing Mexican land title hurdles
continues to delay building permits for more than just foundations.
The teens from the Laguna center have started another Amiguitos
center in Tarimoya (an even more impoverished neighborhood in
Veracruz). Goldi, Saul and the teens conduct weekly programs in
Tarimoya similar to the programs in Laguna (food, homework support,
computers & English classes).
Our teams visited Pénjamo Mexico in June 2009 and
started another
community center there and are
excited by the programs started there by our director of Amiguitos
Pénjamo, 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 Newsletter 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.
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 Newsletter and Resources page. Groups from Phoenix are helping to make the community centers in Veracruz expand with new land, water systems, scholarships and medicine. Organizations in the Chicago area have provided tables, chairs and paid for patios and roofing. 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, sponsoring children and sending individuals to the work trips in Mexico. 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 Veracruz stronger. Congregations in the Denver, Colorado metro area have become very active sending teaching and craft supplies, sponsoring children and sending individuals to the medical clinic work trips. Individuals from North Carolina, California, Oregon, Maryland, Kansas and other states have sponsored children and participated on work trips.
Thank you for your interest in this important work. Please
contact me if you would like to learn more or sponsor a child.
Email: info@amiguitos.net or write to: Amiguitos, 228 S Jefferson Ave,
Louisville CO 80027 USA. Your support makes a huge difference.
Sincerely,
Curtis
Curtis Wait
Executive Director, Amiguitos
