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Hi Everyone,
The "We've Got Spirit" cruisers are going to Acapulco in Nov. and have decided to take donations to an Orphanage there.
Someone posted a terrific site The Family Travel Network
that lists ports with Orphanages in them, and thats how and why we decided to help this one.
It's called Marsh Children’s Home and Provides Shelter for Abandoned and Neglected Children.
A list of needs was posted and we were all going to start collecting the goods to take, and we contacted Roberto (ACA Port Dude) Port Authority and was informed that immigration will not allow cruise passengers to bring items of donation off the ship at this time. Currently items must be purchased at the Wal-Mart, Costco, or supermarkets in Acapulco and taken to the orphanage. Roberto is willing to help cruise passengers go to the store and buy things and then take you to the orphanage or arrange for someone from the orphanage to pick them up at his office right in the port building.
So our group has decided to take our money donations with us to Acapulco, I and a few others will meet with Roberto and go to Wal-Mart and purchase toys for the kids and donate the rest of the money to them so they can purchase whatever they need.
I know many of you in CLF land already help a cause or orphanage, but I'm asking anyone who would like to help make these children's lives a little better to private message me, and I will give you my email with information on how you can get your donation to me. (I will be presenting a list of names of all who donate to the orphanage) unless you request your name not be included.
I will also be taking photos of all the events (shopping, visiting kids, gifts, etc) and posting them when I return.
I have been a volunteer for over 31 years for Girl Scouts because I enjoy helping children, so I guess this is another way for us to "pay it forward" or "pass it on!" I hope you will join us too! God Bless & Hugs!
Also, any groups going to Acapulco, and want to do the same, please feel free to contact Roberto to make arrangements!
Marsh Children’s Home was founded by Jovita and Eduardo Castañon, who were themselves orphans. The Home is named in honor of two American missionaries, Lawrence and Alice Marsh, who ran a nearby local orphanage where Jovita and Eduardo were both raised.
Jovita and Eduardo, husband and wife, serve as Co-Directors of the Home. They have dedicated their lives to providing love and protection to abandoned children.
The mission of the Marsh Children’s Home is to offer a decent home where needy and homeless children can get food, education, medical attention and love.
The Marsh Home is situated in a white stucco compound on the beach in Bonfil, a modest seaside community located behind the Acapulco Airport . The formal name of the facility is the Hogar Infantil Marsh, A.C.
The Marsh Home has 65 children, evenly divided by gender. The children range in age from 6 to 23 years of age. Many of the children are siblings. Some are brought to the Home by neighbors who witnessed abuse or neglect on the part of their natural parents.
The Friends began its relationship with Marsh in 1994, when we helped to restore kitchen facilities destroyed by Hurricane Calvin. Since then, we have provided support every year for a variety of building improvements and equipment.
In the last 3 years, The Friends has provided financial support that included:
* The acquisition of a used pick-up truck used to transport food and supplies.
* The purchase of a new industrial-size stove that helps staff to prepare daily meals with less effort.
* The Friends has also purchased Christmas gifts for the children in each of the last 3 years.
Marsh receives no assistance from the Mexican Government, It relies exclusively on continuing donations from a variety of sources. The Home operates with just one paid employee, who does the cooking. Jovita and Eduardo draw no salary. Wal-mart, Costco and Aurerra each donate surplus food on a regular basis to feed the youngsters.
The facility is managed in part by the children themselves. Each child is assigned chores, which help to build character and also helps to defray the labor expenses.
At Marsh the day begins at 6 a.m., when the children awake. The kids dress themselves, make their beds and clean their rooms before taking breakfast at 7 a.m. At each table in the dining room, one child is designated as captain – and that child is responsible for serving all the children at his table. After breakfast, the youngsters are off to school. Between 3 and 6 pm, a tutor assists the children with homework. Before dinner, each of the children must perform 30 minutes of chores – like setting the dining room table or sweeping the patio. Saturday is playtime and Sunday is church in the morning and sports in the afternoon.
Marsh is now undergoing renovation and expansion – thanks to donations from a variety of outside donors, including Richard Irvine, a wealthy patron who has made Marsh the chief focus of his private philanthropy. Originally constructed to house 30 youngsters, in recent years Marsh has doubled in size. The additional dormitory space now being constructed will enable Marsh to expand from 65 to 80 youngsters. The dining room, kitchen and laundry room have all recently been renovated, thanks to outside donations.
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Originally Posted by canarymoon
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