ISSUES FOR GIRLS
The obstacles facing the girls at Marta and Maria are
numerous. They confront both daily challenges such
as obtaining nutritious food, clean water, and finding
safe, reliable transportation to school, as well as the
larger reality of widespread poverty.At Marta and Maria, the majority of the food --
primarily rice and beans -- is provided through
donations. A few fresh vegetables are provided by
a garden tended by the girls, and they get milk when the
orphanage can afford it. Tortillas are made onsite
for every meal in a small shack behind the dormitory.
The balanced diet, so important to young girls, is made
nearly impossible by the financial constraints under
which Marta and Maria operates.
SEWING AND JEWELRY PROJECTS
We traveled to Jalapa in February to continue focusing on training
a specific group of young women to become teachers for
the sewing and jewelry projects. We will also be
working with them to create and implement successful
business models for selling their own products.
PLAYGROUND PROJECT
We did it! In just two days we were able to complete a playground
for the girls at the orphanage. The new play structure includes
climbing apparatus, slides, parallel bars, monkey bars, teeter-tawters
and swing sets. Thank you to all of our generous donors who made this
possible, and to the HEAR Foundation for their matching grant.
Due to the talented skilled volunteers who came
along on our November 2009 trip, we were able to accomplish a
myriad of projects in addition to building the
playground. In order to ensure a healthy, safe
living environment for the residents, a new septic tank
was installed, as well as the following projects
completed: wheelchair ramp, clotheslines, plumbing
updated, intercom/security system and a garbage
pick-up/recycling/composting program has been
instituted.
Click here to see pictures of our November trip.
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