Fall
2013
“And whoever receives one child such as this in My name receives Me.”
(Matthew 18:5)
An
Angels Of Hope Update
Bakery teaches orphans vocational skills
The breeze outside an El Salvador Angels Of Hope orphanage carries an inviting and sweet smell of baked goods. Inside, the boys and girls are kneading dough, greasing pans and baking bread. They are learning how to become pastry chefs.
Thanks to generous donors like you, a small bakery was built behind the orphanage. This has not only reduced the orphanage’s costs for buying bread — a favorite food among the children — but is also equipping the children with a vocational skill. “The plan is for them to sell the bread to other communities, so they can make money,” said caregiver Cecilia.
On a recent trip to El Salvador, our Food For The Poor team watched 15-year-old Walter bake his first batch of rolls for the day at the orphanage’s bakery.
After leaving his rolls to rise for 8 hours, the slender boy placed the dough in the oven to bake for an hour. Our team watched as he carefully checked the batch several times. Once the rolls had risen and browned to his liking, he used two towels to retrieve the tray.
“It’s hot!” he said, when the tray touched his forearm.
At just 15, Walter is already an experienced baker. He stopped going to school at age 12 to help his family financially by working full time at a bakery. Most mornings he went to work at 3 a.m. His father left long ago, and with his mother in prison for five years for breaking into a home, Walter and his siblings were sent to live in a dangerous, crimeridden neighborhood with their grandmother and uncle. Out of concern, a priest affiliated with the orphanage took the children to their new home. “The priest, and the people here, made me feel loved and welcomed,” Walter said.
Thanks to loving supporters like you, Walter’s life is much different now. For the first time in three years, he is attending school. While he’s only in 7th
grade instead of being a freshman in high school, Walter is earning good grades, and he isn’t giving up. “The opportunity to study is the best part of being in the orphanage,” said Walter, who wants to run a bakery of his own when he grows up.
Once his rolls cooled, Walter posed for a photo in front of the oven. “Who’s the most handsome in the home?” asked Cecilia, drawing a smile out of Walter. “Me!” Walter answered with a grin. ❋
An orphanage desperate for more room
When Maud Laurent answered God’s call to care for Haiti’s orphans, she did so by turning the longtime family compound she shared with her husband into an orphanage. Ten years ago, she opened Notre Dame de Lourdes orphanage on a residential block in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Before the devastating earthquake in 2010, Maud struggled to care for 30 rambunctious kids on the property. But after the earthquake, desperate parents started dropping off their little ones and never came back. Today, she struggles to care for 96 children, between ages 1½ and 20.
The orphanage is overcrowded. In the boys and girls dormitories, some children must sleep two to a single bed. Outside, cracked chalkboards composed of thin metal sheets flap in the wind, and children must cram together into old wooden desks.
Typically, when children reach the age of 18, they leave Angels Of Hope orphanages. But some of the oldest orphans in Notre Dame de Lourdes stay longer so they can continue their education. Two of the 18 to 20-year-olds are studying nursing, while the other eight are in high school.
Thanks to generous donors like you, Maud has begun construction on two 2,100 square-foot dormitories — twice as big as the space the children live in now. Maud’s dream is for every child to have their own bed, and to have dedicated classrooms to teach academics and vocational skills, such as plumbing, sewing and cosmetology.
But Maud’s dream cannot become a reality without your help. Although she is closer to moving the children into the larger dormitories, they cannot settle in without beds and other furniture, including dressers and wardrobes. Your extra gift this month can help provide furniture and other resources that growing orphanages like Maud’s need to properly care for their charges.
Despite their needs, Maud’s children have an abundance of love. The children play, dance and giggle together every day. ❋
Joseph, 14, who was orphaned in 2009, says: “Everything is beautiful here for me.”
Angels of reativity
Every year, children at the Angels Of Hope orphanages participate in an art contest aimed at showcasing their artistic talents. The contest offers prizes to the winners, and also gives the children a chance to express their creativity with confidence.
Each winner receives a goody bag filled with art and school supplies, and clothing.
Let’s hear it for this year’s winners!
Interview with Luz
Q: How was your life before coming to the home?
A: There was not enough food for me, and I didn’t have necessary clothing.
Q: When did you notice your talent for drawing?
A: Since I was 11 years old I knew that I love to draw certain things.
Q: Do you draw a lot? In your free time?
A: Yes. I am passionate about drawing.
Q: What is the thing you most like to draw?
A: Images of God.
Q: What did you think when you heard about the AOH drawing contest?
A: The moment that I first heard about the contest, I thought that it sounded very difficult.
Luz, 12, won the junior division for her inspired interpretation of “The Risen Christ.” Luz lives at Hogar Yo Quiero Ser in Honduras.
children in nine countries who were invited to participate in the contest, Luz was beyond excited when she found out she won. “I tried my best,” said Luz, who wants to become a professional artist. It was at the orphanage where she discovered she liked to draw. “My favorite is to draw images of God,” she said.
Q: How did you decide what you were going to express in your drawing?
A: I just felt happy, and that inspired me to draw what I did.
Q: Did you think you had a chance to win?
A: Yes, I thought I could because I tried my best.
Q: How did you feel when they told you that you had won a contest?
A: I felt super excited when they told me that I had won.
Q: What are your dreams? What would you like to do when you are older?
A: I would like to be an artist and a famous painter with lots of success.
Q: Any words or a message to share with your sponsors and the other people who support the Angels Of Hope program?
A: That God may continue to bless their work.
“Si nce we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them…” (Romans 12:6a)
Jorge, 16, won the senior division for his compelling artistry of “The 10 Commandments.” Jorge lives at Instituto Indigena Santiago in Guatemala.
When Jorge’s name was announced as the winner, all of the boys at his orphanage cheered and clapped. Jorge, who has never had drawing lessons, accepted his award with humility. When talking about the award, Jorge said that this accomplishment was not his alone but that all the children in orphanages in Guatemala should feel they share in it.
Jorge’s message was so beautiful that the staff at his home asked if he would write it down and share it with you:
To see more of the 2013 artwork entries by children in the AOH program please visit:
www.FoodForThePoor.org/ help/angelshope/contest
First of all I would like to give thanks to God, for the opportunity to share with my friends, brothers, sponsors, and persons visiting from Angels Of Hope. The truth is that I did not expect this, this is a great surprise for me and for the Institute, to win first place. But before this, I would like to ask for a big hand of applause from all my friends here today, because we are all winners and successful. It does not matter the different skills that we each have because we all have different gifts and talents, which we must utilize to the max and put in practice. Thank you for everything and for all the support that you have given to us here at Instituto Santiago. Thank you very much.
Jorge’s letter translated into English
Sincerely, Jorge
A note from Robin
I want tell you about Artie, a 10-year-old little girl who your loving generosity is helping to heal.
Artie came to an Angels Of Hope orphanage in Guyana along with her siblings after being abused by her father. Artie told the staff at the orphanage that her father was at his worst when he was doing drugs or drinking alcohol. He would frequently beat their mother and lock the children out of the house.
Although all the children were abused, the staff said that Artie appeared the most affected. When she first came to the orphanage, she stared blankly into space, looked downward and said little when adults were around.
Now, Artie and her siblings are attending school for the first time. And thanks to the loving care they are receiving, they are slowly opening up.
Although the road to recovery for Artie and children like her may not be easy, your loyal compassion has made their healing possible in a safe and loving Christian environment.
“To You the helpless can entrust their cause; You are the defender of orphans.” (Psalm 10:14b)
You are transforming the lives of precious little ones like Artie by showing them they are cared for and not forgotten. On behalf of all the children and dedicated staff at all the orphanages, thank you for giving love and protection through your gifts. May God continue to bless you.
A servant of the poor,
Robin G. Mahfood