Thoughts On A Visit To The Refugio . . .

   When I was there in September, Chely and her siblings had only been there a short time. I first saw her at lunch and it is a strong memory for me. She sat down at her chair and just stared at her meal - it was like she was overwhelmed that food would appear and that it would be good, hot, wholesome and filling. Somehow, I remember Sol saying that when all five siblings arrived at the Refugio Chely was exhausted from caring for her family and was not sure how to be a child. Hopefully she has found her youth now and her heart is now full of laughter, not pain. We take so much for granted and I just feel that so many people do not have a clue as to how invisible, abandoned and just plan hunger is felt by so many of the children that end up at the door of that beautiful white house on the hill.

---Judy McCormick

     
Photos by Sol

   I tracked down the Refugio through the International Friendship Club and the first time I came, which I think was about four years ago, my impression was that the children had just about everything they needed: good care, healthy food, cute clothes and a pleasant place to play. However, when they became more numerous the children seemed needy and gravitated even to unknown adults. I thought the best thing I might do would be to spend time with them, perhaps embroidering, sewing, gardening or developing other skills they would probably get in an ordinary family. But it wasn't practical to accomplish very much in most of these areas. I think my eyes really opened when Alejandro, at one and a half, exploded with joy over what must have been his first exposure to a book. Although shrieking in delight as he turned every new page he seemed mystified by almost all the common objects pictured. He mainly related to a bowl of food with a spoon in it. He encountered another mystery when he put his face in the book and tried to eat the drawing. I realized these children needed not only more life experiences but more access to books. Many of the children like reading and perhaps this helps to address other problems.

   My husband and I were "early" volunteers. We were at the Refugio when it first opened it's doors. About six months later a little boy came to stay with us. His name was Fernando. He was a tiny little boy, maybe four years old, but always quick with a smile. He really bonded with my husband. He would grab my husband's hand and tug him around wanting to show him different things.
   During this time, the "back yard" consisted of lots of weeds and rocks. There were only two trees, a chain link fence and a pile of mud. One day, Fernando grabbed my husband's hand, brought him to the mud pile and pointed to a large rock on the ground. My husband picked it up and turned to show it to him. What he saw surprised him. Fernando was standing there, with a large stick in a typical baseball stance! He wanted my husband to pitch the rock to him! It was then that we realized that no matter where you are in world, no matter the circumstances in which a child might find himself, whether rich or poor, boys will be boys! Fernando returned later that week to live with his mother in Guadalajara.

   The very first time my husband and I arrived at El Refugio was just about six months after it opened. We asked Madre Mari what was needed and she gave us a list ranging from diapers to milk to toilet paper.
.    With list in hand, we went to the local grocery store and bought everything she requested. When we returned to El Refugio we opened the trunk of our very small rental car to unload our purchases. At that time the number of children at Refugio was remarkably smaller than it is today yet each child came out and formed a line to be able to help take the groceries inside. Even the smallest helped, literally dragging the huge plastic package of toilet paper inside. They didn't want to be left out.
   Once inside, a rather frantic woman now my dear friend Sudy Coy, came up and said "Hi, do you have a car?". Thinking it a rather strange introduction, I smiled and replied "yes, we have a very small rental car, why?"
   It turned out that a swimming outing had been planned that day at the Bay View Grand Condos in the marina and they did not have enough drivers so some of the kids were going to have to be left behind. Well…one look at those frowning little faces and I knew what we were doing the rest of the day. My husband graciously gave up his planned romantic lunch on the beach and said, "With seatbelts, we can take about three kids in the car".
   In true Mexican fashion and eight children later, all ten of us were packed in our tiny rental car heading to the marina for an afternoon of swimming and pizza…only to find out half way there that we had a flat tire!An hour later, we made it to the condos and everyone had a great time splashing away in the pool.
   The next day we were back at El Refugio helping out with some other needs. We never did get that romantic lunch on the beach but it was worth the tradeoff!

---Vicky Mason

   I volunteer at El Refugio and have been doing so for five years. With every passing day I feel more a part of the Refugio. I enjoy the children so much and they have become a part of my life - actually the better side of it. The children are sweet, innocent and uplifting to be around. I have seen vast improvements in the buildings, the grounds and the care of the children. The volunteers truly care for this place. Now I feel closer than ever, as I have become the Godmother to a little girl last January. Now I am able to take her out for a ride or just a walk to enjoy the beach and an ice cream cone. She feels important when I go to meet her, and I also feel important and proud to have her attention and love.

   Sol had arranged for a visit to the local zoo. We had 30 volunteers that day so all the children were able to come, everyone from babies to teenagers. From the time we entered until we left, the children did not know where to look first. They were busy every minute, in many cases breathless at seeing animals previously known only from pictures.
   Just when Juan Pablo had given up hope of seeing anything through one of the viewing ports, a big black jaguar unexpectedly slouched past only inches away. What excitement! The crocodiles and the primates were also fascinating, as well as the camels with their roll-back lips and big yellow teeth. In one special area children could touch and pick up rabbits, guinea pigs and even young goats, and for many this appeared to be the highlight of the trip. You could almost touch the love and affection that was there. Alexi was taken by one of the guinea pigs which he held for a very long time. Many of the children were fascinated by two infant jaguars and a baby tiger in another enclosure where they were chewing on the attendant's shoes and wrestling with each other.
   After two hours in the mid-day sun we had some pretty tired little people, a good proportion of whom slept in cars on the way back to the Refugio. The older children, especially Carlos and the transition girls, were so very helpful and contributed a lot to the outing.   This was another one of those great life experiences and memory builders that we work so hard to provide to all our children.

Photo by Martìn Castañeda

---Dianne

   People have many reasons for giving to a charity; some are cultural, others religious or intensely personal. Some give money, others volunteer their time or support to a cause. It matters not what or how you give, just that you do.
   I continually ask myself if that which I think I need is necessary. "Do I really need it? Could the same money be put to better use by someone who needs it more than I?" The answer is usually obvious. Therefore, I give because I can and it is clearly the right thing to do. I give because I care. Most of all, I give because I know that even I can make a difference in someone's life and the children at the Refugio deserve a real chance. The real surprise is, that when I give, I feel good about my decision to do so and I grow just a little more inside.

Photos by Kirsten Lewis

The Transition House Girls Jump with joy as they have just returned to their newly painted house. It was painted both inside and out thanks to Leslie Maracle, (Mexico Fun, Puerto Vallarta) who donated everything including the labor. While the outside is now a bright yellow, the girls selected their favorite colors for their bedrooms and the rest of the interior.