Combination Direct and Halloween Package

Barbara and I joined forces to sent Paola a combination Direct Halloween package. Inside the package was the following:

1 collapsible laundry basket

1 Dark Pink Towel

1 4-hole china tooth brush holder

1 Dora cup and two toothbrushes

1 Mandarin scented soap

1 blond wig for Halloween or dress up

1 pair princess high heeled plastic shoes to go with her princess dress

1 Halloween Count Dracula Bear

1 long sleeved Happy Halloween top with orange sequined pumpkin

1 pair briefs

1 pair white socks with purple trim

1 hankie

1 headband from DR

1 Little Mermaid counting play puzzle

1 Book "Las Tres Erres"

The letter from Paola read as follows:

Dear Barbara and Bernie,

Paola Mendez Atanda is very happy for the things that you sent, the toy heels, the teddy bear, the blouse, the puzzle, the clothes, atcetera.

Paola sends lots of greetings and she thanks you for all the gifts. Paola wants you to know that she is already attending school and she likes a lot all the songs that they teach her. She is already making lots of new friends. The day that she entered school she was very brave because she did not cry when her mother left her there. The Mendez Arandes family sends lots of greetings and they hope you are doing well.

Noemi Enriques (field officer)

Bernie and Barbara.

P.S. My thanks to Barbara for putting this package together. She really has an eye for what the children like and for that I am truly grateful! Bernie

A Package for Paola

Hello Everyone,

Barbara asked me to post this for her

Here is the latest letter from Paola:

Dear Barbara Rogers

Paola..... thanks you a lot for the gifts that you sent, clothes, crayons, books, scholar supplies, personal hygiene items, photos, letter, etc., She is very happy to know that there are people like you, that even though they are so far from her, they love her and look over [after?] her and her family to have a better standard of living.

Paola likes to see your photos a lot and to know different places through your pictures and also your friends and family. Paola and Rosa say hi and they hope God keeps blessing you."

The field officer who wrote the above letter for Paola made an additional comment as follows:- "Paola was very happy for all the gifts and pictures [photos] from the sponsor, she loves to see the pictures and know more about her."

This shows just how much children, including Paola, really enjoy receiving personal photos and postcards from their sponsors. I also think of it being a learning experience for them.

Paola's school packages - a preview

Barbara, Bernie, and Mack have each sent Paola a package to celebrate her entrance (hopefully) into school. We'll have to wait until the photos come back from Mexico to see what Bernie sent, but here's a list from Barbara + a photo of the darling school outfit she bought for Paola:

Besides items pictured, Barbara's package also contains:

Barbara's 'Starting school package for Paola" mailed 20th April.

1 small Canada back pack
1 Olympic mascot (Muk-muk) zip-puller
1 Muk-muk stuffed toy
ABC Trace and Learn exercise book
1 White short sleeved blouse
1 Coral/white tartan pleated skirt
1 pair white socks with pink frill
1 pair striped panties
1 pair reversible pink/purple sparkly shorts
1 white peasant blouse with lime green embroidery
2 Dora pony-tail holders
1 Disney mug/toothbrush/paste set
1 Green exercise book
1 page of ABC stickers
1 box of coloured pencils
Dora pencil case with pull zips
3 pencils
1 small paint brush-erasor-scissors,ruler,chalk and green ball point pen
1 bloc of craft paper and craft scissors
1 plastic coat and one pants coat hangers
1 small doll's dress
1 hoop and ball

plus 3 candies and 6 photos.

Mack created 10 coloring sheets that explain (in Spanish) how to prepare for a day at school w/hygeine tips, etc. She bound these into two coloring books - one for Paola and one for Tomasa:

Mack also mailed some Spanish workbooks for beginning learners, along with crayons and a few school supplies. Also, plenty of fun toys to counteract the boredom of education. The stuffed kangaroo is a reminder of one of the animal species Mack and Paola watched together at the Guadalajara Zoo:

Update on Birth Certificates

Here is the latest that Barbara's contact at CI has heard from the office in Mexico:

"So far, its pending to get the birth certificates of Paola and Tomasa, although our Field Officer has given guide and support to Paola's mom, she hasn't had the time to do what she requires to do personally. The mother has already the birth certificate, but in order to get the birth certificates of her children (Tomasa and Paola) she requires an official ID card. Next Monday, December14th, Paoloa's mom and our Field Officer will get some papers that Paola's mom requires to continue with the process of the birth certificates.

We would also like to request your authorization in order to use the $66.00 USD to build a wall to finish the construction of a well that the family has in their front yard. We haven't realized about this problem because the family had covered it with some pieces of wood. This wall would prevent accidents of anybody may fall down into the well."

The money has been authorized for the wall to be put up around the well, so all is ... wait for it ... well!