INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

Compassion 4 Kids supports our international mission partners with ongoing financial contributions; by providing needed in-kind item donations; and with hands-on volunteer projects and assistance through our C4K Humanitarian Mission Trips program.

Guatemala

Hombres y Mujeres en Accion (Men and Women in Action)

Compassion 4 Kids works with the local organization Men and Women in Action to further their mission of promoting human advancement by engaging the poor in rural Guatemala through health and community development to effect long term change for families and their communities.   Our current projects include:

2010 La Merced Water Project:  Compassion 4 Kids has committed to fund a clean water system for the San Antonio La Merced village school in the highlands of Guatemala located about 8 km from the town of San Martin.  The school serves 160 students, ages 7 to 13 years old, in 6 grades.  Most of the families are Mayan and earn $7 per day working in agriculture. There is currently no running water at the school and the outhouse type bathrooms are deplorable.  The project includes construction of a septic tank and drain field, concrete wall protection for the water source spring, electricity lines to run the pump, 7 bathrooms/toilets, and water lines to the school for washing and drinking.  The community members funded the cost of the architect study and plans for the project. The town of San Martin, through the mayor, will supply some of the labor including masonry, excavators, and electricity installation while the members of the local community will volunteer their manual labor to dig the trenches, haul the concrete, sand, & blocks, etc.  The community, including students themselves, made a formal presentation to Hombres y Mujeres en Accion to receive the balance of the needed funding (US$ 8,000)  for the project which will be provided by Compassion 4 Kids.  

*** Contributions to C4K, designated for this project, are currently being accepted and are greatly appreciated! ***   

Emergency Relief~ Tropical Storm Agatha: In late May 2010, Guatemala bore the brunt of Tropical Storm Agatha which destroyed bridges, roads, homes, and many lives throughout the entire country. Guatemala's mountainous terrain was pummeled by landslides and even Guatemala City suffered the effects of massive drainage backups and an enormous sinkhole.  In the rural region of San Martin, alone, 19 bridges were destroyed and 11 water systems were destroyed or severely damaged, including 2 water systems in the specific communities where Hombres y Mujeres en Accion works, leaving over 200 of these families with no access to water.  Additionally, 39 houses completely disappeared (under the mud slides), 65 additional houses were badly damaged, and the junior high school was damaged. 

With hundreds of families stranded in makeshift shelters, Hombres y Mujeres in Accion mobilized immediately to help provide for the most basic needs including food and water.   Compassion 4 Kids immediately contributed US$1,000 towards these efforts.

India:  Adipur (Kutch), Gujarat

Karuna Trust: Bahujan Hitay Girls Hostel

Since 1980 the Karuna Trust has worked with some of India's most disadvantaged people. Most come from the communities which, under the caste system, used to be called 'untouchables'. These people are now usually referred to as Dalits, or oppressed people. Traditionally they were considered so inherently inferior that the merest contact with them would pollute those of higher caste. Forced to live apart from other communities, Dalits were allowed to do only the filthiest and most menial jobs and for thousands of years were denied access to culture and education.  Today, more than 150 million of India's people come from these extremely poor communities and the vast majority still lack proper housing, medical care, education and employment prospects.

Bahujan Hitay Girls' Hostel is home to 45 girls from impoverished Dalit families affected by the earthquake that took place in Gujarat in 2001, killing over 20,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.  The original makeshift tin sheds, constructed in 2001, were replaced by a permanent building which opened in January of 2005.  Through the generous support of our donors, Compassion 4 Kids is proud to fully support the operating budget of the hostel which provides for staff salaries, utilities, food, water, education, and the basic medical needs of the girls. 

Mexico:  Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

PRIMARY PROJECTS ~

C4Ks Water 4 Healthy Kids Project

Compassion 4 Kids water fountain filtration systems will provide clean, safe drinking water for over 3,300 students at eight primary schools in the poorest of Puerto Vallarta's colonias.  Local government officials estimate that upwards of 80% of these students have no access to running water in their homes and, although the schools do have a water line, the water is contaminated and not suitable for drinking.  In conjunction with the fountain project, C4K is implementing a mandatory dental hygiene program at each of the schools receiving a fountain.  Many of these children have never had a toothbrush.  Additionally, students' families will be permitted to fill jugs to bring drinking water to their homes. Outcomes of this project are expected to include a reduction in water borne illnesses, increased school attendance, and an improvement in overall health of the area population

Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz, A.C.

Casa Hogar is home to approximately 65 orphaned, abandoned, neglected, and abused children, as well as children whose parents are so poor that they simply cannot care for them.  C4K supports the orphanage / shelter with regular deliveries of fresh produce and other healthy foods, as well as much-needed basic hygiene supplies.  C4K Humanitarian Mission volunteers have provided eye exams and eyeglasses, medical screenings and first-aid supplies, as well as school supplies and recreational equipment. 

New Life Mexico Street Boys Shelter

The Street Boys Shelter literally provides a new life for boys found living in the streets of Puerto Vallarta and surrounding communities, many of whom are trapped in child prostitution rings and addicted to drugs.  New Life is truly working miracles and providing real hope for the future for these boys and young men.  C4K has provided school supplies, books, clothing, hygiene items, utensils and small appliances for the kitchen, food, sporting equipment, new shoes for each boy, etc.

Pasitos de Luz 

Pasitos de Luz or Little Steps of Light is a daycare and rehab center for impoverished children with a variety of disabilities.  Many of the children live in homes which lack running water and electricity.  PDL serves over 70 children in a very small facility, which is truly a home away from home for these very special children.   The mission of Pasitos de Luz is to provide support for the children's families so they can work, while knowing their special-needs child is receiving nutritional meals, therapy treatments, and special education during days filled with love and laughter.  All services for the children are provided at no cost to the families.  The facility receives extremely minimal assistance from the local government and relies almost exclusively on the generosity of donors.

Compassion 4 Kids provides a large variety of medical and therapy equipment and supplies, including custom-made braces and wheelchairs, items which have literally been life-changing for many of these children. C4K has funded salaries for caregivers and professional therapists, one of the greatest ongoing needs of the center.  Additionally, C4K's Urgent Medical Needs Fund has provided critical funding for medications, diagnostic medical testing, and even life-saving surgeries for children of Pasitos de Luz.

Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, A.C.

Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (Children's Shelter of Hope) is a shelter for babies and children under the age of 14.  Some of these children are orphans but most come from unbearable situations having been abused, neglected, or simply abandoned.  The shelter is run by live-in nuns with the Order of Carmelites of Jesus of Nazareth and is also supported by an active Board of Directors and volunteer program.

Compassion 4 Kids supports the children of RISE with numerous in-kind donations which have included a computer lab (computers, software, furniture); a television & VCR/DVD player; sporting equipment; baby items (e.g. safety gates, changing tables, etc.); plus countless school supplies, hygiene & first-aid supplies, shoes, and clothing.  C4K has also provided financial contributions for special projects such as a new roof and purchase of a commercial stove & a clothes washer; as well as funding services such as annual medical exams for the children and a teacher for onsite English and computer classes.

ADDITIONAL PUERTO VALLARTA PROJECTS ~

Note: The following projects are supported through C4K's Humanitarian Mission Trips Program, though not every project is visited on each C4K trip.

Arturo y los Hijos de Dios, A.C.

C4K has supported a small Arturo family shelter located a small town one hour from Puerto Vallarta.   Several of the women and children have suffered from domestic physical abuse and have been relocated here for their protection.  Several of the mothers suffer from major physical handicaps which prevents them from working.  A sense of community among the residents is fostered, as they take on different roles to work together to improve their lives. The goal of the shelter is to provide safe haven and basic necessities so that the children can attend school and eventually obtain good jobs to break their family's current cycle of poverty.  To date, C4K has provided basic hygiene items, toys for the children, new shoes and clothing, school supplies, a sewing machine, and funds towards basic operating expenses.

Centro de Capacitacion y Convivencia de Silentes, A.C.

C4K has supported this two-room school for deaf students with donations including basic school supplies, encyclopedias, small playground equipment, and hearing aids.

Projecto Pitillal Busca Un Amigo

This rehab/ daycare facility for needy disabled children regularly serves approximately 15-20 children/young adults, ages 2-25.  C4K has provided therapy equipment and supplies to PPBA, and C4K humanitarian mission volunteers provide hands-on therapy training and general medical assistance.

Remote Villages~

Quimixto Kinder & Primary Schools - The village of Quimixto, though not on an island, is accessible only by boat.  The village kinder school was destroyed by Hurricane Kenna in October 2002.  C4K donated funds towards the completion of the new, one-room brick schoolhouse and C4K volunteers built furniture for a new school.  In subsequent years, C4K volunteers have painted the newly completed school and have provided a concrete recreation area. In addition, C4K has donated numerous school supplies, basic hygiene items, sporting equipment, clothing, sandals, and toys to the village children.

Pisota Primary School - Pisota, even smaller and more remote than Quimixto, is located approximately 40 minutes further south along the coast, via panga fishing boat.  C4K volunteers have delivered school supplies, children's sandals, toys, & hygiene kits and have administered fluoride treatments to the village children.  

Portrero de la Palmita ~ Native Huichol Village -  Many of the children attending the schools in this native Huichol Indian community walk a minimum of five hours from surrounding mountain villages and stay in dorms during the week.  Teachers as well as the students are extremely appreciative of even the most basic school supply donations such as pencils and paper.  From Puerto Vallarta, C4K volunteers travel 4 hours inland by bus, 30 minutes by boat across a lake, followed by a 20-minute hike, to reach this remote village.  Volunteers distribute school supplies, hygiene kits, and sporting equipment and engage the children in various arts & crafts and games.  C4K volunteers enjoy supporting the local economy by purchasing the exquisite hand-beaded crafts and jewelry, for which the Huichol are renowned worldwide.  A visit from C4K makes for a memorable and rewarding cultural experience for the Huicholes and C4K-ers alike.