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.

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 ~

C4K’s 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. 

Gente Por La Educación

“People for Education” is a locally-based Puerto Vallarta charity which seeks to match schools serving impoverished student populations with sponsors to help provide for the many unmet educational needs.  C4K’s early outreach efforts in Puerto Vallarta served as a catalyst for the founding of this organization!  C4K currently sponsors a primary school through GPLE’s program and offers support to the affiliated kinder school and secondary school.   C4K’s sponsored schools are located in the 12 de Octubre colonia, where most of the students live in meager homes without running water or electricity.  C4K has provided school uniforms, backpacks, a full range of school supplies, classroom maps and globes, sporting equipment, and computers, as well as funding for capital improvements such as a computer lab, an awning for the school yard, and a water filtration/ fountain system (which served as the inspiration and model for our C4K Water 4 Healthy Kids Project.  

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.

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.

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.