A few days ago I made a trip to Santa Tecla to
volunteer at an orphanage called Love & Hope for a couple of days. There was something in my heart telling me that
there was other orphanages I needed to seek out to volunteer at, provide some financial
support and to chat about future projects.
I did a Google search and Love & Hope came up. I contacted them prior to visiting, made
arrangements for my visit and they welcomed me into their home with open
arms.
Love & Hope is an orphanage that was
started 10 years ago by a lovely woman named Rachel Sanson who left everything
at home in Ohio to devote her life to children in need. She started the home after a couple of
mission trip visits to El Salvador as an English teacher and caregiver and felt
a call to start a home where children could grow in a healthy family atmosphere
where love and care would be provided and not just food and a roof over their
head. She now has 18 children that she
looks after with the help of caregivers, long-term and short-term volunteers.
I had the opportunity to spend this past
Thursday and Friday there helping the kids with their homework, playing
activities with the kids, joined them for a family meal and chatted with Mandy (Director
of Administration) and Rachel to learn about how the orphanage is run, what
type of support they need and what they do in order to keep it running
successfully.
Like Remar Orphanage the government does not
provide any government funding, so Love & Hope is kept running with
donations from volunteers, sponsors, friends, family, etc. All financial donations they receive go
towards food, medical, education and shelter for the children. None of the money is taken for administration
fees.
Just before I left Love & Hope I made a
$500USD donation on behalf of 100 Smiles Project with the money that was
donated towards the project for this month.
When I presented Rachel with the money, she said that it came at a
perfect time because this month was the lowest that they’ve ever been with for
donations so the $500USD we had provided helps them out a lot.
Thank you to friends and family at home who
have donated. I would not be able to do
this without your support.
Hasta Luego!
Elly
xoxoxo
No comments:
Post a Comment