This past week I had chance to share where I was going and why when I was at the drugstore purchasing small tubes of toothpaste, dental floss, hand sanitizers, toothbrushes for the families. The cashier asked if I was planning a trip and I had a chance to share. She was very supportive and wished me well.
Today I did a little shopping to get new clothes for the trip. I rarely shop for clothes but I was trying to find something that had bright colors for the children and the lady liked the colors so I told her that I was taking a trip to South America. She told me about her daughter who did missions work in Colombia and Costa Rica at several orphanages. The lady herself wanted to go but was unable to due to doctor's concerns about her health. We had a nice conversation about Children International as a result and she also said that she would pray for me. The cashiers here at this store are very nice because one of them prayed for me before I had major surgery.
Then at the hairdresser I mentioned that I wanted to know what to do because I was planning a trip in June to a place that was very hot and my hair does not do very well in humidity and heat! So the conversation turned to where I was going in S. America and why. This lady seemed to be a little rude though because she wanted to know why I selected S. America to sponsor children, and if I sponsored in the USA. It was kind of accusatory. I then mentioned that I felt that the poor children in the USA had more support through various programs than in other countries that I sponsored in and I also mentioned that I have sponsored Native American children in the past. She then says that she wanted to know if I sponsored real American children and I was a little puzzled because to my knowledge Native Americans were Americans! It was a strange conversation!!!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thank You!
Today, one of my co workers at school donated some small bottles of sweet smelling lotion which I will be able to give as gifts to the mothers of my sponsored children and maybe two to Sonia's older sisters if they are there. She also gave a small donation to help out with extra things for the children. A big thank you to Mrs. Conahan! I will post photos later when I can find my cell phone!!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thoughts
When I visited the Bahamas many years ago, I was drawn to the beauty of the beaches and tourist attractions. Life there seemed to be simple and as easy as the smiles of people as I rode with them on the bus and ate in the homes of the church members there. But there was another part that I saw in the back of the home that I stayed in. People lived in tiny one room shacks and garbage was everywhere. These were the homes of the little children who were coming to sing with us in the church services.
I know that the poverty that I will see will be overwhelming when I visit the homes of the children. I will probably battle with the desire to want to do everything to change the living conditions and the realization that with my limited means, I can only do so much. This is always a struggle when you are a child sponsor, but I will focus on trying to let them have a fun day with their sponsor, and let them know that I am here for them as their sponsor and friend.
I know that the poverty that I will see will be overwhelming when I visit the homes of the children. I will probably battle with the desire to want to do everything to change the living conditions and the realization that with my limited means, I can only do so much. This is always a struggle when you are a child sponsor, but I will focus on trying to let them have a fun day with their sponsor, and let them know that I am here for them as their sponsor and friend.
Sponsor Visits
I have added a link section to articles, blogs, ect. of sponsors who have visited their children. It is located on the right of the blog. When I was considering my visit, I began to read about the visits that various sponsors had made and this was very motivating and encouraging to me.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Odds and Ends
Once the flip books arrive, all gifts will be finished unless one of Pancho's other sponsors wants to send something to him. Right now, there is a suitcase to be stuffed with plastic bags filled with gifts for individual children. I am hoping that having the plastic see through bags will help when luggage is checked. I will also have a carryon bag and my personal suitcase.
I am learning how to upload photos and videos onto my notebook computer so hopefully I will be able to add to the blog during the trip. Most photos are to be graced by the children with very few photos of me taken. I am very camera shy!
Other items to take with you on a trip Colombia, according to seasoned travellers, are: plenty of sunblock, sunglasses, a hat, hand sanitizer, bottled H2O, and plenty of change for tips. I have to figure out how to do the currency as I have heard that ATM machines are sometimes emptied of funds!
Other tips to remember:
Don't flag down taxis, call for one!
Stay away from alleys when it gets dark.
Keep your money scattered about in various places on your body.
Keep your passport with you at all times.
Don't drink their water or eat salads.
So I have a notebook filled with tips, suggestions, information, ect. Today I also bought a little book called Spanish At a Glance with has lots of good tips and information, along with a dictionary. I have a very limited Spanish vocabulary acquired from high school and some college classes so this little book should come in handy. I really like this little book that has common phrases which might prove useful. Some of them that I am sure to use are:
Cuanto cuesta el billete? What is the fare?
Acepta targetas de credito? Do you take credit cards?
Estoy solo mirando. I'm just looking!
Cuanto es? How much is that?
Vendra el medico al hotel? Will the doctor come to the hotel????
Tengo un dolor de estomago. I have a stomache!!
Se me ha perdido un lente de contacto. I've lost a contact lense!
No quiero nada frito. I don't want anything fried.
He perdido mi llave. I've lost my key.
Bleidis will be so proud of me when I say something to her in Spanish other than Hola. She was trying to teach me some Spanish words in one of her letters :)
I am learning how to upload photos and videos onto my notebook computer so hopefully I will be able to add to the blog during the trip. Most photos are to be graced by the children with very few photos of me taken. I am very camera shy!
Other items to take with you on a trip Colombia, according to seasoned travellers, are: plenty of sunblock, sunglasses, a hat, hand sanitizer, bottled H2O, and plenty of change for tips. I have to figure out how to do the currency as I have heard that ATM machines are sometimes emptied of funds!
Other tips to remember:
Don't flag down taxis, call for one!
Stay away from alleys when it gets dark.
Keep your money scattered about in various places on your body.
Keep your passport with you at all times.
Don't drink their water or eat salads.
So I have a notebook filled with tips, suggestions, information, ect. Today I also bought a little book called Spanish At a Glance with has lots of good tips and information, along with a dictionary. I have a very limited Spanish vocabulary acquired from high school and some college classes so this little book should come in handy. I really like this little book that has common phrases which might prove useful. Some of them that I am sure to use are:
Cuanto cuesta el billete? What is the fare?
Acepta targetas de credito? Do you take credit cards?
Estoy solo mirando. I'm just looking!
Cuanto es? How much is that?
Vendra el medico al hotel? Will the doctor come to the hotel????
Tengo un dolor de estomago. I have a stomache!!
Se me ha perdido un lente de contacto. I've lost a contact lense!
No quiero nada frito. I don't want anything fried.
He perdido mi llave. I've lost my key.
Bleidis will be so proud of me when I say something to her in Spanish other than Hola. She was trying to teach me some Spanish words in one of her letters :)
More Gifts Minus the Photo Flip Books
Gifts for Pancho and cousins-Each of my sponsored children will receive an inflatable globe.
Tops for the girls
Journals, hair accessories, lipgloss for the girls
Gifts for Evelyn, little Samy, and the baby 
Gifts for the Families-flip flops, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deoderants, lotionIn a discussion on LiftOne, a social networking site for CI sponsors, someone mentioned that the families are usually in desperate need of items like flip flops, soaps, deoderants, toothbrushes and toothpaste so some of these will be included.
Gifts to Go
Gifts for Pancho
Gifts for Pancho
Gifts for new baby sister
Gifts for Sonia, Yiseth, and Bleidis
Where's the Bed?
A Full Suitcase Busy Preparing
After getting my passport and reservations made, I have been trying to find gifts for all of the children. I knew that I wanted to get all of the girls necklaces, a watch, and a Barbie dolls. Pancho's gifts were to include an etch a sketch, flying toys, a watch, and other toys. I also planned to get gifts for all siblings and other small gifts for the families in general. Since Pancho is being sponsored by a group, another sponsor, Barbara, sent him lots of goodies including a small Canadian flag and stuffed mascot, a Halloween costume, some art supplies, and a Superman ball. This little guy should be set!!
Today I was able to find some cute tops for all of the kids from Target and some extra things for Pancho. Pancho's little baby sister is also set with some new baby clothes from Barbara. There are lots of stuffed animals and toys for Evelyn, little Samy, the older boys, Maria, and little Melani too. Hoping to pass out small things to Pancho's cousins and any friends who may happen to be in the neighborhood.
Each child will also receive an inflatable globe which they will be able to inflate with a small air pump and a photo flip book with photos of them and me. Pancho's will also have an album from Barbara. Talk about a loaded suitcase! Hopefully I can get everything inside but if not, I can make room in my carry on. This should be interesting!!
Pancho's Family
Pancho lives with twelve people in a very small cramped area. He lives with his mother, sister, Evelyn, younger brother, Samy, and baby sister who as born a couple of months ago. He also lives with other relatives. I am interested in meeting his mother and the neighbor who often writes his letters and I hope to find out the name of his baby sister. The family seems to be a close and happy family despite their poor living conditions. I will post a video of Pancho's mother and little brother in the next post.
Bleidis and her Family
Bleidis lives with her young mother, little sister Maria, and stepfather. Her biological father abandoned the family. I don't know if little Maria is sponsored but I have been so tempted to sponsor her along with Bleidis. Bleidis mentions her sometimes in her letters. Her mother is listed as a homemaker and her stepfather's occupation is not listed on the Family Report.
Sonia's Family
Sonia is a child who has moved from relative to relative. When I first started her sponsorship she lived with a relative. A couple of years later, she lived with her mother and she seemed to be much happier in her photos at that time. Last year, she stayed with her father but now she has moved back in with relatives. Maybe I can find out more when I talk to her aunt who I think is keeping her now. Her aunt was with her when Steve visited the children last year. I am not sure where her mother is right now. Sonia has a younger brother named Jhon Janier who is 8 years old, I was thinking that he is the boy in the photo but the photo report said that this child was Sonia's cousin. Sonia's aunt also mentioned that Sonia had 4 siblings so I believe that the young lady on the left and the young lady on the far right are older sisters. The photo report said that Sonia's aunt and grandmother were in this photo but the older lady in this photo was the lady who was with her when Steve visited her and she said that she was Sonia's aunt. Maybe I can figure it all out when I get there!!! Anyway, I am eager to meet the mysterious Jhon Janier :)
The Families-Yiseth
I feel very close to the families of my sponsored children and hope to see the siblings and parents/guardians on the visit. Yiseth lives with her grandmother right now, since her mother has to work in another city. I think that she has lived with her grandmother for most of her life. Her grandmother seems to be very kind and interested in making sure that her granddaughter is taken care of. I don't know much about Yiseth's younger brother except that his name is Nelson and he is 9 years old. I don't know if he is sponsored but hope to find out. Yiseth has talked about her younger sister in several of her letters and I think that she was very excited to have a baby sister in the family. Her little sister's name is Melani and she is three years old.
The Children
The beautiful Hotel Don Pedro will be in stark contrast to the living conditions of my sponsored children. I plan to spend most of the time visiting their homes and observing their surroundings. These videos show the home of Pancho and I hope spend time here with his family. This experience should truly be eye opening. Pancho's sponsors are hoping to help build an additional room for the family to give them much needed space now that the new baby has arrived. Hopefully I can see where the new room might be built and also provide incentives for Pancho to study hard in school. He is not doing well in this environment with very little support from his mother who has her hands full.
Pancho's mother and sister
Pancho's mother and sister
Hotel Don Pedro
After much research and discussion with a seasoned travelling sponsor, I booked a reservation with the Hotel Don Pedro.
Info. One main requirement is that it has to be within the historic walled city!:
"Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia is situated in the historic center of the city of Cartagena. It has an outdoor pool, and offers air-conditioned rooms (much needed) with marble floors and flat-screen TVs.
Rooms at Hotel Don Pedro boast rustic décor. They include antique wood furnishings and traditional beamed ceilings. Each room comes equipped with satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, (great) and a minibar.
In the morning the hotel serves an American-style breakfast. There is also a roof-top terrace where guests can relax in a lounge chair, and enjoy panoramic views of colonial architecture and the city.
Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia is located less than 2 miles from Cartagena Harbour and La Popa. The staff at the tour desk can provide information on museums and other local attractions."
Although I don't plan to spend to much time there, I wanted a place that has reasonable rates, has a shuttle to the airport, internet accessibility, a multi-lingual staff, good reviews, and is in a safe location. This hotel seems to have all of above and then some.
Info. One main requirement is that it has to be within the historic walled city!:
"Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia is situated in the historic center of the city of Cartagena. It has an outdoor pool, and offers air-conditioned rooms (much needed) with marble floors and flat-screen TVs.
Rooms at Hotel Don Pedro boast rustic décor. They include antique wood furnishings and traditional beamed ceilings. Each room comes equipped with satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, (great) and a minibar.
In the morning the hotel serves an American-style breakfast. There is also a roof-top terrace where guests can relax in a lounge chair, and enjoy panoramic views of colonial architecture and the city.
Hotel Don Pedro De Heredia is located less than 2 miles from Cartagena Harbour and La Popa. The staff at the tour desk can provide information on museums and other local attractions."
Although I don't plan to spend to much time there, I wanted a place that has reasonable rates, has a shuttle to the airport, internet accessibility, a multi-lingual staff, good reviews, and is in a safe location. This hotel seems to have all of above and then some.
Barranquilla Photos
This photo of Barranquilla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Barranquilla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Barranquilla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Barranquilla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Barranquilla is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Cartagena Photos
This photo of Cartagena is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Cartagena is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Cartagena is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Cartagena is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Cartagena is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Cartagena is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Good Resources
This photo of Cartagena is courtesy of TripAdvisor
One of my main resources when looking for hotels was Trip Advisor, which has a lot of info on the hotels as well as reviews.
Trip Advisor
Another good resource that I have been using is Wiki Travel, which also provides background information on the country, transportation information, a list of different type of hotels, things to see and do, restaurants, and travel tips.
Wiki Travel
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