December 28, 2011
Greetings from Cartagena,
I'm writing of my day with Evelyn (my sponsored child), Francisco (sponsored by a group), their younger
brother Sammy and their mother the day after the visit, because the hotel's business center closed
prematurely. How could they? Don't they know I have a blog to enter?
Johnny and Mauricio picked me up early yesterday. Johnny was the first person I met during my initial
visit way back in 2008. A veteran of 20+ years at CI, his knowledge of the streets and alleys of Cartagena
should be legendary. Like many of the places I travel to, Cartagena often lacks recognizable street signs,
yet we get there every time. The man must have the entire city mapped out in his head. Unfortunately,
he was informed early on that his child was ill and needed his presence at the urgent care center (the
child is doing better now).
Mauricio was my first translator too. He's practically a rookie at only 6 years with CI. He's been there for
me on all three visits and hopefully for many more.
Alfonso, the replacement driver and former sponsored child (he's one of several in the Cartagena office
alone) drove us to meet Evelyn and her Mom at CI's community center. Evelyn has grown considerably
during the last three years. She is now several inches taller and no longer the lanky flaca (skinny) child I
meet three years ago. Her smile is still fabulous. Too bad she seems to have too little to smile about
these days.
Why? Well, as I greeted her Mom, she stood up to reveal a very pregnant belly. Nine months along, in
fact. Very, very disappointing. Mauricio and I made it a point during our last visit that her growing
family far exceeded her family's income, and she promised it was her last and that she knew she needed
to stop. So much for promises.
To give you an idea of her reckless nature, we learned from a moment alone with Evelyn that the first
four siblings all have different fathers. Ironically enough, the only one providing any financial assistance
is in jail of all places! Words fail me.
There is a silver lining worth mentioning. Due to the generous contributions from many of you, we were
able to complete the home-building fundraiser recently. As you have probably seen from video taken by
Shana and me, the old walls and ceiling are nothing more than scrap metal, cardboard, and other hastily
laid material. How the place hasn't collapsed is a mystery of physics and engineering.
Surprisingly, there are brick walls funded by the grandmother's meager savings, which had run out,
leaving the construction incomplete. But it's a start. A mason is being contracted to assess what needs
to be done and how long it will take. I hope to receive a report soon.
Much of the rest of the visit is a carbon copy of countless other visits, though I never tire of the routine,
because I get to see first hand the child's smiling face and the mother's relief and a momentary reprieve
from the ravages of poverty. Shopping for clothes, agonizing toy selections, grocery shopping and the
obligatory fried chicken meal at the mall were on the menu.
The real joy is seeing them enjoy the fun activity. In this case, a trip to a neighborhood pool. The
children didn't even have bathing suits, which had to be bought in advance. They had a blast. Mom got
90 minutes of free baby-sitting, as Mauricio and I scampered about keeping kids in line. It was like
herding cats. How can a single mom with four (soon to be five) children and no prospects or ambition
manage?
We said our goodbyes surrounded by their new possessions. I captured some video of Shana's and
Barbara's gifts being opened in addition to clips of their home's current state. It is a sight to behold.
Evelyn has a tough row to hoe. And our final advice to Mom: Please please please stop having children
she can't afford! Will she heed our pleas? Time will tell.
Visit No. 2: A day with Karelys, also from Cartagena. Will blog about this shortly.
Greetings from Cartagena,
I'm writing of my day with Evelyn (my sponsored child), Francisco (sponsored by a group), their younger
brother Sammy and their mother the day after the visit, because the hotel's business center closed
prematurely. How could they? Don't they know I have a blog to enter?
Johnny and Mauricio picked me up early yesterday. Johnny was the first person I met during my initial
visit way back in 2008. A veteran of 20+ years at CI, his knowledge of the streets and alleys of Cartagena
should be legendary. Like many of the places I travel to, Cartagena often lacks recognizable street signs,
yet we get there every time. The man must have the entire city mapped out in his head. Unfortunately,
he was informed early on that his child was ill and needed his presence at the urgent care center (the
child is doing better now).
Mauricio was my first translator too. He's practically a rookie at only 6 years with CI. He's been there for
me on all three visits and hopefully for many more.
Alfonso, the replacement driver and former sponsored child (he's one of several in the Cartagena office
alone) drove us to meet Evelyn and her Mom at CI's community center. Evelyn has grown considerably
during the last three years. She is now several inches taller and no longer the lanky flaca (skinny) child I
meet three years ago. Her smile is still fabulous. Too bad she seems to have too little to smile about
these days.
Why? Well, as I greeted her Mom, she stood up to reveal a very pregnant belly. Nine months along, in
fact. Very, very disappointing. Mauricio and I made it a point during our last visit that her growing
family far exceeded her family's income, and she promised it was her last and that she knew she needed
to stop. So much for promises.
To give you an idea of her reckless nature, we learned from a moment alone with Evelyn that the first
four siblings all have different fathers. Ironically enough, the only one providing any financial assistance
is in jail of all places! Words fail me.
There is a silver lining worth mentioning. Due to the generous contributions from many of you, we were
able to complete the home-building fundraiser recently. As you have probably seen from video taken by
Shana and me, the old walls and ceiling are nothing more than scrap metal, cardboard, and other hastily
laid material. How the place hasn't collapsed is a mystery of physics and engineering.
Surprisingly, there are brick walls funded by the grandmother's meager savings, which had run out,
leaving the construction incomplete. But it's a start. A mason is being contracted to assess what needs
to be done and how long it will take. I hope to receive a report soon.
Much of the rest of the visit is a carbon copy of countless other visits, though I never tire of the routine,
because I get to see first hand the child's smiling face and the mother's relief and a momentary reprieve
from the ravages of poverty. Shopping for clothes, agonizing toy selections, grocery shopping and the
obligatory fried chicken meal at the mall were on the menu.
The real joy is seeing them enjoy the fun activity. In this case, a trip to a neighborhood pool. The
children didn't even have bathing suits, which had to be bought in advance. They had a blast. Mom got
90 minutes of free baby-sitting, as Mauricio and I scampered about keeping kids in line. It was like
herding cats. How can a single mom with four (soon to be five) children and no prospects or ambition
manage?
We said our goodbyes surrounded by their new possessions. I captured some video of Shana's and
Barbara's gifts being opened in addition to clips of their home's current state. It is a sight to behold.
Evelyn has a tough row to hoe. And our final advice to Mom: Please please please stop having children
she can't afford! Will she heed our pleas? Time will tell.
Visit No. 2: A day with Karelys, also from Cartagena. Will blog about this shortly.
September 2003
