Rosi!

They grow up so fast! Rosi is changing from a little kid to a pre-teen and it's happening so fast! She is doing really well at the club and is well liked among all her friends!

Eddie!

Eddie has an infectious laugh, just like his sister Rosie (Yuralma). You find him often riding his bike around the barrio, which he loves to do. In the past year, I’ve really seen Eddie grow from (literally) a thumb-sucker to a responsible young boy. He works with his uncle to help support his family. He’s really a special guy, and well liked by his friends.

July - Eddie!

Hola!
Wow! What a summer it's been, and we're only halfway into it. We can't believe how fast the time is going but we're loving spending so much time with the kids and being able to see them as often as we do. With the addition of classes, teachers and so many volunteers coming from all over we certainly are busy, but we're loving every minute of it! Here is a picture of Eddie after finishing a class at the club on day. He was just hanging out, having a great time! We love summer! :)

July - Rosi!

This summer we've had lots of crazy stuff going on, and the kids are having so much fun! We've had groups of volunteers come for single days, volunteers comes and stay for months at a time, people come in for specific classes, all sorts of things! Here is a picture of Rosi hiding behind the puppets the kids made themselves! They hang throughout the club and that's another one of our newest classes we've introduced. The kids love it! We're having a great summer, so far and we know it's only going to get more and more fun leading up to school starting!

Eddie

November

Rosi. The blue shirt is part of her school uniform


Rosi




Eddie, on the left, getting ready for Christmas

Halloween

Dove was able to get a huge donation of Halloween costumes and threw a giant party for the kids on the afternoon of Halloween, during Saturday Boys and Girls Club. The kids, as you can see, had a blast!

Eddie the pirate


Rosi the witch




Rosi on the right

Eddie in October

Eddie with his friend Andy welcoming Liz back!


The boys had an art contest; who could paint the best bench? Eddie came in second place!



In his school uniform


Eddie with friends and Cathy, the Club Director

Rosi

Rosi is 9 years old. When asked about her family, Rosi said her mom is a good cook, and she says her favorite food is white rice and beans! Rosi and Eddie's big sister, Janire, (21 years old) is taking a salon course.

Eddie

Getting a school uniform

Bike Business

Eddie is getting to participate in a bike program! The boys had a bicycle workshop this week. DOVE had 24 used bikes donated to them. A teacher came and taught Eddie and his friends how to put the donated bicycles together, how to grease the chains, how to adjust the brakes, rules of the road, arm signals, etc. The oldest boys are renting out their bikes to other people and charging them a fee; starting their own small business. Andy, being one of the youngest in the group, is on a points system. He is going to help with chores and business work around the club to earn points that will go towards his bicycle. If he is successful in helping around the Club and learning about business, he will be rewarded in several months by getting to keep one of the bikes. It will take a lot of hard work, but it is a great opportunity for him, and as you can see from the video- he is very excited!

Their House

More About Them...

This was written by Liz following a house visit- All 5 live in one room, very small. I love that the family is in tact. The uncle was visiting and everyone was so excited. I guess Eddie has been talking about being in the club, as I let him participate with the bench building and a few classes at Hilda's. He is always at the new place, ready and willing to do about anything to help out. I gave the family vouchers already, as they are so poor and Eddie brought his mom last week during voucher distribution time and I had to turn them away. That was so hard! Eddie is in grade 6, is a quiet and laid back young man. Always seems to know the right thing to do. His sister Rosi is in grade 3. Just spending some time with me in the club today, alone, was the biggest thrill!!! She played the hula hoop and wanted to mop and clean. She is so eager to please and happy to be a part in this program. A very sweet girl.

*August 2009

The Family