Introduction
Say not, "I
have found the truth," but rather,
"I have found a truth." Say
not, "I have found the path of the soul."
Say rather, "I have
met the soul walking upon my path."
For the soul walks upon all paths.
- Kahlil Gibran
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Eleventh Family: Don Juan and Doña Olimpia
Written by: Amado
Despite
its proximity to the municipality, we see these indicators reflected in the
living conditions of lives of Don Juan and Doña Olimpia, who do not have running
water or electricity. This makes their housing conditions difficult because they do not have the basic housing needs.
This particular
family is made up of nine members who have been living together for twelve
years. Before getting married to Don Juan, Doña Olimpia had three children from
a previous marriage and later three more with Don Juan.
Their oldest daughter
is a single mother and has a one year child whose father does not provide any
kind of financial support. She takes care of all of the children in the family
when her parents are away working during the day. Although the family has
endured setbacks, it is also a family where there is strong communication,
understanding, and dedication to hard work.
Don Juan’s family is best
characterized as having a hardworking spirit and the desire to improve their
living conditions is evident. Don Juan is a farmer and seasonally immigrates to
farm in the state of Chiapas, Mexico.
Meanwhile, Doña Olimpia
sells second hand clothes brought from the United States in different
communities across the municipality. She must walk two to three hours almost
every day to reach different communities in the region. Two years ago she
became ill with a headache and would often lose consciousness for several hours.
Her illness resolved, after taking various medications and vitamins.
Regardless of the
obstacles this family has endured, they want to improve their living conditions
and quality of live. An indicator of this would be the blocks of cement and
wood they have already purchased. However, because their economic resources are
limited construction is on hold.
With the help of your donations Don Juan and
his family will receive the support necessary to improve their home; additionally,
your donations will help build a stove and an all-purpose wash station. To donate please visit ProjectHello.Club
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Twelfth Family: Don Valerio
Written by: Aldo
It is always interesting to observer the specific way each
family welcomes us when we get to their homes. For me, visiting Don Valerio’s
home was the highlight of the day. As soon as he saw us he had a big smile and
was very enthusiastic to meet us. Even though he is 70 years old, we could feel
his jovial spirit.
It was an enriching
experience to have his daughter Flori during the interview because she shared
details from her past which had a lasting consequences. For instance, Flori
talked about the negative results her parent’s divorce had in her life, especially
during her teenage years. After her mother remarried, she returned for Flori
and her siblings. However, Flori felt she was abandoning her father the
same way her mother had abandoned him.
Currently, Don
Valerio's living situation has become more difficult because now he is losing
sight in his right eye. He also feels uncertainty because his daughter Flori
has married and started a family and must take care of her husband and son; as is customary in Sibinal.
Thanks to your
donations, Don Valerio will receive a stove which will facilitate Flori’s
cooking. The new stove will eliminate smoke inside of the house which often
causes eye, nasal, throat, skin, and lung irritation. If you would like to
donate, visit ProjectHello.Club
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Thirteenth Family: Doña Elena
Written by: Alfredo
Doña Elena is a 49
year old widow who lives alone with her three daughters and a son. Four years
ago, her husband suddenly became ill and went into a coma he would not survive.
She greatly regrets the death of her husband.
At the time of her
husband’s death, they lived in her brother-in-law’s house. For two years her
husband’s family was supportive and everything seemed to go okay; unfortunately,
false rumors began spreading that Doña Elena was trying to take legal ownership
of her brother-in-law’s property. Soon after, she was forced out of the house
along with her children.
Doña Elena had to
seek immediate refuge due to her circumstances. Thankfully, her brother Fausto
owned an old abandoned house. This is where Doña Elena her children are
currently living.
Doña Elena’s oldest
daughter had begun middle school before they were removed from their home. Now,
do to her family’s economic instability, she had to stop her education and
dedicate herself to house work and taking her of her siblings. This has shattered
her hopes and dreams of going to college someday.
Despite Doña
Elena’s living situation and economic hardships, she doesn’t give up. She tries
to provide for her children by raising domestic animals such as cows and sheep,
in order to sell them. She has also come to rely on the help of her relatives
and neighbors which sometimes drop off some food for her and the children.
Her greatest aspiration is
to build a home where her children’s housing needs can be met. She wants to
fight for a better future for her children. Unfortunately, she’s doesn’t have sufficient
financial resources to give her children what she called, “viviendo con dignidad” or “living with dignity.”
Her brother
Fausto, is committed to partially build a new home for his sister. However, he doesn’t
have the funds to build all of the house. Thanks to your donations, our humanitarian
team will provide Doña Elena’s family with an aluminum roof and cement floor to
complete the construction of her new home. To donate, please visit ProjectHello.club
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Thank you for sharing these families' history and strengths in such clear depictions!
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