Los Ninos, El Futuro..Sports Day print story

September 28, 2011

Changes for New Hope, Peru

   Changes for New Hope has accomplished many of our goals this year, and there is still time left to accomplish even more. One of the things that hasn't happened until this past Sunday was to have all the groups of children in our project meet each other. They knew there were other groups and they were curious to meet them. Katherine, our director, had a plan to develop a Sports Day event for all the children to meet, get to know each other and participate in an event of sports activities. 

    She soon realized it was going to require more than just stuffing 90 kids into a combie, (a minivan used as busses here in Huaraz) drive to a field and roll out a soccer ball. The event began to take shape with the kind assistance of DECIDH, another humanitarian organization we have partnered with, some wonderful volunteers who offered their time and assistance. There was a few weeks of gathering donated materials and food, planning what activities would be played and plans on how to keep everyone moving along. There were meetings and ideas and great energy between everyone who was involved. I was impressed by so many rising to every challenge that popped up. Challenges in Peru are like popcorn in movie theatre. Katherine had the tenacity, the motivation and the love for the children to meet everyone of them. Katherine is a winner and I am glad she is on our team.
 

   A simple paseo (field trip) with the children became an event, now named "Los Ninos, El Futuro".  There was a new field in a local area that we were the first to be trusted with. The games were great and the teams were fully energized. There were talks about dental hygine and toothbrushes were passed out by our dentist friend. Two representatives from the city came to talk about environmental issues, There was a puppet show. There was food, drinks, ice cream, cake, brownies, pasteries, pizza, 80 liters of water (trust me when I tell you 80 liters of water is heavy) and all of it was donated by the good folks who have come to know and learn about Changes for New Hope and what we are accomplishing here in Huaraz and beyond. The local T.V. news has been instrumental in sharing our project to the community. The mayor of Huaraz, Vladimir Meza continues to be an active supporter.
 

   In the background was our large banner that beacons the words of encouragement to everyone, "Haz lo Correcto- Do the Right Thing" with our logo which has become ubiquitous throughout Huaraz and the words at the bottom in Spanish and English, 'Respect for everyone, respect for yourself."
 

   There is no turning back for Changes for New Hope and the children who have come to us for many different reasons. The challenges have become accomplishments. Questions have become answers. At the end of the day, children and their families who had never considered the possiblilities of a better life can now dare to dream, expect results and know that tomorrow the sun rises and it rises for them as well.
~~~Siempre, Jim Killon
 

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