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Issue #3
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PROJECT VISITS - MEXICO AND PERU!
With Help from Hasbro
In May, The Collette Foundation was able to partner with Hasbro. Both Collette and Hasbro are family owned and located in Pawtucket, RI, but most importantly, both companies share a common goal of improving the lives of children throughout the world. Hasbro generously provided the Collette Foundation with a large number of Spanish educational toys, board games, puzzles and dolls for the distribution to our foundation sites in Mexico and Peru. In Mexico, a team of employees and clients, lead by Lucas Bialecki and Chris Cahill, visited the Granja Hogar de Los Ninos. Granja Hogar, located in Chihuahua, Mexico is home to over 150 children with a mission of teaching the children the importance of education and positive self-esteem. During the visit, the group enjoyed a tour of the Hogar, and a presentation by the Director, Sr. Ana. The group was able to spend some time with the children as they played soccer and other games. The toys, puzzles and other gifts were presented to the children - they were thrilled! A donation was also presented that will fund the construction of lockers for each of the children to keep their belongings. "It was really wonderful, the children made hand written welcome cards for us, to show thanks for our visit - everyone was so touched by it. Granja Hogar is a great place, I feel like we have really made a difference, and I can't wait to do more." said Chris Cahill. A few weeks later, a team set out for Peru. Here, the team visited the Hogar de Mercedes de Jesus Molina. The Hogar houses 19 girls from the nearby areas, offering them a positive atmosphere and opportunities for education. The Collette Foundation is funding the construction of a new kitchen and dining room with proper ventilation and running water. After a short tour and explanation of the improvements taking place at the Hogar, the girls got together to sing songs and dance. "They showed us some traditional Peruvian dances that we had seen countless times before, but they were my favorite of all! They invited us to dance with them-what fun we had!" said Carol Wright, Collette Foundation Member. Mary Roberston, a Collette client and Peru Fam Participant, commented "I would like to thank Collette Vacations and the Collette Foundation for their work/support of the orphanages/projects around the world. Our visit to the orphanage in Peru was absolutely a highlight of the tour for me and a very unexpectedly delightful afternoon. Our gifts to them shadowed in comparison to the priceless gift of joy we received from this well adjusted and happy "family" of girls. |
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Warming Hearts in Tibet As a new project team in 2008, Chris Alestra and Samara Doucette had a lot of research ahead of them. Through their hard work, they were able to develop a wonderful partnership with the Jatson Chumig Welfare Special School. Jatson Chumig provides over 140 children with basic needs - food, shelter, clothing - as well as a stable environment, a great education and the skills to become successful adults. The children at Jatson are orphans, physically challenged, or from very poor families. Most importantly, the school fills a large, empty place in the children's hearts, and giving them a large loving family, and a wonderful place to live. After assessing the needs of Jatson, the Tibet team has decided to provide the children at Jatson with new uniforms. As the winters are quite harsh the children need to be protected from the elements. Currently the children's uniforms are incomplete, missing crucial pieces like undergarments and sweaters. In Phase 2 of their support, the team is hoping to fund the construction of a medical clinic for the school. Clients will begin visits to Jatson Chumig in September, 2008. |
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Namaste, I recently had the wonderful opportunity to take the first group of Collette travelers to visit the Mother Teresa's Charity Home in Agra and to provide the raw materials for the staff to prepare lunch for the residents of the home. We enjoyed a visit with Sister Hasel, learning how the residents come to live there, the medical and caring treatment they receive from the staff of 8 nuns and volunteers. Of the 48 children, there are orphans who have been found on the street and others are from local families who are so poor they cannot provide for their children. The 150 resident adults face mental challenges, neurological diseases and are unable to care for themselves daily. The raw materials were 20 kgs rice; 15 kgs rice flower; 15 kgs refined oil and spices which cost the Foundation just $115.00; can you imagine lunch for 200 for $115? Sister Hasel was overwhelmed and so thankful to the Collette Foundation for committing lunch to the Home once a week for the next 52 weeks. We all agree that this project is changing the lives of children in a great way for the next year. - Nancy Davids, Employee Ambassador, India |
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Currently many of the Collette Foundation Task Forces are working on Fundraising plans for the coming months. Support your favorite Collette Foundation site by participating in any of the upcoming fundraisers - a little does go a long way! Stay tuned for more information! |
