The long awaited opening of Los Ojos de Dios home-clinic-school for abandoned, specially challenged children is here. Like an expecting mother neither the day nor the hour was known until the nest was ready, after many hours, days, months, years of endurance, structuring a sustainable plan founded on love.  Research that would determine the community’s foremost needs; a plan of action; perseverance to attain interviews with heads of city and state government; positioning our name as a trustworthy organization; consolidating, presenting breakthrough ideas and speaking for those who have no voice has not been easy. The needs of the marginalized were not readily taken into account. Community recognition and acceptance in Chihuahua, New Mexico, Texas and other cities around the United States have grown. Despite the lagging economy and numerous obstacles, the first phase of construction is at last about finished.

The first  40 -37-   children will arrive home on August 20th, 2008. We ask that you keep us in mind, as the fragile children will be transported from Mexico City to Cd Juarez. Our children, physically and/or neurologically challenged, some are HIV positive.  Each one of them carries the burden terrible past ordeals.

Our heart is broken because the delays have taken a toll on the children... Three of them will not make the trip; they recently died.  The wait was too long. We can’t risk to lose one more.  Regardless of what is still needed, regardless of those who gave up on us in the middle of our journey, we will bring them all home.  It is time.


With the great news of the opening and operation start-up, also comes the need for greater community support. Imagine when a family has one baby, the needs are many. When you have 40 children and 30 caregivers, the expenses are multiplied. We have knocked on many doors, only to return empty handed often times. Your support has carried us through hard times. Give us greater consideration during this special opening fundraising campaign. You generosity is Godsend.

You are invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 27, 2008 at 10:00am.

Your donation is needed, don’t put it off for tomorrow, write your check or money order today and send it. The children are waiting!  Make plans to attend and meet them.


Gerardo Rivera
Executive Director
www.ojosdedios.org

Last October, I was presented with a proposal to support a program that deals exclusively with the least of us. “The least of us” you say? Yes, within our midst, in a region of the world as wealthy and inclusive as we are, there are children, handicapped children that need help.

There are imaginary lines drawn on the face of this earth, and sometimes a child is born on one side of this line and receives health and rehabilitative care for his life and sometimes a child is born on the other side, and is warehoused, receiving only the most minimal amount of support as he or she grows.

El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico have an ally in helping these children. It is the power of believing that through small acts, we can enact change. There are many of us who quietly recognize the potential of helping and have seized the opportunity for us to lend a hand.

Nothing much needs to be done by you. A small check, the donation of your time, the donation of needed equipment, materials and supplies all work together to bring brightness to the lives of these kids.

For me, I am a Rotarian. I belong to a group of 1.2 million community business leaders who believe in the power of one. The power that one person working with another person with needs can indeed improve the human condition. For “Los Ojos de Dios”, we as Rotarians have provided funding through our Foundation and local clubs for the supply of new rehabilitative equipment for the internal clinic at the facility. In addition, 20 high school students from my home community spent their spring break constructing walls, planting trees and assisting the staff at Los Ojos to prepare the facility for its imminent opening. This last week, deliveries of donated hospital equipment to outfit another section of the clinic were completed, donated by Presbyterian Medical Services of New Mexico. Next week, the U.S. Military will donate ten hospital beds to the clinic as they upgrade their facilities. Our home town dental society is now working to supply a dental suite within the clinic to ensure that these children have access to basic dental services.

Pretty heady stuff! Not much of it cost Rotarians anything. Fuel, transportation and time. Rotarians and the high school age Rotarian students all worked together to hold small fundraisers to support the gift of time and muscle power needed to give a lift to completion of the facility.

I ask you, would you consider taking a moment of your day to ponder how you too may help the clinic? Would you involve your high schoolers in broadening their horizons? The greatest gift we give anyone is the one that comes from your heart. Please support me in supporting this magnificent facility, so desperately needed in Juarez.

Remember, the line on the map does not exist when we share in helping the soul of a child.

Joe R. Williams
Rotarian
Durango, Colorado