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R.I.S.E. has five nuns who live at the shelter and look after the children on a full time basis. The nuns belong to the Order of Carmelites of Jesus of Nazareth. R.I.S.E. is also fortunate to receive British volunteers sent to us from Outreach International in the U.K. They stay from three to six months. We also have volunteers who live in Vallarta during our high season who are our “angels”. They not only give of their time unselfishly but also make sure that our children are given a lot of love and arrange for outings away from R.I.S.E. to entertain them.

http://www.refugioinfantil.com

Baby Cecilia November 25, 2004   On this special day in the U.S. for giving thanks, I want you to be aware of our latest blessing at the Refugio.   On Monday afternoon we received Baby Cecilia, who was born earlier that day and brought to the Refugio from the hospital. She appears to be healthy and happy to be fed formula by our loving Madres and volunteers.

Above are photos of the Orphanage. I was very surprised to see how spotlessly clean it is. The children are clean and happy.
I want to thank the people at www.MexicoDonations.com for the use of their photos. They have a wonderful system going in Puerto Vallarta, whereby their efforts continue all year, even when they're back in Canada for the summer. Visit their site for more great pictures and if you'd like to donate to their efforts.   http://www.refugioinfantil.com/  Visit the website of the Orphanage.

Sheri (left), Antonio (bell captain), Colleen, Patti (Hotel Association) Click on pictures for larger view In March 2004, Colleen & Cheri made a trip to Puerto Vallarta to distribute clothing and medical supplies to one of the two main orphanages there.  We finally received the pictures from the Convention & Visitors Bureau which depict the huge boxes we took with us.  Our experience was rather interesting, in that the airport security saw the boxes (we usually take extra suitcases) and wanted to know what was in them and to whom they would be given. We thought if we told them the supplies were for the orphanage that it would be NO problem.  We were mistaken. They wanted to know if the items were new or used, what they were, and had many other absurd questions. We were afraid they were going to confiscate them and our efforts would all be in vain. We finally convinced them that our intentions were good and they let us bring the boxes in.  Next time, we'll take suitcases and not be so obvious.

REFUGIO INFANTIL SANTA ESPERANZA
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

http://www.refugioinfantil.com

Name of the orphanage: Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (Children’s Shelter of Hope)

Address of the orphanage:
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico
Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, A.C.
R. Flores Magon #251
Col. Benito Juarez
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco MEXICO
Telephone: (011 52) 322 222-7857

Children (Numbers, Ages, Boys and Girls, Special Needs Children (e.g. mentally handicapped): 32 children, ages birth to 15; presently 2 special needs, mentally handicapped. No child is turned away.

Staff (numbers and any specialization): 5 Catholic sisters (Madres) live full-time with the children

Name of Director and how long at facility: Director Madre Maria de Jesus Cazarez Mejia founded the shelter in March 2001. Prior to the Refugio, Madre Mary was formerly associated with Casa Hogar in Puerto Vallarta.

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