A truckload of donated items was delivered to five facilities in Tijuana. Eleven volunteers, including students for BYU and USU participated. I also paid for Professor Arnulfo Reyes to come from Mexico City in order to teach his program. The volunteers played with the orphans at Aldeas Infantiles and fixed up some dilapidated buildings. Volunteers painted walls. Dr. Reyes and I met with the director of Escuela Para Padres (Parents School). We visited a Catholic orphanage run by Sister Lily. Dr. Reyes engaged the kids with his boisterous Camion Proeduca activities. We delivered several wheelchairs and boxes of hygiene kits to Father James at Fundacion Canoa. We participated in various activities involved with helping children with physical and cognitive disabilities. Volunteers do daily stretching exercises on kids with cerebral palsy. Their equine therapy program is very effective. They are now building a pool for aquatherapy.
Dr. Erandira Trujillo took Arnulfo, Fiona Wright, and me to a clinic for teenage drug addicts where she maintains close ties. We donated many blankets and sports items to them. Dr. Reyes got the kids excited with his silly songs. Laughter was a rare gift for these kids who seldom even smile. On our last morning we visited a Catholic soup kitchen next to the border named after Father Chava (Desayunador Salesiano Padre Chava). We met with Padre Echaniz and toured their programs for the homeless. The kitchen operates solely on donations and volunteers.
The breakfasts are served daily with military precision, plus with LOTS of love! We helped prepare tables and serve the meals. It took three hours of hectic activity to feed around 1500 homeless men, women, and families. I passed out pastries, rolls, and crackers until they ran out. I was deeply touched by the staff of volunteers who do the work daily with so much enthusiasm.