Life in a Squatter Camp

Life in a refugee or squatter camp is very hard. Persecution and hopelessness lead to despair and desperation. Poverty compounds disease, domestic violence, crime, and addiction. Some children are abandoned, others seek a better life in the city. Street kids are a manifestation of adolescents who have made the leap from the frying pan into the fire.

Having a place where kids can play, learn, and help each other can make a world of difference. Few men are found in these communities, and those who stay have a great responsibility to protect and guide the children.

Some mothers are paid to feed and watch over the kids. The children are very grateful for the outside help they receive.

Director

Neil Millman

Director

Professor Neil Millman is a Geographer who did his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University and his postgraduate studies at Utah State University. Throughout his life Millman traveled extensively. After nearly thirty years of world travel he has visited sixty-six countries and lived in ten. Millman was always concerned about the plight of the poor, especially childhood poverty. As the result of a deep religious experience he had in 2000 he became an advocate for street children and created the Love At Work Foundation. In dealing with disadvantaged children in particular and the poor in general, Neil Millman has sought solutions to a wide range of problems. As a Social Entrepreneur he seeks ways of lifting children out of poverty by implementing innovative programs in education, health, and business. In addition to his love for travel, Neil Millman is a proficient photographer, videographer, and writer who has chronicled his many adventures. Along with his Mexican-born wife Margarita he travels annually to Mexico and Colombia to carry out humanitarian outreach missions.

Principle Partners

Professor Arnulfo Reyes

CAMION Proeduca Director

CAMION Proeduca's mission is to provide children in very poor communities with Preventive Education; a way of obtaining moral leadership and educational guidance to avoid crime. It also works with poor families by enabling them to use limited resources to foster community therapy.

Padre Jaime

Fundacion CANOA Director

Fundacion CANOA, basin in Tijuana, is a clinic for poor children with cognitive and physical disabilities. This program utilizes community therapy.

Tito Momen

First Generation Project Director

First Generation Project assists other migrants and refugees in adapting to new life in America. Tito is a Muslim convert to the LDS Church and author of: My Name Used to be Muhammad.

Professor Jose Vallejo

Fundacion Renacimiento shelter Director

Fundacion Renacimiento is basde in Mexico City. Professor Vallejo also continues to teach law at the Polytechnic Institute.

Heroes We Support

Jose Betancur

Jose is from Medellin, Colombia. HE created Fundacion Semilla que Crece to help recovering drug addicts and homeless seniors.

Dr. Erendira Trujillo

Dr. Trujillo is Director of Aldeas Infantiles SOS, an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico with 100 kids.

Gordon Carter

Gordon of the Charity Anywhere Foundation in Bountiful, Utah conducts various humanitarian projects in Mexico, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

Gabriel Restreppo

Gabriel himself a former street kid, directs Amigos de la Alegria for 90 boys from destitute families outside of Medellin, Colombia.

Rosaria Moreno

Rosaria was an Olympic runner. As a recovering alcoholic she now directs Casa Por Todos shelter and coaches kids for the annual street olympics.

Gabriel Rodriguez

Gabriel runs an appliance repair shop in Mexico City that employs recovering addicts. He is a great mentor and citizen.

Yolanda Belassario

Yolanda runs Jardin de Amor, a shelter for children of parents too poor to care for them in Medellin, Colombia.

Sally Pamploma

Sally runs a charity that provides nutrition and education to dozens of poor children in Medellin.