Centro Integral

About two weeks ago I traveled with the wife of the Chief of Defense to a very small orphanage that houses 23 little girls and 3 little boys, aging from 4 years old to 15 years.  There are two ladies who look after these children 24/7 and provide education to them.  Basically the building is 4 rooms containing a kitchen, classroom and two large rooms for activities but turn into bedrooms at night.  The kids basically sleep on very thin mattresses.  With the limited space you do what you can.  The hard part is seeing these young children in such a harsh area of town surrounded by barb wire fences.  We had to have armed escorts b/c the area we were in is in a very bad part of town.

The children earn their keep by doing chores and making / cooking bread and cookies.  Can you imagine a 4 year old kneading dough to make bread to survive.  It really touches your heart!  I got to try some of their cookies which reminds me of sugar cookies back home and they were very yummy.  We spent a few hours with the kids and had pizza, cake and candy......Yes, I had a good time at the store buying all sorts of candy.  I have noticed the candy goes over big, my concern is the children obviously do not receive dental care unless it provided to them through donations.  The MILGP has supported this orphanage through funding for a stove, bread maker and fridge.  Others have contributed by getting clothes from friends and family back home in the states.  Every little bit helps!  Some of the photos are a little blurry........camera issues.