Maria Luisa recycles plastic to survive. She also has chickens and sells their eggs to make money in Puerto Botanico, Paraguay. After becoming a widow, she had to work hard to raise her ten children, most who now live far away. Sometimes neighbors invite her to lunch or dinner when she has nothing to eat. She says she “likes to smile.”

Paraguay holds a special place in my heart because our daughter was born there.  After sponsoring kids for many years, I was interested to recently learn about an Elderly Program. Monthly benefits of food and medicine are given to grannies who are in a poverty situation.  They also receive blankets and coats in winter, a special gift on their birthday, and a Christmas present at the end of the year.

A staff member from the Project for the People of Paraguay visits grannies once each month, spending some time …
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Graduating from Kindergarten can be one of the first steps to a long journey down the road of kindness.  This was the fifth year as a volunteer at Partnership Academy where I was thrilled to see the expressions of pure joy on these amazing kids and their families.  I’m convinced they will be our future heroes.

Congratulations to all graduates!

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“All things seem possible in May”
Edwin Way Teale

May is a month when the opportunities for random acts of kindness expand. Our walks in the park give us a chance to acknowledge everyone we pass by. With the return of many events, we see possibilities to volunteer for new causes or those we may have forgotten about.

Your simple message of appreciation might be what a stranger remembers about this month of May.

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Before teachers and staff went on their well-deserved spring break, we wanted to thank them for the tremendous job they do each day to educate children.  As a volunteer at Partnership Academy, I have the privilege of seeing these amazing individuals in action. Every student is treated with respect and a whole lot of caring.

Our token of thanks includes coffee purchased from the San Lucas mission and cookies from the Cookie Cart. This allows us to also support the efforts of coffee growers in Guatemala and helps provide employment skills to teens who work at the Cookie Cart.  My husband and daughter helped add a few fun little extra treats.

Soon after delivering gift bags, we received several messages of delight.  Lisa Hendricks, Executive Director said: What an amazing and generous gift. We are so thankful and overwhelmed with gratitude!”  Randi Weiland, Literacy Coach commented: “Thank you …
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I’ve had the privilege of knowing some amazing women from around the world.  Twenty years ago, I sponsored Brenda, a young girl in Kenya who wrote beautiful letters and was one of the first in her area to attend college.   A few years later, I was matched with Laura and had a chance to meet her while visiting Paraguay.  Today Laura is also a mother living in Argentina.  Thanks to social media, I’ve been able to continue these connections.

Kudos to the wonderful women in San Lucas, Guatemala (photo above).  We had an opportunity to witness their beautiful smiles while visiting several years ago.  Now we support their efforts by purchasing the great coffee they produce —  Cafe Juan Ana – Cafe Juan Ana Coffee

I would like to add my heartfelt thanks to the birthmothers of our children in Korea and Paraguay. Without them, we would not be blessed …
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