STORIES

In 1971 when I was only 12 years old, I came to Hogar Infantil from the town of Villa Morelos, part of the municipality of Cintalapa, Chiapas.

I lived in a very small house with no electricity, plumbing, or potable water. In my town there was only an elementary school. 

At that time my family consisted of my two parents and four more siblings, and later three more were born to total eight children. My father worked in the fields, and my mother dedicated herself to the home duties. Our economic situation was very precarious, since my father was the sole financial supporter of the family. I finished my elementary school, and the closest middle school was in the city of Cintalapa, 35 kilometers away from the town where we lived. At that time, public transportation was scarce, and my parents didn’t have the resources to send me to study in Cintalapa. They heard about Hogar Infantil from one of my teachers, and that was how my father brought me to live at Hogar in August of 1971. Before coming to Hogar, besides going to school I had to work with other people, selling lollipops or working other jobs, or working with my father in the fields. When I got to Hogar Infantil, my father spoke with Don Nicolás (Nich Anderson). The first days of my stay were emotional: on the one hand I was happy to have the opportunity to study, and on the other hand very sad to be separated from my family. Nevertheless, I understood that this sacrifice was worth it so I could have a bed, reliable food, clothes, shoes, and most of all a chance to get educated and have a career. Of course, at that age I didn’t know what career I would study. With time I adjusted and made new friends with whom I shared many years and a strong sense of family. My biggest joy was when I was enrolled in middle school – I felt my life had made a complete turnaround. What did we all find at Hogar Infantil that we didn’t find in our own homes? They could be things related to emotional or material states. Some examples are affection, a feeling of belonging or place, family, backpacks, shoes, clothes, a plate of warm food, etc. These are only examples of what can help inspire both. I studied high school in Ocozocoautla (1971-1974). In the summer of 1973 Don Nicolás organized a trip to the United States as a prize for those of us who obtained good grades, so I was able to see another country and visit several donors who welcomed us with much enthusiasm. Of course, it was a very long trip because we did it by car, but it was unforgettable. I studied to be a teacher at La Escuela Normal in Tuxtla Gutierrez, a private school (1974-1978). because of my good grades I had the honor of attending breakfast in Mexico City with Mexican President Luis Echeverria Alvarez in November 1976, along with other colleagues. I remember that Don Nicolás was very happy when we started the last year of our higher education (September 1977). He wrote to the donors commenting that we would be the first to finish a degree and of course he saw one of his biggest dreams come true. Unfortunately, he passed away on October 24, 1977, which was very hard for all the Hogar students and especially for me personally. When Don Nicolás died, Jorge Adrián and I became responsible for the home. At that time, we were 19 and 18 years old respectively, now when I remember I realize we were very young for so much responsibility. However, with the help of God and the support of the Captain David Guinn, the home was able to move ahead. I am aware that we made many mistakes in our youth, but I am very proud to have contributed my bit to my brothers. I have always said that I have been very blessed by God for putting the child's home in my path, eternally grateful to Don Nicholás for his work, to the donors for being faithful with their financial support, and to all who have been part of the home.

In the journey of life, I suffered but I also have great achievements. I was director of the home 11 years; I have had the opportunity to be part of the Mexican board of directors and currently president of it. In 1984 I married Ana Laura, we formed a beautiful family, and we had our son Oscar Antonio, whom we were able to give a good education. He graduated in 2014 as an electrician mechanic from the Monterrey Institute of Technology. I am currently principal of an elementary school in the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, with 39 years of teaching.