STORIES

When I was nine years old, I came to live at Hogar Infantil, from Bernal Diaz del Castillo. At the time, five of us lived in a house in very poor conditions. I remember my house was built with bare mud walls; some call it adobe. We only had a hand-built bed and a hammock.

When I was two years old, my mother passed away…

So, I stayed with my three sisters and my father. Then my sisters married and went to live with their husbands. So, I was left alone with my father. Transport was very scarce, the roads were dirt, and impossible for travel in the rainy season. We had the school in the village, but because of the transportation issues the teachers did not come to school very often. I still remember the classrooms built with wood and wild palms, with dirt floors. As we lived in a village very close to the sea, the economic livelihood was fishing. Our most frequent diet was corn tortillas, beans and fish. When we were alone with my father, we had to cook, wash our clothes, and work. From a very young age I worked with my father fishing, and in some cases, we were in very dangerous situations when faced with storms at sea. I often visited my friends in their homes. Sometimes while they were having breakfast, lunch or dinner, I watched them eat in harmony, with the conversation of siblings, fathers, and mothers. Seeing this, I always wanted to have this experience at home, but it was a little difficult, knowing that Mom was no longer there. Sometimes, some families would invite me to the circle, which I liked very much.

The first days at Hogar Infantil were unforgettable. I still remember the food and the traditional drink, tascalate. I have fond memories of running in the countryside and in the evenings the great talks with the other brothers and sisters. I remember fondly how the older students, those who studied in high school and college, took care of us. So did the directors and kitchen staff. They were attentive, they made us feel like a family. And at lunch times we had some conversation, something I always craved. My own sisters and father gave me love, protection and affection. But at Hogar Infantil we found the opportunity to have a formal education and upbringing. That is, we learned values; respect for ourselves, our fellows and environment, gratitude, honesty, religion, etc. With this upbringing we had the opportunity to go to school, college and universities. We were also endowed with love, affection and attention. When we finished high school, Hogar Infantil supported us with university studies. I went to university in the city of Comitán, Chiapas, to study environmental engineering. During my years of study, Hogar Infantil---with donations from tíos y tías (donors--uncles and aunts)---was able to pay for my food, rent for the apartment, and study materials, as well as medicine if I got sick, shoes and clothes.

At the end of my undergraduate studies the University, I was given a scholarship to study a master's degree in any state of Mexico, which I chose. This scholarship was given by the federal government to recruit young people for graduate studies. I remember, to undertake this new program, I had no money for travel or food or to rent an apartment. It was Hogar Infantil that gave me a start with financial support for the first few months, while my graduate scholarship was processing. Thank you, Hogar, thank you...........

Thanks to the support of Hogar Infantil and the donations made by American donors (tíos y tías), we were able to finish a degree, which today is a passport to be able to live and survive in society, which demands professionals with a human aspect. I currently have a family made up of a girl and two boys and my wife Loli. We live in Ocozocoautla, Chiapas, Mexico. I currently work as a vice principal at a high school. I also have the opportunity and joy to live a stone’s throw from Hogar Infantil and to collaborate with the institution as a member of the local board of directors.

Note: We brothers and sisters of Hogar Infantil are very grateful to the donors, who have made it possible to achieve the dreams of our childhood. And that they continue to realize the dreams of our brothers and sisters who today live in Hogar Infantil. We have had the opportunity to meet some donors in person, some in photographs, and others just by their names. Despite the distance, we are very, very grateful for all the support, and wherever they are we have them present in our hearts, because they have always been and will be part of the Hogar Infantil Family.