Here’s a heartwarming follow-up to our recent threads about Dia de Reyes in Punta Banda. FDT organized a toy drive and with the help of several
Nomads, brought toys to a party here last week that the “peninsula” Nomads sponsored for about 40 kids. Among them were mudslide victims, orphans, and
children of Oaxacan migrant workers. Everybody got new toys, and some lucky ones got bicycles.
As it turned out, one of the party “guests” was 18-years-old, so he wasn’t listed for a present. We didn’t know he was profoundly retarded and, upon
leaving the restaurant empty-handed, began to bawl uncontrollably. Rotilio, a 9-year old Oaxacan kid, gave his newly-acquired bike to the older boy,
even though he had wanted one all his young life.
Nomads are by and large terrific people, and BajaCat is, in our book, one of the greatest. He rounded up two bikes and made a special trip to Punta
Banda today. Rotilio got a brand new bike, and his brother Alejandro got a bike, too. For good measure, he brought more toys for Rotilio’s other two
siblings. I have never in my life seen happier kids, and we were all moved by the tear stains on their muddy faces.
I’ve left out a lot of the details of the day, but here are some pictures. Thank you, Jose. You went beyond the call.
We arrive at the "village" around noon...
Rotilio's family of six lives in one-half of the blue "structure"
BajaCat, Big Mike and Leslie, and BajaBound2005 get set
Rotilio is set, too!
BajaCat makes the final adjustments...
And he's off!
Alejandro gets his bike and joins in the fun
Rotilio's sisters get presents, too
Rotilio and Alejandro, and their hero!
More photos can be seen at Rotilio's BikeSharksbaja - 1-14-2008 at 12:24 AM
These are real people. I can't find the words to say it but... job well done! Good on you guys for what you did. The heart obviously plays deeper than
the wallets do. Good on you! You set a wonderful example of unconditional kindness and love for everyone here.Sharksbaja - 1-14-2008 at 12:25 AM
Bajamigo>>>> what a very nice post.Cypress - 1-14-2008 at 05:52 AM
That's like someone giving a new car, his only car, away. Thanks for the
report.islandmusicteach - 1-14-2008 at 07:43 AM
Impressive, fantastic thing you did, and very inspiring. Thank you for sharing the pictures and story.David K - 1-14-2008 at 09:13 AM
Thanks very much!Natalie Ann - 1-14-2008 at 09:17 AM
There's no way around it - this is one incredibly heartwarming story!
That Rotilio would give away his bike on Dia de los Reyes - and that this is the second year of the toy drive when a child has given his/her bike
present to another child.... THAT brought tears to my eyes.
The fact that BajaCat returned with two bikes plus presents - well that so raised my spirits that I cheered aloud, "YES!" Gotta say I hold you in
most high esteem, Senor Gato.
This story reminds me of so many desirable aspects of us humans... makes me want to get out there and be a little bit better human myself today.
Thank you so much BajaCat... and Bajamigo for the report.
Nenabajajudy - 1-14-2008 at 10:05 AM
Well now you have done it.
I just figured out how to get drool out of my keyboard.
Now I have to pray that tears wont destroy it.
What a wonderful story. That little boy is amazing and so are you Bajacat!
viva bajacat
sylens - 1-14-2008 at 10:20 AM
wow.
thanks, bajamigo, for the telling and showing.
beautiful story about beautiful people. fdt - 1-14-2008 at 10:32 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Natalie Ann
That Rotilio would give away his bike on Dia de los Reyes - and that this is the second year of the toy drive when a child has given his/her bike
present to another child.... THAT brought tears to my eyes.
Nena
Thanks Gato you did great. For those who weren't there at the toy drive, BAJACAT promised to return and that he did wich I think is very, very
beautiful, some people promise stuff, commit to something and don't keep the promise or don't folow thru and oh well I guess some people have no
honor. "BAJACAT is a man of Honor", a great guy who will go out of his way to help and as you now know to keep his promise.
If any of you out there in Nomadland have not attended one of these toy drives, as I sayed before, you need to do so, it's a great experience. And as
Natalie Ann wrote, it's the second year in a row that children teach us about giving "All we have", not what's left over. Give, Give, Give all you've
got, Give till it hurts and then Give some more.
Thanks.
"El que no vive para servir, no sirve para vivir". A Scout saying.ELINVESTIG8R - 1-14-2008 at 11:25 AM
Ay Bajacat que corazón de puro pinché oro tienes. Thank You Bajamigo for bringing to the forefront what this good man did. I know Bajacat did not do
this for publicity sake but it sure merits this announcement. And thank you to those of you who supported Bajacat on his quest to get “Little Rotilio”
his bicycle and the other items he brought for his siblings. And finally to “Little Rotilio” himself for giving up his bicycle up to someone even less
fortunate than himself. That was perhaps the most touching and heartwarming part of this entire story. I can’t begin to tell you how that made me
feel. Ok I will shut up now or this old guy is going to cry. WOW what a story.BajaNomad - 1-14-2008 at 11:40 AM
Jose, words can't convey it anywhere close to enough - but thank you so much for your time, your consideration and concern, and your follow-through
this weekend once again.
Spectacular. Absolutely spectacular.
bajamigo - thank you sir for recording/documenting all of this - and for posting it to the board.
--
Dougdebindesert - 1-14-2008 at 02:06 PM
Thank you bajamigo for the posting.
What the Nomads did in bring smiles to many children, was such a good thing. All of us still feel we haven’t done enough. BajaCat (and the rest)
show an even greater human side by returning. Also, the pictures posted on the link of the Rotilio Family were hart felt.
These Nomads will surly have a place waiting for them in the hereafter. There might not be 72 virgins waiting, but at least a cold Pacifico will have
their name on it.
Debfdt - 1-14-2008 at 03:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by debindesert
There might not be 72 virgins waiting
Deb
Don't be pesimistic DENNIS - 1-14-2008 at 03:46 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
Don't be pesimistic
Maybe 72 slightly used.....Semi Nuevo as they say on the car lots.tripledigitken - 1-14-2008 at 03:55 PM
With children like "Little Rotilio" with big hearts, there is hope for this world.
Bravo Nomads
Text of an email from the missionaries
bajamigo - 1-14-2008 at 05:30 PM
Hi Vince & Kathleen:
Thank you for sharing the pictures. It was a blessing to see a smile on Rotilio's face. He very seldom smiles. He was still smiling this
morning when I asked him if he liked his new bike.
Thanks for making a difference.
God bless,
Jon & ArleneMango - 1-14-2008 at 08:25 PM
Great post. Great people. Thanks for sharing. BAJACAT - 1-14-2008 at 09:03 PM
Well put it this way guys and gals, this would happen If i wouldn't have join BAJANOMAD,.I can remember how many times I went by this place on my way
to La Bufadora,and didn,t know that this place hold so many things,like people in need,and when I say in need is a understatment,this people are
surviving in this conditions,and also to find in this place people like Bajaamigo,Bajabound2005, that help with making the connection beteewen the two
parties,also I want to mentione that they bought bike locks for Rotilio and Alejandro and also help with the presents too.What a great bunch of
guys.To prove this let me tell you something funny,Alejandro didn't know how to operated the brakes in the bike,so Vince(Bajaamigo),told him,"come on
let me show you how to do it",but Alejandro misunderstood,and did'nt hesitated and jump behind vince and stood firm in the bikes pegs,and wait it for
the ride to begin..
Thanks all the people that make this happen,and thanks to the fellow worker from my wifes work,that donated $15.00 towards the price of one of the
bikes,repliying !thats all I have i hope it will help you!, so thank you Rosa Gomes for your help.(wen didn't ask she saw the pictures and offer to
help).
[Edited on 1-15-2008 by BAJACAT]
[Edited on 1-15-2008 by BAJACAT]
BAJACAT - 1-14-2008 at 09:05 PM
pic #2 Rotilio and Alejandro Racing down the road,for a minute we could see them disappear in to the fields..
bajabound2005 - 1-14-2008 at 09:55 PM
Bajacat...that's Guys and Dolls (or gals) or whatever...remember, you thought I was a guy until we met! SURPRISE!!!!BAJACAT - 1-14-2008 at 10:04 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Bajacat...that's Guys and Dolls (or gals) or whatever...remember, you thought I was a guy until we met! SURPRISE!!!!
Thanks for the
report.
