An Orphanage Boys Can Call Home
http://www.bajatimes.com/articlesDetail.asp?sid=2249
By Jack E. George
Twenty –two years ago Project Mexico was established. The basic purpose was to involve young people in building homes for the poor in Baja California.
In 1996 the outreach grew with the opening of St. Innocent Orthodox Orphanage in Tijuana. The orphanage continues today and is home to boys who
otherwise would be living on the street trying to fend for themselves. In 2001, the home was named one of the top three institutions in the state.
Today it is one of the only orphanages available to young boys in Tijuana and one of only four in the country of Mexico.
Originally the orphanage was home to teenage boys. Today 21 boys call St. Innocent their home and they range in age from 8 to 24 years. The home is
now taking younger boys, according to Madi Franck, Work Trip and Outdoor Education Coordinator for the programs, because, “In recent years we have
been working very closely with DIF and other local orphanages to take in boys at a younger age before they are put out of other orphanages onto the
street.”
Many orphanages in Mexico allow their children to stay in the home until they reach age 18. Usually, the young adult is then set out on his/her own.
However, according to Franck, this orphanage is different in that, “Once the boys become 18, they are put into a transitional living program. They
still live on-site but in their own homes where they can learn to cook, clean, and do laundry. This program has been very successful as we have many
young men excelling in local universities and become self-sufficient members of society, but all the while being a great example for their younger
brothers. We always work very closely with DIF to bring us the boys that need to be in our program the most.”
Project Mexico was created in Orange County, CA as a result of the work of the founder and Executive Director, Gregory Yova. His goal was to create
the opportunity to provide young people the chance to reach out personally to those in need. Yova felt the need to involve them in helping to relieve
the suffering in Mexico. Mexico, still a third-world country, has a great need for basic human services according to the director.
Yova tells how lives have been changed as a result of this ministry. Not only do the services help those directly receiving the services, but it also
assists those that help by providing their services. He explains that the volunteers who build the homes are profoundly affected. He says that they
regularly receive letters from past participants describing the “awakening that has occurred.” As a direct result a number of these people become
active and eager participants in their home parish.
Franck explains, “Every spring we go out into the community with our local contact person and interview families. The families that we build for must
own their own land, so that we can be sure they will always have the home that we build for them. Once the families show us their land papers proof of
their ownership of the land (or payment status), we choose the families based on necessity such as: do they have a dirt floor; are conditions
overcrowded; does their roof leak when it rains.”
Orthodox Basic training had 150 volunteers visit the area in 2008. During their week visit they built seven homes. In 2009 the project was repeated,
but for two weeks. Eight homes were built during that time period. Franck explains, “This is a great program that helps to gather orthodox Christians
who are passionate about serving others, brings them to Mexico for a week to help the poor, and, in doing so, to receive a very large spiritual
blessing by helping those in need.” To date hundreds of homes have been built in Mexico for needy families. These homes have been built with the
assistance of 10,000 volunteers. These people have represented 43 states in America along with 11 other countries.
The non-profit realizes that to completely eradicate Tijuana of orphaned boys is an impossible mission for any one charity to set out to do. However,
to focus on providing a home, an education, and Christian training for any number of orphans is a goal and an accomplishment. This is the goal of the
group – to reduce the number of boys on the street of Tijuana and San Diego. In turn, this will help reduce crimes and help these young adults to
become productive citizens.
Continuing with their dedication to the orphaned boys in Tijuana, Project Mexico has purchased an eight and one-half acre ranch. The new home is
located near Rosarito Beach and it is said to be the ideal place to raise young boys. Aside from their chores, Christian life, and family the boys are
also encouraged to maintain academic success, learn vocational skills, participate in sports, and participate in counseling. The boys are showered
with love from the staff and from visitors from the U.S. and Mexico. The boys quickly learn they no longer must fend for themselves on the street
where they were exposed to crime, drugs, and prostitution. The structured, loving environment allows for a positive life-transformation.
A new addition - the 2500 square foot St. John the Merciful Computer Learning Center has continued to add to the programs focus on education. The
center, in combination with a classroom and an audio/visual area helps quench the thirst the boys have for learning and for improving with their
school work. The site also offers a library and reading program. The program is offering the boys English for Speakers of Other Languages. The boys
are eager to learn the English language which will, in their future, prove to be a valuable asset. All of the boys attend public school in the local
community. This allows them to make friends and live normal social lives. They have an onsite tutor at the orphanage that helps them with their
homework.
The boys also have other activities to enjoy. One recently added activity, that Franck coordinated this last summer, was a kayak program. She
explains, “This is a great opportunity to get the boys out into nature where they can strengthen their sense of teamwork, foster personal growth,
challenge themselves, and experience new wilderness activities.” The kayak activity was coordinated with Marie Humphrey, owner of Family Kayak in San
Diego. Humphrey, a Rosarito Beach homeowner, responded to a fundraising letter Franck had sent out earlier. As a result Humphrey donated her services,
life-vests, and kayaks free of charge.
The group set out for La Mision’s sanctuary early in the morning and spent the day paddling around the lagoon. Some of the boys, who had never dreamed
of ever seeing a boat up close, were able to navigate tandem kayaks alongside swans at the base of the mountains surrounding La Mision. According to
Franck, “We made a new amiga and Marie was able to give back and share some of her extensive knowledge about kayaking.”
Other activities have seen two boys recently join an esteemed folk dance troupe that performed at a number of functions including an appearance at the
Rosarito Beach Hotel. Other boys join in various sports activities, music lessons, and clubs. The boys also have their chores at the ranch. They are
responsible for all of the irrigation duties, ranch clean-up, livestock, an on-site store, chapel cleaning, as well as some kitchen responsibilities.
The older boys serve as counselors to the younger boys in different situations.
The ranch itself not only provides a great deal of learning activities it also allows the boys to earn some income. This comes from the chickens,
ducks, turkeys, rabbits, goats, sheep, and cows. The boys care for the animals introduces them to the valued skill of animal husbandry, as well as
learning to maintain accountability, and maintenance.
According to Franck most of the area orphanages are overcrowded. This leads to making the decision of who to put out on the street in order to allow a
younger child to enter an orphanage. The teenage boys are at the top of the list to leave, as it is said they are able to fend for themselves as young
as age 10. Where does a 10-year-old boy go who is suddenly let loose on the streets of Tijuana? Where does he sleep? Where will he find food to fill
his growing stomach?
Franck explains, “Unfortunately they quickly end up involved in illegal activity to support themselves. Girls have more options as they often marry
young or work in the orphanage system helping with the smaller children. We at St. Innocent take in only boys because they historically have been left
with the few options and are the children that truly, no one else wants.” She goes on to explain that the orphanage strives to keep their numbers
relatively low, in comparison to similar orphanages, “So that we can maintain a high quality of care and provide a familial environment.”
The program is always in need of volunteers to participate in many areas. If you would be interested in assisting, please contact them at http://www.projectmexico.org to learn more. During the summer season the non-profit has their house-building project. Throughout the year there
are a variety of other activities.
The orphanage offers a home to boys who would otherwise be living on the streets leading to who knows what. They are offered an extended family. They
are offered the love and comfort they have not had before. For some of these boys this is a huge step they have taken. However each new step they take
will prepare them for the future life they have only been able to dream about.
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