CDV Helps 14 Orphanages Serving 750 Children in Baja
http://www.bajatimes.com/articlesDetail.asp?sid=2544
By Jack E. George
Volume XXXII, Number 138 October 1-15, 2010
When Hilda Pacheco-Taylor was eight years old her father abandoned the family. Her mother could not afford to feed her children let alone put a roof
over their head. She made the decision to place Hilda, along with her brothers and sisters, in different orphanages in Ensenada. Pacheco-Taylor was
overwhelmed – not only because her father had left, but then her mother - and the siblings were separated.
Years later, as a married adult with two children, she took a trip to Mexico. She decided to visit the former orphanage where she spent her growing
years. She was saddened to see it was worn down and the children did not have much food. She said this was a heartbreaking experience.
Following the visit Pacheco-Taylor knew she had to do something to help the orphanage. She went on to found the Corazon de Vida. She began soliciting
donations for her new foundation in order to offer food, medicine, and an education for the children. She was much more than successful. Through the
years Pacheco-Taylor, along with her foundation, has raised more than $5.5 million.
After breathing life back into her former home she realized that she needed to do more. In 1999 CDV expanded their help to 13 additional orphanages
that now serve 750 children in Baja. Nine of the homes are in Tijuana. The other six are located in Ensenada.
Today Pacheco-Taylor continues her work with CDV – which is where her heart is dedicated. She is also a successful executive in the
aerospace-industry. She is so successful in fact, that ‘People Magazine’ detailed her story in their May 3 edition. The magazine named her, “A Hero
Among Us.”
CDV is a non-profit organization licensed in the United States. It provides life sustaining support for orphans living in Baja California. There are
twelve board members, along with four advisory board members, who meet four times a year to direct the large operation. Each board member is deeply
involved in the program. One of these members is George Perez. Aside from being a board member he also oversees the operations of the Baja programs.
According to Perez CDV “…supports the structure that is in place. We are the fundraising organization that helps with what is needed. Mexican
directors operate the orphanages on a daily basis. They work with the government, schools, vendors, and so forth meeting the day in and day out
needs.” Of course, their main goal is to see that each child is led in a positive direction in order for the home to provide for a brighter future.
Perez explains that CDV has been dedicated to these 14 orphanages for a number of years. It is their goal to try to make a difference with these
homes. He says, “These are extremely difficult economic times and we struggle in providing their basic needs of food, water, and utilities.” Perez
said that most of the money generated from their fundraising activities goes to meet the basic needs of each home. In addition, CDV tries to also help
in some way with dental and medical care, educational needs, daily emergencies, along with such other items as gasoline, home building, mentorship,
and U.S. volunteer visits – along with anything else that requires funding.
Aside from the basic needs Perez explained that the main component of each home is education. He said, “Education is the key to ending our child
homelessness in Baja. We assist with uniforms, school shoes, registration, and material when possible. We have also formed partnerships with many
dentists and doctors in Baja to provide free or low cost services to the children. We also organize mission trips with U.S. doctors for medical care
at the orphanages.”
According to Perez the 14 different orphanages accommodate from 13 to more than 100 children. The smallest is a three bedroom home where 13 children
live. There is also a large, multi-acre campus where more than 100 children reside. The larger homes are in rural Ensenada. These large facilities
allow for the children to run around and play outside. However, the inner city homes in Tijuana “…have many children in a postage size piece of land
where they are much more limited with room to play and grow,” explained Perez.
The economy has hit the CDV funding and it has also hit each of the homes. For example, it has delayed the repair of leaking roofs, inoperable
toilets, vehicle repairs for school transportation, and school uniforms. CDV tries to make a monthly bus trip to the selected homes once a month to
make a visit. Volunteers travel from Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego for the day. They take lunch and a craft project for each child. More
importantly, they spend time with the children. CDV also tries to help with special events such as the Quinceanera’s, graduation, and other special
occasions – however, funds are becoming more and more limited for such events.
More than 600 of the children presently attend school. Most of the children attend public school. There are times when no seats are available. When
this happens CDV tries to offer assistance so the child can attend a private school. However, there are other children who do not have the proper
documentation to enter school. When this happens it is up to the director of the home to locate a birth certificate in order to help the child enter
school. Sometimes, due to a number of reasons, they are not successful in their endeavor.
One of the orphans is a seventeen year old girl named Maribel. She is presently in her final year of high school. She has lived most of her live in an
orphanage along with her two brothers. She has worked hard to earn an education and has maintained a nearly perfect grade point average. She also
excels at soccer. The home is very proud of the young lady and her accomplishments. They are grooming her to attend the university as they can see her
great potential. The young lady wants to give back to the orphanage. She hopes to be a mentor to the other children. She wants each of them to realize
that if they work hard their goals and their dreams can be achieved. Perez explains that there are many children like this 17 year old.
He tells about another young man named Lorenzo. He has lived at Casa Hogar Sion since he was a young boy. During those years there was a video made
about him as he explained his desire to one day become a doctor. In the video he said he wants to be able to help the children. His dream recently
became a reality as he started medical school. CDV has located education sponsors who have committed to see that his financial needs are met until the
title of ‘Doctor’ is added in front of his name. Perez explains, “This is a huge achievement and shows the children that they also can have their
dreams come true if they study and do their best.”
Most of the children are placed at the orphanage by DIF. Perez said that the homes often bring in children who have been left on the street. These
children have been exposed to terrible situations and circumstances. Others are turned over to a home by their families who can no longer support the
child. Other children have been abandoned or come from abusive households. Most of the children stay in a home until they reach the age of 18.
However, CDV makes it known to each child that the group will help with their financial needs if they will continue their education and stay in
school. Any child meeting this requirement can stay in a home until they complete their educational goals.
Perez explained that CDV is presently having more financial difficulties than usual. He attributes this to the H1N1 scare, general unrest, the overall
economy, and passport laws. These different issues have caused potential donors and sponsors from participating in the monthly bus trips to Baja. This
then results in fewer donations as well as other support. If you would be interested in offering financial support please contact Perez at
george@corazondevida.org or call 949-476-1144 X370 ( you can visit their website: http://www.carazondevida.org ). The homes do not only need financial support they also are in great need of volunteers. You can help as a mentor
for teenagers. The program also needs Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The homes need volunteers to paint and repair the homes. Other volunteers are really
needed just to talk with the children – as Perez says, “We need to send a message to the children that they are not forgotten.”
Perez said, “Nowhere will you find smiles larger than on these children and the most genuine laughter you will ever hear. They get by with just the
most basic needs and yet they are so happy.”
Contact Jack: jeg925 at yahoo dot com
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