HI FRIENDS!
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day here in Uganda, I made Penne pasta with a garlic sauce topped with chicken breast, bread and red wine of course. Erica and I ate by candlelight serenaded by Motown and the Kampala skyline from the balcony of our apartment. I love her so deeply, and I love Uganda. We head back home in two weeks, ready and not ready to leave at the same time.
We’re so proud of what we are doing in Mexico. Our board, our team at Buena Onda led by Brian and Sandy, and our supporters who make it all happen on a financial level. It’s a gorgeous effort led by people with beautiful hearts.
Recently we finally fine-tuned our mission statement, it’s: “Every child in Punta Colonet educated, healthy and thriving in spirit, with a hope for a future.” Our goal has always been to bring help to people in our pueblo with an approach that is balanced and addresses the entire individual: mind, body, and spirit. Our mission statement reflects that. I dream for a healthy generation in Punta Colonet fulfilled and living full, happy lives. Today however, there is poverty, neglect, abuse, poor eating habits, a lack of emphasis on education, only to name a few. We have much work to do my friends.
We’ve set the bar high this year, here’s a few of our dreams we’re working towards:
We need to bring electricity to our property, about 25k
We want to put flooring in our building, finish our commercial kitchen, storage area, office and classrooms
We are hoping to establish a tutoring program this year, equipping one of our classrooms with computers
We will launch our internship program for Mexican and international students to come and have a life changing experience while giving back to the community of Punta Colonet
We’ll expand our afterschool programming, camps and park hours for the community
We will do one large event in collaboration with local schools to bring encouragement and hope to the community of Punta Colonet
- We need to bring electricity to our property, about 25k
- We want to put flooring in our building, finish our commercial kitchen, storage area, office and classrooms
- We are hoping to establish a tutoring program this year, equipping one of our classrooms with computers
- We will launch our internship program for Mexican and international students to come and have a life changing experience while giving back to the community of Punta Colonet
- We’ll expand our afterschool programming, camps and park hours for the community
- We will do one large event in collaboration with local schools to bring encouragement and hope to the community of Punta Colonet
As you can see, we’re pushing! And these are only a few of the goals we’re reaching for this year. We can’t do it without you. Thank you for your donations, your monthly gifts and prayers. It’s changing lives.
Recently Brian invited the older children to begin dreaming for a future in University, to be the first in their family to further their education. He asked them them to share what they would say to an admissions officer. Learning English, Yoselyn wrote, “If I was in front of an admissions officer, at the University, I would tell him that my desire is to be part of this institution. I am not only interested in achieving academically, but also in fulfilling and trying to discover the purpose that God has for my life. I am willing to give my best, learn from the best, and demonstrate that I can be trustworthy as part of this institution. It’s a decision that will be worth it. My goal is to grow not only as a student, but as an instrument to glorify God. In each action learning and contributing to promoting values and becoming a better person and human each time.”
Impressive huh? Punta Colonet has amazing kids, worth investing into.
Love you and appreciate you always,
Chad.