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“Nicoya & Friends” Foundation
“Struggling Against Children Sexual Violence”

January, 2008                                                                                               Houston, Texas
                                                                                                                       
Dear Friend:

Sexual violence is a problem that affects thousand of children and adolescents around the world and is one the main and greatest violation to human rights. This situation occurs when one or more adults, through the use of force, authority and power, or promise of payment, involve a minor in activities of sexual nature.

Sexual violence is the subjection of minors to participate in activities such as:

1.  Rape and sexual abuse
2. Prostitution
3. Child pornography
4. Trafficking and sale of children
5. Sexual shows (public or private)

All these actions are associated with numerous physical and psychological effects in the abused children that hinder their development, such as:

According to the last Nicaraguan census, 46% of the population (2,404,458) is under age 18, of which 47% (1,121,520) are women. Data from the annual statistics of the National Police indicate that sexual violation is the predominant sexual assault that is committed against women (96%), of which 70% (7 out of 10 cases) is committed against a girl or adolescent under age 18.  In other types of assaults such as kidnapping, the percentage of girls and teenage victims increases up to 86%; and in the case of sexual harassment/abuse up to 83%. In the cases of rape, 4 out of 5 victims have been girls or teenagers. Particularly, 2 out of 5 girls under age 14 have suffered from some kind of sexual abuse.  

The girls, boys and adolescents affected by sexual violence, as human beings in the process of physical and mental development, neither are responsible for their situation, nor enjoy the assault, as many people mistakenly think. On the contrary, they suffer on a daily basis cruel violations to their integrity, development, freedom and honor. They are victims of physical, sexual and emotional aggressions from unscrupulous people.
 
The treatment to underage person’s victims of any kind of sexual violence must be immediate. This requires a serious commitment from public officials, public institutions, and organizations that offer services to children and adolescents, as well as any person that is willing to fight the sequels of sexual abuses committed against Nicaraguan children. It is important that we joint efforts with governmental and non-governmental organizations and with the society at large to contribute significantly to the prevention and treatment of this epidemic that affects us all.

It is within this context and given the limited capacity of the Nicaraguan public institutions to assist all of the victims that Nicoya & Friends Foundation is created as a non-profit organization. Its main objective is to provide psychological, legal and social assistance to Nicaraguan children (boys and girls) and adolescents victims of situations of violence and sexual abuse.  The support to Nicaraguan children is a commitment assumed by this foundation since its creation.

Nicoya & Friends is asking for your support to meet the material and human resources needed to operate with efficiency and efficacy in the battle against sexual violence in Nicaragua. Your contribution to this noble cause is of great importance to the work done in favor of Nicaraguan children.

REMEMBER: You could be the only help that children and adolescents victims of sexual violence can count on. Help us to assist them!

Nicoya & Friends Foundation Nicaragua

For more information about the program and work of Nicoya & Friends, please visit our website at www.nicoyafriendsmission.org or contact us by e-mail at nicoyafriends@yahoo.com, or by phone at (281) 256-6235

Sincerely,

Doramaria Garcia
Founder and President

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Fundación “Nicoya & Friends”
“Luchando contra la violencia sexual infantil”

Diciembre 2007. Houston, Texas

Estimad@ compañer@:

La violencia sexual es un problema que afecta a miles de niñas, niños y adolescentes en todo el mundo y es una de las principales y más graves violaciones a sus derechos humanos. Esta situación ocurre cuando una o varias personas, bajo el uso de la fuerza, autoridad y poder o la promesa de una remuneración económica, involucran a un menor de edad en actividades de naturaleza sexual.

La violencia sexual se manifiesta a través del sometimiento de personas menores de edad a diversas actividades, tales como:

1. Violación y abuso sexual.
2. Incesto, rapto, acoso y estupro.
3. Relaciones sexuales remuneradas (prostitución)
4. Pornografía infantil.
5. Trata y venta de niños con fines sexuales y,
6. Espectáculos sexuales, públicos o privados.

Todas estas acciones generan en los menores abusados una serie de secuelas físicas y psicosociales que afectan su desarrollo, tales como:

Según el último censo de población, existen en el Nicaragua 2, 404, 458 menores de 18 años, o sea un 46% de la población total, de los cuales 1, 121,520 son mujeres. Datos del anuario estadístico de la Policía Nacional, determinan que la violación sexual constituye el principal de los denominados delitos sexuales, los que en su absoluta mayoría (96%) son cometidos contra mujeres, de las cuales, 7 dé cada 10 corresponde a una niña o adolescente menor de 18 años. En otros tipos de delitos como el rapto, la proporción de niñas y adolescentes víctimas se eleva hasta el 86%; y en el acoso sexual hasta en el 83%. En los delitos de estupro, 4 de cada 5 ha sido una niña o adolescente. De forma particular 2 de cada 5 que han sufrido algún tipo de delitos sexuales son niñas de 14 años o menos.

Las niñas, niños y adolescentes afectados por la violencia sexual, como seres humanos en proceso de desarrollo físico y mental, no son responsables de su situación, ni disfrutan de lo que hacen, como muchas personas erradamente creen. Por el contrario, sufren a diario crueles violaciones a su integridad, a su desarrollo, a su libertad y a su honor. Son victimas de agresiones físicas, sexuales y emocionales por parte de personas inescrupulosas.

La atención a las personas menores de edad víctimas de algún modo de violencia sexual debe ser inmediata. Requiere de un compromiso serio y responsable de parte de las y los funcionarios de las instituciones públicas y de las organizaciones que brindan servicios a la niñez y la adolescencia.

Ello explica la importancia de que personas, organizaciones y todos aquellos que estén dispuestos a combatir el flagelo de los abusos sexuales cometidos en contra de la niñez nicaragüense, se sumen a los esfuerzos que ya realizan organizaciones gubernamentales, no gubernamentales y sujetos de la sociedad en su conjunto. La suma de todos estos esfuerzos va a contribuir de manera significativa en la erradicación de este mal que nos aqueja a todos y todas.

En el contexto de esta problemática y dada la limitada capacidad de respuesta que tienen las instituciones publicas nicaragüenses frente a esta situación, nace la Fundación “Nicoya & Friends” como una asociación civil sin fines de lucro, cuyo principal objetivo es brindar asistencia psicológica, jurídica y social a niñas, niños y adolescentes nicaragüenses víctimas de situaciones de violencia y abusos sexuales. El apoyo a la niñez nicaragüense es un compromiso que esta Fundación ha asumido desde su creación.

“Nicoya & Friends” solicita tu apoyo para suplir sus requerimientos de recursos materiales y humanos, para operar con eficiencia y eficacia en la lucha contra la violencia sexual infantil de nuestro país. Su apoyo a esta noble causa será de gran importancia para la labor que realizamos a favor de la niñez nicaragüense.

RECUERDE: Usted podría ser el único recurso de apoyo con el que cuentan las niñas, niños y adolescentes víctimas de violencia sexual infantil en Nicaragua. ¡¡Apóyenos en la lucha para su erradicación!

Fundación “Nicoya & Friends”
Nicaragua

Para mayor información sobre la labor que desarrolla Nicoya & Friends, contáctenos al correo electrónico de la fundación: nicoyafriends@yahoo.com, o a los siguientes teléfonos: 281-256-6235. O  visítenos en nuestra página Web: www.nicoyafriendsmission.org

Gracias.

Doramaria Garcia
Fundadora / Presidenta

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The Newsletter for Nicoya & Friends Christian Mission. 
El Boletin official de Nicoya & Friends Mision Christiana
August - November, 2007

The Mission of  Nicoya & Friends is to build an orphanage for sexually abused children in Nicaragua.

Hello Friends,

First of all I would like to apologize for the delay of this newsletter.  There has been a lot of activity these last three to four months and I would like to thank God for his guidance and blessings throughout these months.

It’s been a very trying, but yet exciting time in our mission.  Let me begin by saying that if you ever visit or have ever had any experience in the process of legal transactions in Nicaragua,  then you will understand that the legal process is very different and can be very challenging. 

It is important to inform you that due to the nature of the specialty of our center, our board of directors of our mission has made the decision to accept only girl’s ages 0-10 years at this time.  We will be able to open the center with 10 girls at this time.  We promise, as our budget grows, that we will be able to open the door to more little girls.  In 2005, according to the Minister of family, they had 35 girls ready to be placed in our center.  That number has doubled by now, so please pray and set a personal goal to see that those girls will have a safe place to go to and have the opportunity to talk to a professional and begin their healing process from those scars caused by the abuse they have suffered. 

Due to our very limited budget, we are in need of volunteers from all over the world to help us with our mission.   We need help in putting together fundraising events, advertisements, banners, brochures, magnet for cars, etc.  Also, we need help with translating our website from English to Spanish.  It has come to our attention that the previous monthly budget plan of $1500 will not be sufficient due to the new Nicaraguan laws.  A new budget plan of approximately $3000 to $3500 will be discussed next month.    We pray that God will touch the hearts of many people to give to our mission on a monthly basis.  As little as $20 a month or whatever you can give is greatly appreciated.

It has taken big efforts from many people to accomplish what we have done so far in this mission. Thanks to our president in Nicaragua, Marjorie Suarez de Sodano, who has been responsible for all the leg work, running around getting signatures for the legal documents, driving to and from the Health Department for the inspection of our center, and all other necessary travel.  Thanks to a mutual friend from high school, Alba Azucena Palacios, who came to the rescue and met with us on two different occasions. We discussed the problems we had faced regarding the legal transactions and we are happy to announce we will be opening the center very soon.  Additionally, we had lots of rain in Nicaragua and our center suffered some roof damage among other things.  Thanks to our secretary, Sandra Hudgins, who got on the ball and hired three men to help fix all the damage, installed bob-wire all around the fences, and painted the house with  bright colors.  Also, they built a back porch to be able to install the washing machine.  Sandra, your heart for this mission is immeasurable!

Soon after, our vice-president, Vida Alvear de Rivas took it upon herself to decorate two weekends in a row.  She decorated from top to bottom and did an awesome job.  Thanks to Vida for such beautiful art work. It takes a village to complete our center and get it ready for opening day.  Thank God for the hearts of our board members in Nicaragua; we, here in Houston, could not do it without each and every one of you.

We would like to welcome a new member to our mission in Nicaragua, Ms. Catalina Benavides Osegueda who replaces Wilbert Lopez.

Here in Houston, we have been working very hard raising more funds.  We had another garage sale on October 27th and collected $800, thanks to God.  Angelina Barreda, our very own board member, worked long hours and we could not have done it without her.  She has a very kind heart and adds to a new dimension when it comes to caring for those little children who so desperately need a safe home to come to.  Thank you Angie!  Also, many thanks to her husband who helped and supported his wife, Angie, and our mission by providing the warehouse where we stored all the items/merchandise and held these garage sales.  Thank you Camillo Barreda for helping us raise over $3000 through all the garage sales combined. 

Again, we would like to thank everyone who has donated to our mission.  We appreciate all of your generous donations.  Donations this quarter came from Carlos Morales from Florida, Rebecca Scheverman a friend of Cypress Massage in Houston, Marisol and Robert Gaudet from Canada, the Aimeida family from Houston.  Also, in the past month we have had donors who began to pledge on a monthly basis; Theresa Joe, Linda Rowland, and Laura Hinton.

During my last trip in October to Nicaragua, we received all furniture and items that were ordered for our mission.  Included were 8 twin beds, 2 cribs, set if table and chairs, 4 rocking chairs, and educational materials.  Jorge Gonzales donated six computers.  Four desks were donated by Sandra Hudgins.

         
We have hired Regina Acevedo a full-time psychologist who is temporarily helping complete with all tasks as needed such as employee’s job descriptions, background checks and health checks.

I can’t stress enough the feeling we will experience knowing that, very soon, ten little faces will light up and be out of harm’s way.  These children are waiting for our hugs and I wait anxiously to give each and every one a big hug.  It is a matter of time!  I have this picture in my mind every single day, to see the smiles from these little girls.

However, as it is written:
“No Eye has seen,
No Ear has heard,
No Mind has conceived,
What God has prepared for those who love Him”
But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
 
We are so blessed to be part of this dream come true.  You can also be a part!

If you ever visit Nicaragua, you are welcome to come and see with your very own eyes, what God’s is doing there at Carretera Sur, Kilometro 11 y Medio.  Our very own sign is up!

We are going to be posting the pictures of the center sometime this week, so please take time and check our website www.nicoyafriendsmission.org . Any question please e-mail me at, nicoyafriends@yahoo.com

For cash donations please mail to:
Nicoya & Friends Christian Mission
A Non-profit organization
P.O. Box 550554
Houston, Texas 77255-0554

God bless you and your family.

Doramaria L. Garcia
President / Founder

Ps. Maria Stiger thank you for your support and help putting this newsletter together, you are and awesome lady!

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The Newsletter for Nicoya & Friends Christian Mission. 
El Boletin official de Nicoya & Friends Mision Christiana,
July 2007

The Mission of  Nicoya & Friends is to build an orphanage for sexually abused children in Nicaragua.

Hello Friends,

I hope and pray that this past month was full of many blessings for each and every one of you.  Our Mission had many blessings this month through the help of many volunteers that have made our fundraising events successful. Despite the high temperatures, the garage sale took place July 14th and 15th and raised $1508.   Items such as clothes, shoes, appliances, furniture, kitchen utensils, toys, and many more were sold. Thanks to the donations from many people in the Galveston, Katy and Houston areas.

This are a few of our garage sale volunteers; Daniel Garcia, Regina Fedochenko, Consuelo Chapa, Joe Medina and Diana Cruz.

In addition, we would like to give thanks to our new donors, Norma Montalban, Johnny and Connie Garcia and our regular monthly donors, Berta Blandon, Orlando Falla, Armando Gaitan and Corina Bieger and all her clients at Cypress Massage Therapy.

Great news! Check out the “Pay Pal” that has been added to our webpage for on-line donations.  This feature will help our mission greatly, our webpage is: www.nicoyafriendsmission.org

I had the opportunity to take a three day trip to Nicaragua on July 18th.  It was a short trip but very busy and full of blessings.  I met with the board members and we coordinated the purchases for the center which included a stove, refrigerator, washer, microwave, iron, blender, toaster, stereo component, DVD/VHS player.  Also, a rocker, beds, 2 children’s’ tables with chairs were purchased.  We have placed an order for 10 twin size beds in Nicaragua.

In addition I was able to purchase items here in Houston to take with me in this trip.  A 19” television, 2 phones, first aid kit, shower curtains, towels, soaps, toothbrushes, hamper, bed sheets, blankets, mattress covers, wall décor, plates, cups and glasses.  I also took silverware, a can opener, tablecloth, kitchen knives and Tupperware. 

This is the front of the Center

the delivery truck

All the new appliances being delivered

Decorating the walls of our new Center is our Vice-President of our Mission in Nicaragua, Vida Alvear de Rivas

Marjorie Suarez de Sodano, President of our Mission in Nicaragua
checking out our new kitchen.

Walking in the front of lawn of the Center are: Eveling Lopez and Vida Alvear de Rivas

We have ordered 10 teaching manuals and kids’ educational books on sexual abuse awareness from Juven Fami Company which is located in Guatemala.

Due to the newly revised regulations, the Nicaraguan government is taking steps to redesign the requirements for the non-profit sector, stating each center is ‘specialized’.  Additionally, criminal background checks are required to be done on all board members and staff before any center is allowed to become operational.  It is now required to present a written one-year project outlining a schedule and the operations of the center.

It has been estimated that it will take approximately $1500 a month to operate the center.  Nicoya and Friends Christian Mission needs your support.  Your donations will help us build a center for abused children. We can’t do it without you!  Spread this message to your friends and relatives and help us to help the children in Nicaragua be placed in the center where they will be safe and nourished.

If you would like to purchase a raffle ticket for a 62” Mitsubishi TV please contacts us at, nicoyafriends@yahoo.com , or call 281-256-6235 for more information, they are $20 each.  We will contact the winner by phone or email.  In addition, we will have another garage sale in October. Date will be set soon.

We are happy to announce that we are making plans to begin a bilingual website.  Nicoya and Friends Christian Mission’s website will be translated into Spanish. 

We personally have learned to trust God everyday with a new beginning in our lives and absolutely have the faith that everything that happens in our Mission it is in God’s timeframe. 

We appreciate any donations!  I pray that you will find a purpose in your life to help sexually abuse children in Nicaragua and together we will be able to stop the vicious cycle of child abuse.

Many Blessings to you and your families.

Doramaria Garcia
President and Founder

Our Vision
We believe in hope,
We believe in dreams,
We believe that all people have value and belong.
We believe that when we come together  in Christ that the Lord opens doors and sheds new light into the lives of each child.  Giving each child the opportunity to open their heart and feel the Love of Christ around them. Along with the ability to live quality lives and accomplish whatever goals they may have in the future.

The families of Nicoya & Friends

Nuestra Visión
Creemos en la esperanza.
Creemos en los sueños…
Creemos en que todas las personas valen y pertenecen.
Creemos en que juntos, podemos abrir puertas que antes han estado cerradas y  nuestros niños vivirán vidas cualitativas y que lograran cualquier meta que se propongan, gracias a la unión de nuestro esfuerzo.

Las familias de Nicoya & Friendsl

President and Founder: Doramaria Garcia
Board of Directors: Angie Barreda, Lillian Wilder, Evelyn Lopez, Maudie Engle
                             Maria Stiger, Pam Cannon, Lilian Garcia

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Previous newsletter archives:

The Newsletter for Nicoya & Friends Christian Mission. 
El Boletin official de Nicoya & Friends Mision Christiana
May, 2007

The Mission of  Nicoya & Friends is to build an orphanage for sexually abused children in Nicaragua.

Hello Friends,

I hope and pray that this past month was full of many blessings for each and every one of you.  Our Mission has been outstanding this month, with many of God’s blessings and he has opened doors of opportunity for our new Center “Children Hands” in Nicaragua.

Let me begin by telling you all the good news! Our webpage has been revised and is up and running, thanks to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sherwood from South Carolina and thanks to Mr. Will Sherwood for the web’s free maintenance.   Please take some time and visit us at www.nicoyafriendsmission.org.

There has been exciting things happening in our mission. It has been a very busy and productive month.  I traveled to Nicaragua the first week of May to oversee the legal process of the mission and to find new avenues for a new location for the center.  We still need to raise $50,000 to buy the beautiful house in Mozonte for our future orphanage, but in the meantime….

On May 28, I received news from Nicaragua, that they had found a house big enough to start our Center “Children’s Hands” “Manos de Niños” (spanish). This will be a temporary center located at  Carretera Sur, kilometer 11, Managua.  This house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a big yard and a beautiful porch in front of the house.  We have signed a year’s lease for $400 a month.

 We need to purchase furniture, beds, kitchen assesories, etc.  We will begin interviews as soon as possible to hire a Psychologist, cook/housekeeper, security guard, and an Educator.  We had a very successful meeting with the Minister of Family in Managua and came to an agreement to begin placing sexually abused children in our Center as soon as we finalize the legal paper work.  We will begin with 10 children, and as we raise more financial support here in the U.S.A., it is with our hopes and prayers that number will grow.

We have been very busy here in Houston raising funds for this Mission. On May 26 we held a garage sale and raised $803.80. Thanks to all who donated and those who volunteered.  Due to the overwhelming response from people in the areas, we have decided to have another garage sale on July 14th!  We need volunteers! Please contact us if you are interested.

We are asking for any items such as clothes, shoes, furniture, toys, etc.   Drop off location is: 703 Montana, South Houston, off I-45 South Exit Winkler at Hwy 3.  For more information and to pick up your donated items, please call 281-256-6235 or email nicoyafriends@yahoo.com.

Our homemade tamales sale was a big success once again. We want to thank Mario Lopez and  the “Drill Quip” employees for their supporting our Mission. We raised $428.00

We want to thank our newest supporter Corina Bieger and all her clients at Cypress Massage Therapy.

Thanks to all our monthly supporters.  It is an honor to have you participate in our wonderful mission and great cause.   God has given us a wonderful mission to support and we thank you for seeing the vision and helping make this dream come true for hundreds of children in Nicaragua who will soon be coming to our Center.

We personally have learned to trust God everyday with a new beginning in our lives and absolutely have the faith that everything that happens in our Mission is in God’s timeframe. 

For monetary donations please mail to:
Nicoya & Friends Christian Mission
A Non-profit organization
P. O. Box 550554
Houston, Texas  77255-0554

We appreciate any donations!  I pray that you will find a purpose in your life to help sexually abuse children in Nicaragua and together we will be able to stop the vicious cycle of child abuse.

Many Blessings to you and your families.

Doramaria Garcia
President / Founder

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APRIL, 2007

The Newsletter for Nicoya & Friends Christian Mission. 
El Boletin official de Nicoya & Friends Mision Christiana

The Mission of  Nicoya & Friends is to build an orphanage for sexually abused children in Nicaragua.

Hello Friends,

This past month has been a great challenge with the weather here in Houston, Texas.  I would have never imagined having cold weather during the Easter Holiday.  Anything and everything is possible when it comes to Houston weather.  Just as we start to warm up…here comes the cold weather again.  Those same things will help guide us through this year.  We have to keep our batteries charged and our tanks full for the journey which lies ahead.  Sometimes the first road we’ve chosen isn’t the best and we have to take a detour.  It may take us longer to get there but, if we keep our tanks full we can reach our destination. I believe that God is trying to tell us that he is the only one that has control of the weather just like he is in control of everything else in our lives.  So expect great things and changes in each of your lives.  The Lord is in the midst of doing great things

Nicoya & Friends Christian Mission is going through so many challenges everyday.  As we continue to reach our financial goal to pay for the orphanage, many faithful people have stepped out of their comfort zone and are getting involved financially to take part in such a wonderful blessing.  We know and believe that the Lord will provide and see to it that this orphanage will soon be up and running all in his great timing.  Please continue to pray with us as we seek God’s obedience and guidance in this mission.    

We are so blessed to encounter many volunteers that are willing to sacrifice time and of themselves to help us with our fundraisers.  The fundraising includes tamales sales, raffles, and our new tee shirts for sale which were donated by Christian Image.  If any of you would like to be part of our mission and have any ideas to share for fundraising, we would be honored to hear from you.

Also, we would like for you to share with your friends and co-workers about our mission, so the Lord will bring the people needed to fulfill his purpose in our mission.  We are still looking and waiting faithfully for someone to be a volunteer or missionary who will feel the calling to help run the center and will be able to find his/her own financial support to live in Nicaragua.

A garage sale will be held on Sat.  May 26th.  We are asking for any items such as clothes, shoes, furniture, toys, etc, etc.  For drop off go to 703 Montana, South Houston, off of Winkler and Hwy 3.
For more information, please call 281-256-6235 or email nicoyafriends@yahoo.com.

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January 16, 2007

Dear Friends and Families,

I am hoping that the New Year will bring each of you peace and many blessings from above.

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for those of you who sent donations last month.

Second, I would like to share with you a little about my last trip to Nicaragua and to inform you of where we stand with Nicoya and Friends Christian Mission.  We finally got our own logo which was created by a very talented young man in Managua.  I left Houston on December 4th and returned December 20th.  During that time the country celebrated Christmas and it was unbelievable to experience the Spirit in the mist of such poverty.  We were reminded of the true meaning of Christmas and what Jesus’ love truly means.  We have the opportunity to have eternal life for free because he obeyed the Father and because his love for us is infinite.

I had the opportunity to meet with six members of Nicoya & Friends and they are very excited about starting the Center’s operation soon.

  I spoke to Mrs. Hudgins about the down payment of $5,000 that was sent to her husband here in the U.S back in November.  Another $1500 was requested as a follow-up payment for the Center.  Mrs. Hudgins will be leaving Nicaragua in February.   She is requesting that we take possession of the house as soon as she leaves.  That means we should be ready to open the Center sometime in March.

We still need to raise $50,000, no interest, to pay for the house. We have six months!

We calculated that in order to run the Center, it will take approximately $1500 a month for the first six months depending on the number of children we get.   We are in need of financial support to run the Center.  Personnel are ready to start working.   We need prayers and lots of efforts to help this operation get started in March.

I am so grateful to have all of you participating in this very noble cause.

God Bless you and your families and Best Wishes!

Doramaria L. Garcia
President / Founder