Posts filed under ‘President’s Post: Bob’s reports from the field’
Bob’s notes: ‘We consider Guatemala very sacred ground’
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“Bob’s notes” are reports from CFCA President Bob Hentzen, who regularly accompanies mission awareness trip participants. You can see Bob’s full update on his Facebook page.
It’s great to be in touch from Guatemala, this very special place — with this very special group of sponsors, families and fellow workers.
Guatemala welcomes our mission awareness trip with a green countryside and spring-like temperatures.
Google tells us the ancient Nahuatl word Quauhtlemallan means “place of many trees.”
Guatemala’s volcanic soil is very fertile. Our projects and families across Guatemala are in the process of planting 1,000,000 trees. We consider this very sacred ground.
The pictures in this report are offered by Ricardo Ajpuac, as always with his big smile. Mil gracias, Ricardo.
At this time, CFCA has the privilege of working with more than 89,000 children, youth, and aging in Guatemala. Read more
September 6, 2011 at 8:00 am Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 1 comment
Bob’s notes – mission awareness trip to Honduras
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“Bob’s notes” are reports from CFCA President Bob Hentzen, who regularly accompanies mission awareness trip participants. You can see Bob’s full Aug. 13 update on his Facebook page.
Honduras is a special place for many of us at CFCA.
In her indigenous roots (Maya, Lenca, Tolupane, Pech, Chorti), blending of cultures, and centuries-old struggle for independence and democracy, Honduras continues to call her people to the greatness of hope. Great pride is found in being “catracha.”
For us at CFCA, Honduras is honored as the missionary formation land of our co-founder Jerry Tolle. Jerry encouraged opening our CFCA sponsorship program in El Progreso, Yoro, in 1982.
It is also the birthplace of my wife, Cristina, and her wonderful family. Cristina and I are delighted to be in Honduras with 32 CFCA sponsors, all eager to listen and learn. Read more
August 19, 2011 at 8:00 am Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 2 comments
Bob’s notes – Mission awareness trip to El Salvador
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“Bob’s notes” are reports from CFCA President Bob Hentzen, who regularly accompanies mission awareness trip participants. You can see Bob’s full update on his Facebook page.
The Pullman bus from Guatemala dropped us off at a gas station out on the highway near Santa Ana, El Salvador.
What an experience to travel over the terrain where we had walked in January 2010. Often we struggled up these respectable hills in the tropical heat.
Cristina and I noticed a welcoming group of about 100 sponsored children, elderly and families with homemade banners and songs. Of particular note were two children of special abilities who didn’t miss a beat. Read more
August 5, 2011 at 8:00 am Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) Leave a comment
Bob’s notes – mission awareness trip to Guatemala
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“Bob’s notes” are reports from CFCA President Bob Hentzen, who regularly accompanies mission awareness trip participants. This trip is his first since completing Walk2gether, a nearly 8,000-mile walk through 12 countries to shed light on poverty and the benefits of child sponsorship. You can see Bob’s full update on his Facebook page.
To say the welcome offered to Cristina and me in Guatemala after completing Walk2gether was spectacular would be an understatement.
It was truly heartwarming and encouraging. We’re deeply grateful and look forward to moving ahead with confidence on all fronts.
It’s a pleasure to be in touch with you on this July 2011 mission awareness trip to Guatemala.
The children and families from the neighborhood of La Selva in the neighborhood of Peronia offered a spontaneous and well-prepared show for the sponsors. They won the hearts of all. Their spontaneity and childlike joy represented a great start for this trip.
July 30, 2011 at 9:45 am Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 2 comments
Bob’s travel notes to Costa Rica
Mission awareness trip to Costa Rica
Nov. 7-14, 2009
CFCA has been working to build hope for families in Costa Rica since 1991 and as of November 2009, we have 6,099 children sponsored together with 436 aging. Currently, 716 children and aging are on the waiting list for sponsorship in Costa Rica.
Reality check
According to staff, there is a very high index of domestic violence in Costa Rica, including abuse of women and children. The country has excellent medical care but it’s heavily concentrated in the capital. Many rural areas have big challenges with dysentery and typhoid fever. In addition, residents here face a high cost of living and marginalization of immigrants.
Sunday, Nov. 8—Alajuela—Subproject Sabanilla
On Sunday, we visited Sabanilla. A strong earthquake in January 2009 destroyed crops and forced businesses to close. One year ago, CFCA began to support this community.
The trip through the coffee plantation was very pleasant. However, we ran into a terrific storm that made the path down the mountain very muddy and slippery. It became a great exercise in community, getting everyone down the mountain safely. We all survived, albeit wet and muddy.
Down the road in the community of Los Angeles, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch and show with all the families in this region. The mothers worked all day yesterday and from 3 a.m. to prepare all the food and the hall for this special occasion.
December 3, 2009 at 2:27 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 2 comments
Bob’s travel notes to Chile
Mission awareness trip to Chile
Oct. 24 – Nov. 1, 2009
I’m told that the word “Chile” means “land where the earth ends.” Staff reports that Chile is considered “First in Inequity” in Latin America, with 42 percent of resources owned by less than 10 percent of the people. There are so many marginalized families, whose only shelter is a one-room wooden structure. A recurring theme is violence to women and children. Our CFCA families strive to make it on very modest income. According to staff, 70 percent of mothers in the Chile project are single heads of family.
A day with our sponsored elderly
CFCA currently serves 566 aging sponsored friends in subproject D. Most live precariously in houses constructed with nontraditional materials. Some of them rent a room in another family’s home. Only six live in homes for the elderly. The aging sponsored friends receive a $103 monthly subsidy from the Chilean government. However, the money is not enough to cover basic needs such as nutrition and clothing. CFCA provides daily breakfast, lunch and snacks for them at Casa de Día, a facility attached to the Valparaiso project office.
Bob serenades the sponsored aging during lunch.
At the Claretian Sisters facility at El Cerro El Litre, the elderly can attend different kinds of workshops. Every year, the subproject offers a field trip to give them the opportunity to share their talents and stories, and also just to have a fun time.
Testimony of Maria Cena, a 14-year participant in the program: “My dream as a girl was to have loving parents, and I achieved it. I’m also grateful for excellent teachers and social workers. At age 80, I now play guitar and sing in our choir.”
Free clinics serve health needs
After sightseeing in Valparaiso, the group visited Consultorio de Salud las Cañas. Consultorios de Salud are free health clinics created by the Chilean health system to serve the less fortunate. Valparaíso has 13 consultorios in the hills of the city. About 11,000 people benefit from the services. Not only do these clinics provide medical and dental care to our sponsored children and aging, but they also make CFCA aware of other families that could benefit from the sponsorship program.
Sister Sara at the El Litre CFCA facility devotes herself to the aging and to the most rejected street people of Valparaiso. Their source of warmth at night is the dogs with which they sleep. Relying completely on God’s providence, her team of volunteers provides lunch each day for more than 100 people on the street. She receives donations of food and clothing.
Key programs for women
The training program was created in 1992 to help the mothers of sponsored children learn skills that would allow them to save money and increase the household income. The program holds workshops in tailoring, weaving and hairdressing, and provides supplies, transportation costs and child care for participating mothers. Every year, around 230 mothers benefit from the training program.
The CFCA’s Women’s Program was created in 1993 to provide a space for the mothers to be better informed about domestic violence and its impact on their relationship with their children. The program offers workshops on self-esteem, child-mother relationships and formation for all members of the family. Around 200 people per year attend the workshops.
The fishermen and women of La Caleta
La Caleta de Pescadores Portales Valparaíso is the biggest fishing cove in the region. Approximately 200 families make their living from the fishing activities here. Family fishing is not only a dangerous job, but it also presents big challenges, such as a lack of government assistance, climate changes, high cost of gasoline and overwhelming competition from the commercial fishing industry. Here, fishing is done both with nets and hooks. Some of the sponsored children’s mothers work in this cove as fishhook baiters.
Don Juan, head of the fishermen’s union, explains in Spanish and good English the life and lore of family fishing in Chile.
Indigenous roots
Cabildo, one of the communities served by subproject RUR, earned its name from the indigenous people known as Cabildos. Subproject RUR was created in 2001 to serve the rural communities of the Valparaíso region. This is the biggest subproject of the Valparaíso project with 1,258 children and 116 aging. The mid-sized Las Cenizas copper mine in Cabildo is owned by Chilenos who are seriously working on minimizing ecological impact of the mine.
Thank you for joining us in this wonderful experience! Cristina and I are looking forward to a couple of days “on the farm” in San Lucas before heading for Costa Rica on Nov. 7. We shall be with you in spirit, song and prayer.
God’s blessings,
Bob Hentzen
November 4, 2009 at 12:18 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 1 comment
Bob’s notes – Visit to India
Mission awareness trip to India
Oct. 2-13, 2009
The drought this year and just recently the worst flooding in 100 years have caused serious problems for families such as father Narsing, mother Radhika , their 7-year-old sponsored daughter, Archana, and her 5-year-old brother, Pradeep. They plant mainly rice on a 3-acre plot. The family also cares for the grandparents. We are indeed honored to be associated with this beautiful family.
At the inauguration of the CFCA Community Centre in Balanagar Zone-Subproject JGG, we enjoyed a large fiesta. Sponsors handed out Christmas presents. Especially impactful for the sponsors were the 100 or so sponsored girls living at the Divine Word Home. Just a short time ago, they were the throwaway children, the rag pickers in the garbage dumps of Hyderabad. They not only know their sponsor’s name, they also know their CFCA ID number.
After telling us her sponsor’s name, Veronica said:
“Our golden age began when Mr. Prakash and Mr. Suresh visited us in August 2002. They saw our poverty and our need. Soon CFCA started to look for sponsors. This has helped us leave our rag picking. Now we are attending a prestigious English medium school. We promise you that we will remember you always in our prayers and that we will make good use of this precious chance you are giving us … so that we will be able to help others as you help us today.”
What it’s all about
At our project in Hyderabad, mothers of sponsored children are taking leadership roles to help their families and communities. More than 600 mothers groups and 10,000 members help manage and operate CFCA programs in Hyderabad and outlying areas. Mothers groups join with social workers to assess needs and design benefit plans. Besides giving mothers a voice in the sponsorship program, the groups help raise the status of women in their communities. Savings plans and low-cost loans to fund small business startups or meet critical family needs are also part of the groups. CFCA currently impacts the lives of more than 11,500 children, youth, aging and their families here.
Visit to Subproject CCP
We heard testimony by a young woman, Jeevan, who is a former sponsored girl and now works as a professional staff nurse. Remarkably, Jeevan herself sponsors a little boy named Malesh. Jeevan is Catholic and Malesh is Hindu. We also heard a high-energy speech by a mother who, before CFCA involvement, was so shy she could not leave her house. Now she is more confident and very active in her mothers group.
Janagam subproject
In Addabata village, I was able to visit my own sponsored child, Archana, together with her mom, dad and little brother. They are a young farm family struggling first with drought and now with flooding. They traveled the 5 kilometers (3 miles) from their home to the main highway on their aging scooter.
After lunch at the major seminary, we visited the 37 aging and 56 children at the leper colony at Karunapuram. The enthusiasm of these lepers and recovering lepers is inspiring—reminds me of recently canonized St. Damien of Molokai.
Visit to CFCA Project Warangal
The Warangal project has started to form mothers groups and at present, there are 65 groups. They have monthly meetings to discuss topics like health, cleanliness, livelihood programs, developing kitchen gardens, children’s education and community activities. Each mother deposits 50 rupees (about $1) into an account every month and CFCA matches that amount. The buildup of these funds will allow the mothers to obtain micro-credit loans from the group in the future.
Gratitude
I’m looking forward now to our board formation day and regular October board meeting. Following the board meeting, I will meet my wife, Cristina, in Guatemala, and we will head for the mission awareness trip in Chile. Before signing off, I want to say that I am deeply grateful to have shared parts of this India trip with Ilene and Sara from CFCA’s International Department in Kansas City.
God’s blessings,
Bob Hentzen
October 19, 2009 at 2:32 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 1 comment
Bob’s notes – visit to Bolivia
Mission awareness trip
Aug. 30 – Sept. 7, 2009
It’s a pleasure to share with you the experience of this mission awareness trip and the growth and excitement of CFCA Bolivia.
As background, the population of Bolivia is two-thirds indigenous—the highest proportion in the hemisphere. Evo Morales won presidential elections in December 2005, the first indigenous Bolivian to do so. A year and a half later, a draft constitution giving more rights to the indigenous majority and more autonomy to the nine states led to sometimes violent demonstrations. Among our sponsored families and especially the youth, the CFCA-lived doctrine of non-violent conflict resolution will play a key part in their attitude and behavior.
A mother’s testimony
In the Santa Cruz subproject of Los Bosques, 47 percent of the families are headed up by single mothers. A mother of five, Dominga, told us that belonging to CFCA and attending workshops on human dignity, self-confidence and conflict resolution turned her marital life around and actually brought the children’s father back home.
Home for prisoners’ children
We were privileged to spend a late afternoon and evening with the outgoing girls and boys at Hogar de la Esperanza (House of Hope). This home, dedicated to the children of prisoners, is owned by an association and run by Catholic sisters. We have 38 children sponsored in this hogar.
A tremendous refreshment
On Sept. 1 in Yapacani, we visited families who mostly live in homes made of rough-cut planks. Dads work hard in the fields. The sponsored families are deeply grateful.
Later in the day, we stepped into the cool and moderately lit parish church and found ourselves in the midst of a full orchestra and chorale made up of children and teens—with about half identified by their shirts as being sponsored in CFCA. The music, except for the Star Spangled Banner sung in English, was classical.
After the formal concert, the show continued outside on the basketball court with snacks and lots of dancing with the sponsored aging. My partner, Dona Isabel, had obviously worked hard all her life. She threw me around the dance court like a feather.
By land to Cochabamba
On Friday morning in subproject Sacaba, my group visited Dona Tomasa—an ailing grandmother who never attended a single day of school. Yet Dona Tomasa and her husband, Roberto, strive each day to raise and educate Brian, 10, Christian, 12, Norma, 15, and a fourth young girl who was in school. Only Brian and Christian are sponsored. Dona Tomasa spoke of what a fine student Norma has become. Norma spoke of her aspirations to study medicine, and sponsor Jane Kinney-Knotek offered to sponsor Norma.
Youth group impresses
At subproject Pucarita Chica in the afternoon, we were all tremendously impressed by the 50 or so sponsored teens assembled for a meeting. They invited the sponsors to their meeting. Martin, a CFCA scholar, communications major and group facilitator, was able to establish a good interchange between the youth and sponsors. I really felt a sense of “brimming with potential” in these teens.
From Cochabamba to La Paz
About an hour out of Cochabamba, we began our ear-popping climb. Eufronia Taquichiri, aide-coordinator of subproject Melga, Cristina and I traveled with Don Pablo in a Toyota van, which negotiated the mountain roads very well.
Our gathering at subproject Alto Pampahasi took place on a sun-baked, outdoor basketball court, packed with children, families, teens and the sponsored elderly.
I spoke with a young Aymara mother of four small children who was recently abandoned by their father. She earns a little money by washing clothes in the neighborhood and expressed great gratitude for the sponsorship of two of her children. I am told that 80 percent of the mothers in this area are heads of households but also that 80 percent of the parents in a nearby subproject now can read and write thanks to CFCA classes.
Subproject San Martin de Porres
We have been working in this neighborhood in the southern part of El Alto since 2000. We have 167 children sponsored, about equally divided between girls and boys. This figure is significant because a great number of the families had to move from rural Aymara areas, where boys were favored in opportunities to study. Life is challenging here. For the mothers, small incomes are generated by washing clothes and street vending—mainly food items and sale of macramé. For the dads, the work consists mostly of construction help and temporary day labor. They are all deeply grateful for the CFCA presence.
Bolivia has begun a Children/Youth Congress. One of our sponsored girls, Laura, 11, has been elected by her peers and teachers to represent the children of El Alto at this congress. She attributes her successes in life to her family, teachers, sponsors and CFCA.
On to Brazil
Cristina and I have been very fortunate to obtain visas for Brazil at the Consulado here in La Paz. They are quite strict about the requirements but, fortunately, we had everything in order. To scout the roads and conditions for my walk, we will drive the 637 miles from Santa Cruz to the Brazilian border at Corumba. There we will be met by the CFCA team from Mineiros, who will accompany us to visit the projects in Mineiros and Cipauba. Thank you for being with our mission awareness trip groups in solidarity and prayer.
God’s blessings,
Bob Hentzen
September 16, 2009 at 1:53 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 2 comments
Bob’s notes – visit to Nicaragua
Mission awareness trip to Nicaragua
Aug. 15-22, 2009
Ever since I visited the Christian Brothers in Bluefields in 1961, I have regarded Nicaragua as a country of poets, musicians, artists, gentle people and good baseball players. I am delighted that we are able to work with and walk with close to 10,000 Nicaraguan families. We also work with a large number of Nicaraguan refugees in Costa Rica. I am privileged to be on this trip, and I look forward to our walk through Nicaragua in 2010.
Listening to Nicaraguan staff
Even though about half our group got to the Palmera Retreat House quite late last night, we were all up bright and early this Sunday morning for prayer and orientation. We reflected on
1 Corinthinthians: “Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting.”
A good breakfast featuring gallo pinto (rice and beans) sent us on our way north 2.5 hours to the subproject in San Lorenzo.
San Lorenzo
The families of the 316 sponsored children and 15 aging appreciate the program very much.
Ariel
Ariel’s testimonial is an example of this gratitude: “I am the son of humble parents. I have been sponsored since 2007. I am in my first year of secondary education. In order to reach school, I have to walk one half hour and ride a bus another half hour. My dream is to become a professional in order to serve my community, without neglecting the parents who have given me life.”
We have been moving…
Monday found us visiting the subprojects in Chinandega and Tuesday in Leon. On Wednesday, we visited the areas of Masaya and Granada, and on Thursday … on to the the city dump area of Acahualinca. CFCA began serving in the Acahualinca neighborhood nine years ago.
This is a sponsored family of 12 children in Acahualinca neighborhood—9 children and parents in the photo. Working hard, they struggle to make it on about $3 per day total income.
There are so many stories of inspiration in this neighborhood. On the part mothers and grandmothers, I would call it heroism. We have three children sponsored in a family of 12 (ages 8 months to 17 years). The father, Juan, 45, works as a helper in a restaurant at the Oriental Market, earning the equivalent of US$100 per month. The mother, Leticia, also worked at a restaurant until the birth of their newest baby. They face the harsh reality of sometimes not being able to make ends meet, but harboring in their hearts great love and a drive for self-improvement that encourages them to keep trying. They are a united and loving family, who show qualities of responsibility and honesty. We are honored to have the family as part of our CFCA family in Nicaragua.
Shortening distances
We spent this beautiful day in Project Masaya, celebrating Mass with sponsored families and staff. A cultural program followed, featuring poems and folk dances. One poem written by famed Cuban poet Jose Marti and recited by 9-year-old Laura stole the show:
“Cultivo una rosa Blanca
En junio como enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me das su mano franca.
Y para el cruel que arranca
El Corazon con que vivo,
Cardo ni ortiga cultivo;
Cultivo la rosa blanca.”
“I cultivate a white rose
In June and January as well
For the sincere friend
Who offers me his honest hand.
And for the cruel person who rips out
The heart with which I live,
I cultivate neither thistle nor nettle;
I cultivate a white rose.”
Visits to families resulted in the shortening of distances between sponsors and children and the sponsorship of one new little girl, 7-year-old Neyling. We met 10 of our scholars at the attractive CFCA center in Masaya.
We say “hasta luego” to Nicaragua with many prayers in our hearts. May the Lord bless the people of Nicaragua and our sponsored families. May the Lord bless these dear sponsors on their journey forward and in their advocacy efforts, and may the Lord bless each of you, our beloved CFCA family.
Blessings,
Bob Hentzen
August 31, 2009 at 3:42 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 2 comments
Bob’s notes – visit to Guatemala
Guatemala mission awareness trip
Aug. 1-8, 2009
A solidarity walk, including an estimated 1,500 CFCA scholars and families, took place in San Marcos two days before the arrival of the mission awareness trip group, and was televised on three local stations. The next day, the CFCA rural livelihood project turned over 75 young bulls and cows to the San Marcos mothers groups.
CFCA has two projects and 103 subprojects in Guatemala. A total of 94,500 children and aging are sponsored, plus 56 vocations candidates. Those awaiting sponsorship total 5,407.
Lots of inspiration
We are most grateful for the presence in San Lucas of the parish groups of Church of the Risen Christ, Denver, Colo., and Holy Trinity, Lenexa, Kan. A few notes shared by participants:
From Rich Swan: “Thank you, CFCA, for touching my family’s hearts. Kara and Chris are who they are partly because of our first trip back in 2003. Thank you for helping us help you to reach others at at Church of the Risen Christ and in Denver.”
Another sponsor: “We all experience God’s love in different ways. I love seeing God’s love and joy in the Guatemalan way of life.”
Another sponsor: “The experience I had with my sponsored child was amazing. It warmed my heart to see how much I mean to the family. They were so kind and respectful. I look forward to seeing them for years to come. The experience made me rethink what is important in life.”
From Ilene: “This week has been very special for me. I have been able to open myself up to be here in this place and see what is really important in this life. Thank you for a fabulous experience and thanks be to the Holy Spirit for bringing me here.”
(more…)
August 17, 2009 at 12:56 pm Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 1 comment
