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Surprise Sponsorship Match
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
By Heather Radu-
Every week you read their stories and see their faces—so precious, innocent, and in need of support. They need a home, which is what children find at Dorie’s Promise.
We are much more than an orphanage that puts a roof over their heads and feeds them three meals a day.
In our home children find love, help from trained professionals, education, and medical care. Most importantly, their Special Mothers extend emotional, physical and spiritual support.
Our sponsors and donations from friends like you have kept Dorie’s Promise going for 11 years. We praise God that we have always been able to meet children’s needs and cover operational costs.
Yet all too often that support has come through special gifts. Relying on these kinds of donations leaves us in a vulnerable position. To operate more effectively, we need stable, reliable financial funding.
Given the economy and continuing high unemployment, you may wonder how you can help. The answer: become a monthly sponsor for a child.
For $35 a month, you can make a huge impact. Right now is the perfect time because a ministry friend will MATCH each new child sponsorship between now and Dec. 31.
Of course, you aren’t limited to $35. A gift of $50 or $75—or more—will double through this matching grant. With less than 55 percent of our children covered by sponsorships, this is an incredible opportunity to make a difference.
Sponsoring a child means more than giving money, though. We hope you will give something of yourself by establishing a personal relationship.
“To see the joy and excitement of the children once they receive a letter or gift in the mail from the supporters is so touching,” says sponsorship coordinator Desi Stephens.
“It reminds us that people from the States so believe in our mission to serve the world’s forgotten children. For our children, it reinforces the idea they have value—not just because of material possessions, but through loving relationships.”
Child sponsors are valuable because they help us cover so many expenses. This program enables us to provide the services God has called us to offer so we can bring hope to a broken world.
There are several ways you can help: 1) become a sponsor, 2) if sponsoring a child, consider adding a second, 3) host a Christmas party for Dorie’s Promise; e-mail to get an instructional sheet, 4) give a one-year sponsorship as a gift. E-mail me I will help you set up this lasting gift.
Whatever you do, let us know today. The need is urgent and the time is short.
New Child Angel
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
By Ken Walker-
The newest resident of Dorie’s Promise is also the youngest in the home’s history. Angel Gabriel came to the orphanage as a three-day-old infant, born to a teenage mother who wanted to give up her child for adoption.
The story of her arrival in mid-September sounds like a suspense novel, the transfer taking place late at night on a cold, rainy evening.
An agency called PGN tried to persuade the mother to keep her baby and set up an appointment for her to talk with a social worker. Even after that meeting, the mother insisted that she would not be able to care for Angel.
In turn, the agency was able to arrange an emergency court hearing, allowing her to abandon her child to the Guatemalan court system. That afternoon Director Alejandra Diaz talked to PR Director Desi Stephens and asked if she would help PGN receive a newborn that was just brought into court.
“She shared with me that it wouldn’t be till later that evening and I told her that would not be a problem,” Desi says.
However, when Alej called at 9 o’clock to check on the situation, the baby still hadn’t arrived.
Finally, around midnight Desi met the social worker and the birth mother. As they sat in the PGN van, Desi signed the court document stating that Angel was in their custody.
“He was so tiny and precious,” Desi says. “The social worker said, ‘I know he will have a good home here and that he will be taken care of.’
“However, I will never forget the image of the birth mother, looking at me as I took the newborn away, a ghostly, haunting look on her face—as though she were numb and could not express any feelings.”
Newborns can be more challenging, since they need more attention and care, including a full medical report to make sure the child is healthy.
Still, the staff is delighted to have Angel. “I like to see that he enjoys his bath time,” says Miriam Morales, his Special Mother. “I love having him in my arms, as he is taking his bottle. He looks so peaceful. I thank God for this precious little life, and pray that God will protect him.
With Angel, there are now 37 children at the orphanage, just shy of its capacity of 40.
Supporters are asked to pray that God will continue to give Angel good health, that he will know his life has value, and that he will know God has a perfect plan for him.
“Another way our supporters can help him is by making a general donation to the home on our website,” Desi says. “Help us continue to provide the children of Guatemala with the services they need.”
Efrain has Cataract Surgery
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
By Desi Stephens-
Last week we experienced a real-life demonstration of why our campaign to raise $31,000 by Dec. 31 to adequately fund the medical program at Dorie’s Promise is so important.
Seven-year-old Efrain had surgery recently on his left eye because of cataracts. Surgeons removed the lens and anterior capsule and implanted an artificial lens. A Nov. 8 check-up showed good results.
“The surgeons see a good outcome so far,” says Dr. Francisco Castro, our medical director.
“Due to his body language, general reactions, and eye reactions, my first clinical impression is that—for the first time—Efrain is showing clear interest in his surroundings and the doctors’ and nurses’ faces.”
Not only is Efrain starting to visualize images, after a few months, Dr. Castro expects him to be healed. And, to be able to develop further skills.
“I hope he will able to manage some abstract understanding,” Dr. Castro says. “This will help him progress with personal development, even though he will still have a chromosome disorder and developmental delay.”
Mama Miriam, one of our Special Mothers, calls it “amazing” to see Efrain trying to follow lights and sounds for the first time.
“When I try to get close to him he is more alert than before,” agrees Mama Carol. “I guess it is because for the first time in his life he is seeing shapes and colors.”
Director Alejandra Diaz says there is nothing that makes her happier than knowing that Dorie’s Promise is changing lives forever.
“We just did something for Efrain that will literally change his way to see the world,” Alej says. “Is that not enough reason to keep committed and working and doing my best for all our children, every day?”
This progress cheers our hearts and shows why funding for our medical program is so vital.
The outcome of Efrain’s surgery marks the second time this fall that we have seen amazing results because of this initiative. The other was Abraham, a child who had been ill regularly since coming here last year.
Quick action by his Special Mother and Dr. Castro helped keep him breathing before he was rushed to a private hospital for treatment of pneumonia.
The question is: where would Abraham be today without this special help? We hate to think of the answer.
When considering how medical care has brightened the future for so many children, we think it offers a cost-benefit ratio that would make any business proud.
“Our supporters have been so generous in the past,” says founder Heather Radu. “I am confident they will again help us meet this needs with special gifts.”
If you can help, click here “Give Today”.
New Pila in the Dump – Family Thrilled!
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
By Desi Stephens
Last week I wrote about the partnership Dorie’s Promise has with Safe Passage, a group providing education and social services to hundreds of children.
One of the many stories that has arisen from this partnership is the pila—a water station—that one of our mission teams installed for a poor family living near the city dump.
The team consisted primarily of teens from the youth group at Central Church of the Nazarene in Flint, Michigan. They got connected to us through fellow member Cinda Rachor, one of our board members now in the process of adopting a girl from us.
This particular family sorts through garbage to find paper, plastic bottles, tin and other items that they can sell to different vendors.
The team met them after starting their day with representatives from Safe Passage. Installing the pila brought the mission volunteers considerable rewards.
“I was personally blessed by helping them and seeing their faces after we put it in their house,” Jeff Glitz says.
“The joy they expressed over just having something to keep water in to wash their clothing and dishes just made my day.”
C.J. Pettus says the experience opened her eyes to a lifestyle that she couldn’t imagine living. Yet the people they helped were amazing, she says.
“We only had a simple water station to give them, but they gave us so much love,” says C.J. “I can say that some of the most gracious hosts I have ever had came from an unexpected location. Meeting them showed me the importance of relationships instead of objects.”
Mission Coordinator Joel Juarez says the pila proved to be a great happiness for the family.
Their old pila had broken and all the water flooded their work area, sometimes spoiling the paper they collect.
“It is very useful for them, especially for their daughter because she can wash her clothes and all the dishes from the family,” Joel says. “The new pila is something very special.”
The family appreciates more than the water station, though. They love the mission team visits, the food they receive weekly, and the clothing that some teams have brought them, he says.
Helping poor families in the community not only expands the work Dorie’s Promise does, it has been an eye-opener for Joel.
“My life will never be the same,” Joel says. “It is easy to walk close to these areas and shrug, ‘poor people.’ But being with them, getting to know them and their stories, and learning about their dreams make me feel God is giving me an opportunity to do something for them.
“My life has been forever changed. God has shown me things that are really important, like family values, and to appreciate what we have. Because people living in bad conditions are thankful with what they have.”
Medical Care Campaign
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
By Desi Stephens-
Two months ago we carried a report about the medical care offered under the direction of Dr. Francisco Castro. Dorie’s Promise recently announced a campaign to raise just over $32,000 by the end of 2011 for our medical program.
The reason is a decline in the general donations that are used to cover Dr. Castro’s salary, a nurse, equipment, hospital visits, and prescription medications.
“That may sound like a lot but when you break it down it is only about $73 per child each month to make sure all our children are receiving the best medical care possible,” says founder Heather Radu. “Our supporters have been so generous in the past that I am asking them to again consider a special gift.”
Guatemala continues to be a dangerous place to live, especially for children growing up as orphans. Some frightening statistics: a child is abandoned in Guatemala City every four days, more than 10 children die each week as a result of violence, and the nation has
an infant mortality rate of 36 percent.
Unlike the United States, there are few programs in Guatemala that provide quality medical care for children. That means it is expensive to visit the doctor or go to a hospital.
In addition, at public hospitals doctors are not able to provide quality care. Many children who go for simple illnesses do not always survive.
The hiring of Dr. Castro has its roots in a 2008 tragedy. A severe outbreak of Rotarius infection swept through Dorie’s Promise. More than 60 children became ill and were hospitalized. Though we worked hard to assure everyone recovered, we lost a child during this horrible outbreak.
“When that happened, I knew we needed to have a full-time doctor here on site,” Heather says. “We are responsible for too many children not to have a medical doctor always available to us.”
The value of having Dr. Castro on staff became quite apparent during September. Little Abraham has been consistently ill since he came to live with us last year. One night his Special Mother realized he was having trouble breathing and contacted the doctor.
Within 20 minutes Dr. Castro arrived to examine Abraham, who had a high fever and a terrible case of pneumonia.
Dr. Castro used our oxygen unit to help him breathe and then rushed him to a private hospital. Because of the physician’s actions, little Abraham is alive today.
This is a serious need. Imagine all the doctor visits you have for just one child—then multiply that by 40. Can you help? Click on the “Give Today” link above and then “Give a special gift for the ministry.”
If you can make a donation, it will be appreciated by every child who relies on our care to make it through his or her formative years.
Newest Child Diego
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
By Desi Stephens-
The newest child at Dorie’s Promise came to us Sept. 5 from sad circumstances. We aren’t sure, but we think Diego de Jesus is about 13 months old. We will obtain further information at a court hearing in January.
Diego’s mother was homeless when she gave birth and unable to properly care for him. Finally, she left her son with a former neighbor.
The woman explained to police and a social worker that she couldn’t care for the child either because of her struggles with various health issues. In addition, she said his medical expenses were beyond her budget and she hoped the court could help find him a family.
While this little boy may come from a deprived background, he has been welcomed to our home with open arms! Our Special Mothers are always thrilled when we receive a new child. Each one is a reminder why we continue to serve the people of Guatemala— particularly the most vulnerable.
“Diego was so shy, sad and cried a lot,” says Ismalde Sumale, the Special Mother who has been caring for Diego. “It is amazing how his life changed in one week. He has a clean, comfortable bed, food and the most important thing—love. He is happier now and smiles a lot. He is comfortable with the home and the personnel.”
Though initially kept in an isolation room because of our house rules, Diego already identifies with Ismalde and loves spending time with her.
Sadly, it is common for our orphanage and others in our region to receive children under circumstances where economic resources are lacking. In some parts of Guatemala families face the reality of not being able to feed their children on a daily basis.
A diverse city, Guatemala City has many people living on the margins. Small, locally- owned businesses struggle to survive amid wealthier, overseas investors establishing their influence over the market.
The addition of Diego gives us 37 children in houses 5 and 6. Though as an organization we have the financial resources to operate with 40, one of our biggest needs is for people willing to sponsor a child (go to the sponsorship tab on this site.)
We rely on missions and child sponsorship to continue providing our children with everything they need to grow up into the people God created them to be.
To our supporters: please pray that God will help Diego make a successful transition into Dorie’s Promise. Although he seems to be adjusting and enjoys playing with other children, it is always a shock to a new child coming into an orphanage. Pray that Diego will feel safe and special.
Thriving After Leaving Dorie’s Promise
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
By Ken Walker-
The mothers of two children who left Dorie’s Promise last spring say they are thriving in their new surroundings, adapting to their extended families, and starting preschool this fall.
After a gradual transition to his new home and a different language, Evan Alejandro Anderson started preschool this week in the system where his mother, Laura, works as an occupational therapist.
Laura and her husband, Scott, waited three years before their first child finally arrived in Rochester Hills, Michigan last April.
However, Laura says the delay proved to be worth it. Traveling to Guatemala 14 times to see Alejandro, they got to know the staff and appreciate the role they played in starting him toward a fulfilling life.
“It’s an absolute miracle,” she says of their son’s long-awaited arrival. “We always knew God would come through.”
Paul Kvinta and his wife, Becky Kurtz, are also full of joy after waiting for more than three years before Nubia Marcela arrived at their home in Washington, D.C. last May.
“Marcela is loving life in the big city,” says Becky, who works for the federal government.
“Among her favorite things are the elephants at the zoo, the butterflies and dinosaurs in the National History Museum, and the carousel on the National Mall.”
Like Alejandro, Marcela will attend preschool this fall after a fun-filled summer. In recent months the Kurtzes have visited playgrounds, swimming pools and the beach. On visits to North Carolina and Texas, Marcela met all of her aunts, uncles and cousins.
“She really treasures spending time with her extended family,” Becky says. “They all warmly welcomed her.”
Laura is especially pleased with the way her large extended family has welcomed Alejandro, and the way she believes his story will shine a light on God.
“They felt like they knew him through pictures and videos, but to meet him and play with him is huge,” Laura says. “People have said, ‘To see you remain faithful for so long has touched me.’
“I’m so thankful for the Special Mothers at Dorie’s Promise,” Laura adds. “I knew he was loved, hugged, fed and allowed to grow. To watch him flourish now is amazing. He knows how to spell his name, where he lives and wants to know everything.”
Becky has similar feelings, saying because of the wait, they feel more connected to people at the home and other places in Guatemala.
“Marcela is a wonderful little girl,” she says. “The best part is just all being together. We both love it when she crawls into our bed in the morning, puts her arms both of our necks and proclaims, ‘la familia!’ It’s hard to beat that joyful expression of belonging and love.”
New Teacher
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
By Desi Stephens-
We were thrilled to welcome a new teacher to Dorie’s Promise in mid-August.
Ana Lucia Padilla Fernandez is a native of Guatemala. In recent years she has taught a variety of subjects to children of all ages.
“I firmly believe that as God’s instrument, He places you where you can make a good change,” she says. “I want to be where I can touch lives and complement His perfect work. Children are not just ‘the future,’ they are the seed of hope. They can be guided to be lights or corrupted. The choice is up to us.”
Ana earned her teacher’s certificate in 1997 at the Monte Maria School, operated by the Maryknoll Sisters. After that, she studied architecture for two years and soc
ial communication for three years at the Universidad Rafael Landivar.
Among her many experiences is teaching English to children from 2 to 11 years old. Ana also taught fourth and fifth grade students the subjects of math, science, social studies, Spanish and art.
In 2006 she joined the social welfare secretariat of the presidency, where she helped support government homes by working with boys and girls ages 13 to 17.
At Dorie’s Promise she will helping preschoolers prepare them for their formal education, and assisting other children with their homework.
Although the school year ends in mid-October, Ana has prepared an 
educational plan that runs until December. She believes in a unified educational method that will help children develop necessary learning skills.
“Having a teacher means following a specific educational line,” she says. “Everyone using the same approach—including volunteers—provides more mental stability. If the children receive different methods and ways of learning, they won’t develop the
necessary skills and logic they need to respond to specific situations.”
Ana also plans to help improve internal communications and socialization of each child, the latter through setting goals and helping them where needed.
A single mother who calls her kids “my treasures,” Ana sings in her church’s choir. She loves to write and take pictures; she was a professional photographer for two years. She also likes organizing events and managing social networks.
The thing that impresses Ana most about our orphanage is the stories of each child.
“They didn’t have the best beginning in life,” she says. “But they do have the advantage of sharing a big, clean love with everyone.
“They all deserve the best chance to grow as loved kids, sons and daughters.”
Welcome, Ana. We’re glad you’re here.
Healing Hand, Healing Hearts
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
By Desi Stephens-
One of the most vital elements of the program offered at Dorie’s Promise is the medical care provided for children under the direction of Dr. Francisco Castro.
A pediatrician for 30 years, Dr. Castro earned his medical degree at the University of San Carlos and has done post-graduate work and taught in Guatemala and England.
“I base my professional practice and life on Christian and bio-ethical principles,” he says. “I always wanted to work for poor and defenseless children—and now I have the opportunity.”
He says health treatment is always a concern with children, but especially those at our homes because they come from a deprived background.
The most frequent illnesses Dr. Castro encounters are bronchitis and rhinitis, upper and lower respiratory viral infections, gastronintestinal problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin problems.
Before arriving at Dorie’s Promise, a few of the children develop obesity and dental problems. The current challenge Dr. Castro and his team face is helping each child recuperate from existing situations as quickly as possible so the children can attain high health status.
Dr. Castro defines that as reaching an appropriate equilibrium between life’s four primary aspects: biological, psychological, social and spiritual.
“We assess every child’s growth and development and watch it regularly,” he says. “Preventive measures are a priority. When a child becomes ill he or she is diagnosed as quickly as possible and treated to avoid further complications and risks.”
Most children who come to Dorie’s Promise are suffering from different illnesses. Many stem from poverty, such as poor hygiene, lack of nutrition and affection, or abuse. Some suffer from respiratory or skin problems, or gastrointestinal disorders.
However, good medical care resolves many of them and we are able to see our contributions make a difference in their lives.
“This unique opportunity to serve forgotten children makes us grateful to God,” Dr. Castro says. “We feel contentment, satisfaction and the determination to continue fighting to achieve excellence in our system of care.”
The doctor notes that children are particularly vulnerable since their immune systems are not fully developed, making them prone to allergies and infections.
Among the many joys he has seen in treating medical problems are children experiencing breakthroughs with syphilis, symptoms of HIV, and psychological traumas from sexual, emotional or physical abuse.
“Pray for God to give us wisdom and strength to achieve our aims and purposes— especially to imitate Christ,” Dr. Castro says.
This compassion shows how the kind of care and treatment offered at Dorie’s Promise goes deeper than a stethoscope.