January News from Families at the Dump Families of Esperanza
January 23, 2012

Families of Esperanza looks forward to an exciting 2012 as we recap the last 2 months of 2011!

We are pleased to announce that we have received the permits to commence the construction of the housing project.

In 2006, the vision of the mission Families at the Dump was to remove all families/children from living in the Vallarta City Dump while walking with them on their journey to independence and self-sufficiency.

The mission statement included a Holistic approach in assisting the families on this journey. Providing Medical, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual and Educational support over the past 6 years, along with programs/services such as English/computer, kinder, daycare, lunch program, activity room, food handouts and water while recycling have contributed to improving their daily lives.

Also through the support of donors to the School Sponsorship Program, the mission has ensured that 250 children yearly are receiving a Public School Education.

The mission has been supported and awarded by IJAS, the group that governs local charitable organizations in Vallarta. The mission also works closely with the municipal government in power to ensure a healthier, safer working environment for the recyclers.

As we enter the next 4/5 years of the mission, you will see more focus on Education and Life Skills. Preparing the families who will enter this "unprecedented project" will be a priority over the next year. Taking a family from severe poverty to a life style far from their normal will take education and support. We look forward to accepting applications, explaining the expectations and regulations and then working with those families who want to improve the lives of this generation of children.

Families of Esperanza Mission Statement 2012

Families of Esperanza will provide a clean and safe environment for parents and their children as mandated under the Mexican Civil Code, which states: "All children have the right to a proper home, nutrition, health care and education."

The goal of this project is to move the children in the mission past the current dependency on the city dump to provide for their future families. They will have the opportunity to become valuable contributors to society. We have potential Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers and Small Business owners amongst our English and Computer classes right now. We look forward to giving them this opportunity of a lifetime! The face of the mission is changing and we invite you to continue with us on this journey.

Over the past 6 years life has improved greatly for the recyclers, there are very few people in need of regular food assistance. The reality is they can feed themselves. Their needs are in the area of education assistance, emergency medical care and proper living conditions.

For generations, these families have been living a very "in the moment" lifestyle. This means they have not learned the life skills to think past today, to plan for the future. Money management budgeting classes will become part of the preparation for the housing project, as well as assistance with small business to empower them to provide for their families apart from recycling in the city dump.

Every family in the mission is welcome who wants to change the lives of their children and embrace the education opportunities that will be given them. We are hopeful that as this "unprecedented project" progresses, those waiting and watching will also realize the potential for their children.

We invite you along on this exciting journey!

If you would like to support the construction costs/furnishing of a home and follow that families' journey over the next several years, please contact us at info@familiesatthedump.org.

  Learn about Families at the Dump