Hearts In Motion

Farewell Party

2009-05-11T07:23:00.001-07:00

On Mother’s Day, we had a farewell party at the HIM house for Lauren inviting all 42 of the sponsored children and their families. After spending 10 months in Guatemala as a volunteer for Hearts In Motion, Lauren set up a sponsorship program for the children in our local daycares, helping them towards a life with an education and hope for the future. Her time has come to an end in Guatemala and she will be missed. She also will miss the wonderful people she has had the chance to meet and that have blessed her life. Check out the pictures from this fun-filled party that was accompanied by an abundance of love!

Yeiner & Widman coloring

Randil & Yeiner (Brothers)

Eddison and Diana

David with the pinata

The festivities continue

Damaris at bat...

Katherin the hard hitter

Go Narlin Go!

Anderson's brother gets a turn

Sergio's not to sure about all this.

The mask man (someone's brother)

Jason's brother

Mishell the power house.

The mob

It was insane to say the least...

Food ready and set out

The race to the food

Ubaldo getting ready to eat

Julio translating my tearful speech.

Tears of thanks and an unbelievable amount of love!

Maria's giving a beautiful speech of thanks.

Hugs & Love

Giving pictures

Jason waiting for his picture

Gifts, friends, and love

Having some words with a little one

A hug with Lusvin's grandmother

Hugs and kisses to Victor

Victor & his mom

Guadalupe and her mother

Diana and her mother

Dulce Maria, Joana, Tatiana, their mom and cousin

Mishell and her family

Jason & Amanda

Abel, Ubaldo, Sergio with their parents

The 3 teachers from Estanzuela

Gloria, Alis, and Klarita

Absolutely wonderful women and teachers.

Viviana and Moises

She was the teacher at Winnie-The-Pooh.

She has a huge heart and has been wonderful helping with this program.

Kimberly and Amanda (cousins)

Myra and David

Andrea and her family

Lusvin and his Grandmother, Catalina (Maria's Mother)

Little Miss Marilyn

Randil and Yeiner

Aldrin and his mother

Jason and his mother.

By the way Linda & Glenn, she wsa very disappointed she didn't meet you when you came for a visit. They now have a picture of you though!

Joel and his family

Damaris and her mother

Mayerly and mother and sister

Kimberly and Narlin (sisters)

Victor and his sister, Boin

Darlin and family

Sonia, her mother and 2 month old sister

Tatiana and Marilyn

Diego

Lupe

Maria and her family who all have been priceless marvelous helps with this program.

A huge thank you to Maria for all her help with the children, to Gabby for being an excellent tour guide to the other children's houses and to Oswaldo and Jose for being cute!

All the gift that were so generous and thoughtful! None of which were neseccary.

"A beautiful party! I cannot thank everyone enough for making this possible. Julio and Luis for picking all the families up at the schools. Kara for helping clean, decorate and give clothing, Barb for takign pictures, Norma, Leslie and Vivian for making the food, and all the teachers and mothers who have done such a marvelous job raising and teaching these children! It's been a pleasure working with all of you! I will miss and love each and every one of you!"

-Lauren Patterson

Ubaldo Meeting His Sponsor

2009-05-08T10:25:00.001-07:00

Ubaldo's sponsor's mother sent a card down sending her love and introducing herself to him. Before Barbara had the chance to meet Ubaldo, Julio read and delivered the card from her mom. A few weeks later we took Barb out to meet Ubaldo and his family. She gave him gifts, hugs and most importantly, LOVE. Though Barb speaks next to no spanish, they communicated just fine. Ubaldo actually taught her a few words in spanish. Take a look at Barb's priceless experience!
Words cannot express how fotunate this family is to have Barb as a new part of their family. She has been unbelievably generous and has such a big heart! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Barb for everything you have done for Ubaldo and his family!

Julio reads Ubaldo his card from "Grandma"

Barbara delivering her presents and LOVE...

Ubaldo with his arms full

Coloring together

Barb showing Ubaldo a video of himself. As you can see, it was quite a hit!

Water gun time

Two beautiful people united forever!

Almost the whole family

Kisses of thanks!

Thank you again Barb for your continued love and support to this family!

They are fortunate to have you in their lives!

Giving Baskets

2009-05-08T08:12:00.001-07:00

Last week, Kara and Lauren went shopping for the 13 families of the children that attend Maria's daycare. These are the children that are currently there. They did not need uniforms made for school, so instead we bought each family a basket full of toilet paper, rice, beans, sugar, salt, maseca (tortilla mix), soap, oil, a dish rag, a sponge, incaparina (a milk powder for the children), and degergent to wash their clothes. After buying, we sorted, then delivered. Below are pictures of the entire process. The best part are the smiles as a result! Thank you for your support.

Lauren at checkout.

Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of our heaping carts.

The checkout process

Kara and the 2 kind men from the store that helped load the 4-Runner and Lauren

The baskets ready to deliver

Victor & Edison really excited to receive their baskets

Kara giving Victor's mother her basket.

For a mother that makes $34/month, this basket is a huge deal!

Edison's mother with her basket

Damaris and her mother

Marilyn with her brother. Though their mother was not there, as she gets home very late from work, I'm sure she was very thankful. Marilyn certainly was excited.

Marilyn and her brother with Lauren

Yeiner, Randy and their mother

Tatiana with little sister Joana - thrilled!

Dulce Maria, Tatiana, Joana, and their mother with Lauren

Blanca - Ubaldo, Abel & Sergio's mother receiving her basket.

Without telling the whole story, this basket came at a perfect time for this family. They almost lost their home due to buying groceries on credit and owing a neighbor about $200 dollars. In return, he took the papers to their house if they didn't pay. A very kind and generous person was not going to let that happen, so they paid the money and cleared the debt for this family.

Damaris and her family

Fernanda's mother, along with all the local girls coming to help deliver the basket.

Once again, a lucky experience for Kara and Lauren, however, this would have never been possible without the help and support from all of you. They were told these baskets were from their sponsors in the United States and that puts a smile on each one of their faces

Delivering Packages

2009-04-23T12:15:00.001-07:00

The best part of my job is going and delivering gifts to the children. It's the part that makes me think of all of you, it's the part that makes me smile (actually, that's usually all the time), and it's the part that the children LOVE! Here is a glimpse into what it's like being the one getting the hugs and hearing the little voices saying "gracias." They should be given to each of you, so I will try my best to pass them your way! Thank all of you for allowing me to receive even more hugs than I already do, :) and of course for your continued support and gifts!

Sonia receiving her special present!

Thank you Devon for your thoughtfulness!

Amanda's Lucky Day!

When we pulled up to her house, she went running to get her cousin, thinking she was getting a delivery since that is what happened last time. When she found out it was for her, she was ecstatic

Thank you Jim & Nancy for making her day!

Randy's day of fame!

He was surrounded by so may friends when we delivered his package, we joked that he was going to be the most popular kid in town for the next week.

Thank you Doug and Family for your generosity!

Mishell meeting her sponsors!

Thank you Todd & Kelly for having the hearts you do!

Kevin's packaged delivered!

Thank you Eva for your unbelievable thoughtfulness!

Katherin's time to remember!

She met her sponsor earlier in the year and was sent pictures of the 2 of them being silly!

Thank you Kent for sharing your life and love with Katherin!

Andrea's patient wait has paid off!

After trying to deliver her package once and forgetting to take it the second time, we finally made her day on the 3rd attempt. She assured us it was well worth the wait! Aftereach item she pulled out of the bag, she would get a huge smile, look at us and say "Gracias!"

Thank you Eva for blessing her life!

Joel meeting his Sponsors through a picture!

Thank you Donna for your love and support!

Sending packages

2009-04-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in sending a package to your sponsored child, it is very welcome and absolutely possible. We ask that you send your package to the Hearts In Motion office in Indiana. There have been several emails about ideas of items you might inlcude in your package. Of course it is up to you what you wish to include. Some people have included gifts both big and small for other family members. This is a generous act, welcomed, but not a must. If you need ideas here are a few: Clothes, shoes, hair accessories, tooth brushes & paste, stuffed animals, books in spanish, coloring books, crayons or markers, do-it-yourself craft projects, toys (cars, balls, action figures, etc), underwear, learning items, socks, etc. We ask that when sending a package you try and include a mix of items. Such as toys accompanied by hygiene products and/or learning items. These children and families are thankful for anything and everything they receive. Thank you for your support and generous gifts!

Daniel Meeting his Sponsor

2009-04-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

Jan had the rewarding experience of meeting her sponsored child in March and what a sight to watch. The excitement, joy, love, smiles, hugs and tears were so overwhelmingly powerful! It's a true gift to have the opportunity to create a relationship seperated by language, land, water, and money. Feeling so very close to an individual, having never met them, but knowing what an impact you are having on their life is priceless... especially once you get the opportunity to meet them in person!

Share in Jan's experience of meeting Daniel through her words and pictures.

"Daniel - Kids are very special no matter where they live! Daniel is one of those really special kids that have come into my life and my grandchildrens' lives. At Christmas time his sponsorship was a gift to my grandchildren. I was able to meet him when I was in Guatemala in March. Part of my mission was to bring pictures and stories back home with me. Daniel lives on a beautiful mountain with his family. His family includes his mother, grandmother, older brother and younger sister. I was able to meet him and hug him. What an emotional experience for me. He was such a handsome boy and thrilled to meet me 'face to face' as I was to meet him. He is a very bright young man and the note he wrote me was such beautiful handwriting and so well done for a 6 year old. He was thrilled with the gifts I took and the pictures he received of my family. Daniel hopes to become a doctor and I truly hope he can accomplish that goal. Maybe the little help that we are giving him now will help him become a doctor. I have been on 4 HIM trips but this was truly the highlight of them all. Thanks to all that made Daniel and my meeting possible."
- Jan Broders

First meeting

Reading the note Daniel wrote her

Daniel opening presents

Jan introducing him to her family through photos

Daniel is now "officially" part of the family.

Presents for Daniel and his brother

Jan with Daniel's family

Tears of Joy

Saying goodbye

Meeting Daniel's grandmother as she was leaving.

Daniel is now fortunate to have a grandmother in Guatemala and one in the US.

The hike down from Daniel's home

Thank you Jan for your love, kindness and support to Daniel and his family!

David meeting his sponsor

2009-04-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

In March David had the opportunity to meet his sponsor and long time support in a different way then he had in the years past.

Scroll down and read about Leeanne's experience!

"The first time I saw David was our first trip to Guatemala with HIM in April 2006. I saw him at the hospital - he had come in for a cleft lip repair. He was one of the cutest kids I'd ever seen!! I took a great picture of him, and when I got home, I enlarged it and put it on my wall. He became my "poster boy." The following year he came back to the hospital for us to fix his cleft palate. The minute I saw him, I immediately recognized him and was very excited to see him again, and I was thrilled at how handsome he was after his lip repair!!! I took another photo of him, and put that with the first photo when I got home. Unfortunately, he got sick and we couldn't do his surgery in 2007. David returned in 2008 for his palate repair. Again, I recognized my "poster boy," hugged him and his mother, got another picture to add to my wall collection, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to assist with his surgery. Just before our HIM trip in 2009, my daughter, Lauren, in setting up the sponsorship program, called me to say that one of the children needing sponsorship looked familiar, and she thought he may have been my poster boy. She sent me pictures, and sure enough, I immediately recognized David!! Words cannot express how thrilled I was to have found him yet again, and to have the awesome opportunity to make him a long term part of our lives by sponsoring him. March 21, 2009- I had the thrilling experience to meet David (and his mom) again - only now he was our official sponsored child! A beautiful, loving, affectionate and sweet 4 year old! I got to give him simple gifts of new shoes, clothes and some toys, and he gave me the priceless gifts of warm hugs and a child's love! I hope David will forever be a part of our lives."

-Leeanne Patterson

Thank you Leeanne & Pat for your continued love and support to David and his Family!

Jason meeting his Sponsors

2009-04-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

In March, Glenn and Linda got the opportunity to go to their sponsored child's home and meet not only him, but also his family and neighbors. Here is what Linda says about the experience:

"We loved being able to meet Jason and his siblings at their home- I think it is wonderful for him to be able to have faces and words of encouragement so that he can understand how important education is. It was so cute that he was so worried about the police blockade so he was going there to help us get through- the neighbors understood how important it was for him to meet us so off they went on their motorcycle to find him- up he pulled- very clean in still pressed clothes and his hair with a little gel in it- we must be very important!!!- we played and gave him some clothes and toys along with lots of toothpaste and toothbrushes- his little brother is a pistol!! very cute with lots of personality- hopefully he will get sponsored next year so he will stay in school also- his mother was not home because she was working but that helped to confirm how important it is to sponsor Jason-"

-Linda Davis

Glenn, Jason and Linda

Jason with his new soccer ball.

Linda passing out gifts - the neighbor boys joining in on the fun.

Jason thanking Linda for the gifts.

Thanking Glenn too.

Glenn playing frisbee with the boys.

A picture with Jason and his brothers and sister.

A picture with all the neighborhood boys.

Saying goodbye.

It truly was a terrific experience watching the interactions between Jason, Glenn and Linda. Though they could hardly communicate without a translator, there was so much love in the air. What a fortunate little boy he is to have such wonderful people supporting his future!

Thank you Glenn and Linda for your continued support!

Packages for your sponsored child...

2009-02-19T09:31:00.001-08:00

If you are interested in sending your child a card, gift, pictures, etc. please feel free! We welcome all items of this sort and the children love gifts! They love pictures of their sponsored families and it makes your relationship with them more personal and real!

If you would like to send something, please send your package/card to our office in Indiana

Hearts In Motion

Sponsorship Program

attn: (child/ren's names)

3319 W. 45th Ave

Highland, In 46322

Below are pictures of Narlin receiving her first package! We will make sure they get EVERYTHING you send them! We will encourage them to write back, but there are no guarantees! You can expect a letter from them at least once every 3 months.

Please keep an eye on your email, as we will send more frequent pictures and updates through email.

Thank you again for your love and support to these children!

Her smile says it all...

THANK YOU!!!!

Delivering School Supplies

2009-02-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

The school year has begun and with your kind hearts and sponsorship money, each child going into Kindergarten & 1st grade received their uniforms, (custom made) with both tennis shoes and nice black dress shoes to wear with their uniforms, backpacks and school supplies!

These children are so proud and look very sharp!

Thank you for making a difference in their lives!

Los Palmares kids:

Guadalupe, Randy, Dulce Maria, Sonia, Diana, & Abel

Joel & Aldrin (cousins)

Anthony

Damaris

Andrea

Darlin

Daniel

Julio

Anderson

Ever

Kevin

Diego

Estanzuela kids and their parents

Jason

Any

Alan

Narlin

The kids at Winnie -the-Pooh

The Gift of Giving

2009-02-19T08:08:00.000-08:00

With the help of some very generous people in both California and Michigan, we were able to buy gifts for 60+ children and give them a Christmas that they otherwise may not have gotten! The 4 of us from the HIM Guatemala staff wore our santa hats and carried a BIG black trash bag full of gifts to the schools. It was by far one of the most rewarding days for us as adults, but I'm sure for the children also! (Or that at least that is what their smiles told me!)

Enjoy the pictures and a piece of Christmas in Guatemala!

3 more sponsors...

2008-12-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

We are so excited and thankful to report that we have sponsors for 3 more children!

All 3 of these children will be starting 1st grade in January, and as soon as we have payment, we will start fitting them for their school uniforms.

There are still children waiting for sponsors... if you are interested, it's not to late.

Axel

Darlin

Aldrin

Thank you to our new sponsors!

2008-11-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to annouce that we have people who have so generously decided to sponsor a child. By their donations of $30 a month we are able to help the child with school supplies, shoes, clothes, school uniforms, and food for their families to mention a few. These children are some of the sweetest I have ever come in contact with. They deserve the best and we feel so honored being able to help them.

The following children are among the fortunate who have new sponsors!

Damaris

Anthony

Andrea

Kevin

Diego

Caterin

Abel

Jeiner

Dulce Maria & Tatiana

Sonja

Estefanie

Victor

We want to send a HUGE thank you to our sponsors!

Not only do we appreciate your gifts and support,

but the children you have chosen to sponsor,

unknowingly appreciate the love, support and help you are sending their way!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Sponsors...

2008-11-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to announce that we are ready for children to be sponsored. If you are interested in sponsoring a child in Guatemala please contact our office for more information.
Hearts In Motion
3319 W. 45th Ave.
Highland, Indiana 46322
(219) 924-2446
www.heartsinmotion.org

Daycare Visit

2008-10-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

On October 22, 2008, we took a group of about 20 volunteers to visit one of the daycares we are working with. While there, the children sang to us, hugged us, gave us high 5's, showed us the english words they knew, and smiled with us! After their performance we gave each child a stuffed animal. What a simple gesture to such see such happiness in a little one's eyes! It was a great visit and extremely fun to see the children interact with the group we took to visit. It may have been even more fun watching the faces of the visitors as they listened and watched the children sing their songs and show their movements to the lyrics! Though we didn't all speak the same language, we communicated perfectly through the smiles on our faces!

"People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile."

~Lee Mildon

Meet Anderson...

2008-09-18T08:25:00.002-07:00

Anthony Anderson with his little brother Alex at school. Anderson is 6 and Alex is 3.

Their kitchen in the back of their house.

Anderson with his mother and 2 out of 3 brothers.
His father works as a carpenter doing wood work, which he tells us he enjoys helping his dad sand the wood. His mother makes and sells tortillas. Together they make about Q2500/month, which is roughly $330/month.

Anderson's favorite activity at school is playing on the swings. He enjoys playing cars with his friend Axel. His favorite animals are Tigers and Lions. When he grows up he wants to be a Doctor!

Meet Daniel...

2008-09-18T08:25:00.001-07:00

This is Daniel. He is 6 year old and loves cars. He tells us that he doesn't have a favorite animal, because he only likes cars. He enjoys school and while there likes to study and paint. His mom tells us that he loves to draw and paint at home as well and he always keeps ALL of his artwork!

The view from Daniel's house.

Their front yard. The mound to the right with pots on it... this is their kitchen/stove.

This is Daniel's Mother, Grandmother, brother and sister. His Grandmother walks him and his sister to school everyday. We asked how long it takes and this was her reponse, "Not very long, only about an hour." (This is one way.) Keep in mind the view from their house you saw above, in order to get to their house, one must hike over 5 minutes up a very steep incline. Daniel was running up the hill due to the excitement of us coming over, however we were sweating I assure you!

A look at the inside of the house. There are 8 people who live in this one room house. There are 3 beds around the edges and a few piles of clothes. His father is not around, so his mother provides for the family working at a small restaurant in town bringing home Q450/month. (roughly $60/month)

Meet Damaris...

2008-09-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Damaris Isabelle is 6 years old. She loves going to school. While there she enjoys doing her homework, coloring and sleeping. We asked Damaris what makes her happy, she replied, "dolls and stuffed animals."
This is the kitchen the family uses at home.

Damaris with her mother and 3 out of 6 siblings. She is the youngest of 7 children with the oldest being 28. Her father works in the fields and brings home Q35 a day, which is equivalant to $4.60 a day! Her mother collects firewood to sell, washes clothes for others and collects oregano in the fields when it is available. She tells us that she only brings in a few Q per month. This is a family of 8 that lives off of $4.60 per day!

Damaris was very proud of her home and to have us visit, like most children here!

Her mother is unable to read or write and was unsure whether Damaris is 5 or 6, but Damaris assures us that she is 6! She enjoys helping her mother take the clothes to the stream and wash them.

Meet Estefanie Michelle

2008-09-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

Estefanie is 3 years old. She loves to draw and play Hide & Seek, her favorite color is pink and when she grows up she wants to be a teacher!

Estefanie has 3 older sisters and a baby brother. Her oldest sister lives with her Grandmother, her Mother stays at home with the baby and her father works in the fields. Her father supports his family of 6 off of his income of roughly $160/month.

When asked what makes her happy, she told us, her favorite song makes her happy. That song she told us is called "Forbidden Love"

Meet Dulce Maria & Tatiana

2008-09-15T10:56:00.001-07:00

"A sister is a forever friend." ~Author unknown
Mom with her girls

Tatiana is 4 years old. She enjoys painting and coloring and her favorite animal is a Giraffe.

Dulce Maria is 5 years old. She's helps out at home by running errands, sweeping and bringing the dishes in.

This family of five live off their fathers income from work at the melon factory of roughly $320/month. Mom occasionally washes and irons others clothes and brings in a small income! Though the top picture shows Dulce Maria wearing shoes, mom tells us that currently, the girls do NOT have any shoes and have a very small amout of clothing.

Video for HIM

2008-09-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

Jumpcut - Love
Click on the "Jumpcut - Love" link above to view the video I created with pictures of the children here in Guatemala!

Malnutrition...

2008-09-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

A visit to the local nutrtition center here in Teculutan...

This 1 year old little girl was brought to the nutrition center a week ago from the hospital. It's a bit difficult to see, however it you look at her hair, you will notice the roots are blonde. Probably about the first inch of hair was blonde, then faded to black.

Notice the hair on this precious little girl. The shape of her head was very odd and large for her body, and she had thin patches of hair around her head, making a close resemblence to the spokes on a bicycle wheel when pulled into a ponytail.

Guatemala ranks 6th in the world for chronic malnutrition, with about 50% of Guatemalan children under the age of 5 suffering from chronic malnutrition, affecting their mental and physical growth. According to UNICEF, Guatemala has the worst malnutrition problem in Latin America, even higher than Africa. 57% of the population currently lives under the poverty line and cannot afford an adequate diet. Mother's are often unable to provide breast milk for their infants due to malnutrition. 75% of the primary indigenous rural population live on less than $2 per day.

Meet Victor...

2008-09-09T21:32:00.001-07:00

Victor is 4 years old and has a 7 year old sister and a 1 year old brother. As a single mother of 3, their mother makes and thus they live off of Q300/month. This is the money earned when she does domestic work for others in their village. This would be the equivilent of roughly $45/month.

They live in a house with 2 rooms & 10 people.

Victor has 1 pair of shoes and a minimal amount of clothes. He loves going to school and is probably one of the happiest children I've ever met. He has a constant smile on his face! Victor's favorite song is the song off The Power Rangers, and when he grows up, he says that he wants to be the red power ranger. He has truly shown me the meaning behind, "a little can go a long ways." Could you survive off of $45/month? An even better question, could you raise 3 children off of $45/month?