Hello Father Doran,
On Saturday, September 21, a group of Vida Joven Board members, St Michael’s parishioners, and other guests, went to visit Vida Joven orphanage in Tijuana. It was a full and worthwhile visit on so many levels, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to participate with the work our parish does with Vida Joven.
After a brief orientation, we left St. John’s in Chula Vista around 9am, and arrived by 10 am at Vida Joven. Despite the short drive, extended somewhat by the traffic to enter México, once in Tijuana, I felt like I could be on a different continent, a universe away from my comfortable home in Carlsbad. I was reminded once again that I live within an hour’s drive of an international border, and the gateway to a developing country and an entire world of Latin America at my fingertips.
It was an impactful experience being at the orphanage, even just for the day. For me, it was a mixture of feeling the warmth of this loving environment where the smiling children at that moment were safe and secure, while just below the surface was the reality of the desperateness of their situation, and all that has been hanging in the balance for each life that resides there. I was reminded that in Mexico, there are limited social services available at this time, and limited government aid for people in dire circumstances. In Mexico, the family unit is the social safety net. Being close to supportive and capable parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents means that when life happens, someone might be there to help you break your fall.
But what happens when family support is weak or non-existent? What happens to children if their parents are not able to provide for them, perhaps because of illness, death, extreme poverty, addiction, incarceration, or other adverse life circumstance, with no other family members to support or help? In Mexico, these children are at great risk of losing their lives onto the streets as beggars or victims of gangs, prostitution, and other forms criminal activity, such as drug and sex trafficking. The big exception is if they are fortunate enough to be taken in by a loving, caring orphanage, such as Vida Joven de México. What a privilege it is for us to be a small part of giving these children hope, a glimpse of a Light for children born into hard lives.
I was struck by the miracles I witnessed last Saturday, like the young adult who was brought up in Vida Joven, now a college student and on her way to becoming a contributing member of society with the chance of creating a family of her own someday that she will be able to provide for. There are children who have lost limbs or the ability to speak, but now have a place to belong and to receive education in a safe, clean, and caring environment. There is a group of four siblings being adopted by an American, and will be attending top schools in the U.S., changing the course of their lives forever. All this because a place like Vida Joven exists!
Another type of miracle I witnessed at the orphanage was the financial miracle: Despite the fact that their operating expenses are close to $200,000 annually (or approximately $6500/child annually), the orphanage runs almost entirely on private voluntary donations! (Mexican government contributes 2-3% in the form of some type of tangible goods). It is truly a FAITH-based organization!
Lastly, I was struck by the miracle of generosity that Vida Joven exhibits. It does not consider itelf “too poor” to take care of others…the orphanage takes in “volunteers”! Not ‘volunteers’ who come to serve and help out at the orphanage, but ‘volunteer’ children who are dropped off daily or weekly in order to have a warm meal, a ride to school, a place to do homework and be off the streets while their parents are trying to make ends meet…at NO cost to their families. There are always spare beds available in the dorm-style rooms in case one or more of these ‘volunteers’ need to spend the night, or the weekend, in a safe place. Vida Joven opens its door to these children, never charging fees for them, and never turning these children away!
Here are some thoughts from others on our September 21 trip:
“As long as St Michael’s has been supporting Vida Jovan, I have been uneasy about traveling to Tijuana. I was concerned about security but even moreover that I would fail the orphans. My recent visit proved me wrong. I felt safe and comfortable with the children. And with the transit. They were welcoming and eager to engage. The tour of the facility and learning its history was enlightening. I am so glad I finally made the trip.” Christine
“While I was excited about the opportunity to go, I feared traveling to Vida Joven would present a hopelessness that I have not specifically witnessed before. So, I guess my primary joy and takeaway is that it turned out to be anything but… I witnessed a love and care for these children that went beyond just service. Be it from the parents that were operating communally to share resources, or the staff there to make it all work on the back end. And then there were the kids themselves building each other up and supporting one another, and legacy volunteers that have clearly built meaningful relationships through repeat visits. Because of this love and care, these children stand a chance to overcome some or all of the great challenges life has thrown them so far.” Jason
Once again, it is impressed upon me that we get more than we can possibly give when serving others. Thank you, St Michael’s-by-the-Sea for all your continuous dedication to Vida Joven, and thank you, Vida Joven, for the opportunity to participate in the incredible work you are doing with our neighbors, just south of our border!
In love and service,
Caryn
