Thirty kids. All the time. Another 100 during the day. This is the life that Kiko & Carmen have chosen. Thirteen years ago, this incredible couple began what is now way more than a full time job. The children are either abandoned or had such a dire circumstances at home that they have come to La Colonia for a better life. Food, a bed, focus on schoolwork, love. All of this and more is what these kids receive here. This is not an institution, it is a home. And for Kiko and Carmen, it is not a job, it is their family.
I`ve been lucky enough to spend the last month here helping out in any
way I can. Mostly I`ve been playing with the kids or helping with their homework, but have also helped build a climbing wall, marched with them in an independence day parade and helped make dinner for 40 people. Without question, working at La Colonia has been a highlight of my trip to South America and something I will never forget.(Post Script - Leaving the Colonia on Friday was also the hardest thing I`ve done on this trip. Its a tradition when any volunteer leaves for everyone to gather around and some of the kids offer to say a few words of thanks and give us cards they have made. One of the older girls started to talk but had to stop because she started crying. It would have been hard enough for me to say goodbye to my new friends in English, but trying it in a new language with a lump in my throat was nearly impossible.)
You don't know how often you're cited in my (usually bar) conversations as someone who's truly living life to the fullest. I'm glad you're sharing this life-changing experience with us through the blog. Look forward to talking to you when you finally get back to the states. Enjoy it, man.
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