For the past nine years our lives have been turned upside down. You may think that is a bad thing, but it has changed our lives all for the good. When we found Casa Hogar Los Angelitos, it was located in a small house, on a side street, but they were planning to move in a month. We jumped in with both feet and became involved with the children on a daily basis. Whether it was washing clothes by hand or painting the entire property, we were willing to help. Over the years our role has changed and expanded into helping with fundraising, involving Rotary groups from the States and raising the awareness of Casa Hogar in our Mexico community as well as in the US. The love we have for the children and our belief that God has put us here for a reason has never faltered, but continues to help us seek ways of getting financial support for Casa Hogar Los Angelitos.

Attending a Casa Hogar los Angelitos open house and benefit was our first introduction. We tagged along with our new friends and neighbors at Vida del Mar, knowing it would be an interesting event for a good cause. There, we started as attendees, and after that, donors. Seeing the facility, hearing about the education, clean and safe place to live, and educational opportunities for those who are taken in, meeting the children themselves and understanding the commitment of the staff and so many others who support Casa Hogar drew us in instantly. It’s been several years now of involvement – still as donors and child sponsors, but as helpers in the annual open house and benefit with the ability to touch those children and see their growth and development, through opportunities they would never have had otherwise. The experience has enriched our lives. Like everyone else, we’re solicited for charity or donation dollars all the time. But with our closeness to Casa Hogar, we know where every dollar is going – and not for administration or overhead. We know in a direct way that every dollar makes a difference so that these children can have a future that counts!

Our introduction to Casa Hogar Los Angelitos was through meeting a set of dedicated people serving children in great need. After meeting the children in a visit to Casa Hogar Los Angelitos, we knew we wanted to be involved in supporting its mission. Even though our involvement has been modest, it has been very exciting and rewarding for us to be associated with a children’s home that has grown rapidly from serving seven children at the outset to fifty children today. We also identify with the vision and mission of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos which includes serving children in need independent of age, or their “special needs” status, and seeking to change the lives of children one child at a time. We feel our contributions of time and money are well leveraged through the programs developed and delivered by those working with the children. Casa Hogar Los Angelitos strives to help children achieve academically, become confident in their leadership potential, and gain in their understanding of and appreciation for their self worth and cultural roots. Casa Hogar Los Angelitos is a different and special place and we are privileged to have the opportunity to be of help.

I want to mention what a wonderful job both Dave and Nancy Nystrom have done over the years with their tireless efforts for Casa Hogar los Angelitos.

How often do we find two individuals in this world who are so devoted to the health and well-being of others?

Dave and Nancy have contributed their time, money and love to this Mexican community of Manzanillo/Santiago year after year… never ceasing efforts through good times and bad. They have selflessly shared their vision and their compassion, with people here and abroad. They make you proud to be a human being and to know them for their kindness and their generosity. I am proud to be their friend.

VTY,
Captain Joel S. Fogel,
President
WATERWATCH International
www.waterwatchinternational.org

Chairman,
Environmental Affairs
The Explorers Club
www.explorers.org

One day, several years ago, my young son came out of Sunday School class and asked me "Dad, what do you do to make the world a better place?".  I did not have an answer, at least, not a good one.  That question stayed on my mind for a long time, then about 6 years ago, someone at church asked me to go along on a "Mission Trip" to Mexico. 

They explained that a lady in our church had created an orphanage in Manzanillo and they were going down to help with some building maintenance.  My first response was "no" and I had a variety of valid excuses.  But with some reluctance, I accepted the offer and went to visit Casa Hogar Los Angelitos for the first time.

That visit changed my life.  I learned that, although I had very little to offer these children, God sent me to them so that He could speak to me in a more direct way.  Through these children, God showed me that I COULD make the world a better place by serving Him there.  I learned that by serving "the least of these", God plants a joy in our hearts that never fades.

My next visit to Casa Hogar will be my sixth.  I go there because I love these children, and I go because it is there that God speaks very clearly to me.