This year we have several children graduating from high school and several graduating from primary school...

This means that we have to prepare for them to all go on their class trips at the end of the school year. To go on the class trips the children and parents organize fundraisers, such as what they call “polladas” or chicken dinners.

This year I am the main delegate to go to the class meetings, I like to go and enjoy getting to know the other parents and getting involved. I am the secretary in two of the classes, so I have to take notes from the meetings and agreements that are made.

This year our high school students will go to the northern part of Peru, going through Trujillo, Lima and to the beach in Piura. They are looking forward to getting to see new parts of Peru. Jorge, Jhon, and Aban will be travelling this year. Jorge is close to being the top of his class coming in 6th place at the end of last year. He would like to study Civil Engineering at the public university in Cusco. Jhon is interested in studying to become a PE teacher; he really enjoys playing sports and would like to turn that love into a career. Aban is not too sure of what he would like to study; it is really a new idea to him to be able to pick something to study.
Aban came to Casa fairly recently at the age of 17, our oldest intake ever. We brought him here to join his brothers and sister because he was being severely abused and used pretty much as a slave for another family. He is an exceptionally sweet young man with a quiet disposition; he is very helpful in the family and household chores. It has been a challenge for Aban to relax and take a chance to be a part of the family and share the work with others, but he is getting the idea. He really loves being near to his siblings and taking part in their lives, he enjoys helping them to do their homework and looking after them.

The 6th graders will be going to the southern part of Peru, through Arequipa to the beaches of Mollendo and down to Tacna. This will be the first time that most of the students will get to see the ocean. Soraida, Yelmo, and Jose Luis will be travelling this year. Yelmo has always been a good student and done well in his class. He was alone in his grade level until last year when we were able to have Soraida and Jose Luis to skip a year and get almost caught up to grade level. Both Soraida and Jose Luis had been in and out of school and were way behind in their abilities upon their arrival at Casa. Through hard work on their part and help from teachers and the mamas and papas they were able to get caught up and then skip ahead a grade. The change was a challenge for Yelmo, he had gotten used to being the only one in his grade. He is now excited that they will all get to travel together.

This year Rosa begins the 3rd year of secondary. That is quite a feat for this little munchkin that arrived at Casa at the age of 7 never having held a pencil in her life. Rosa had been diagnosed with severe learning disabilities and minor mental retardation. Those diagnoses are now null and void. She is an amazing young woman quiet and reserved, but very observant of all around her.
Ermelinda is in the same grade as Rosa, they help each other quite a bit. Ermelinda learns with great ease and has an easy time with her school work, so she can help Rose keep up with her homework.
Illary and Yulissa have both started an alternative school; this will enable them to finish their secondary studies in about 2 years instead of 5. Both of the girls have been behind in their studies since arriving at Casa so this is a great way to get them through school. They are also taking classes during the week. Yulissa is taking sewing classes and Illary is taking cooking classes starting with desserts. They are enjoying the new opportunities that are available to them; they were not feeling comfortable with the younger children in their classes at school. We are planning on building a new wood burning oven for the house and to be able to start producing and selling baked goods in Calca and Illary and Yulissa will have the opportunity to be a part of the production.

The children had a wonderful time performing in their concert on March 26th. It was absolutely amazing. We all felt as though our hearts were going to explode with the love flowing through. The children had a standing ovation from the crowd and are ready to perform again already. We are trying to find venues for them to be able to continue performing and sharing their abilities with those around them. We are organizing several local fundraisers to buy the children their own instruments. Right now we have to borrow and rent instruments.

We had a bit of a scare and some excitement this week. Alexis had appendicitis and had to have her appendix out. She was in the hospital for 4 days and is recovering from the whole ordeal very well.

Mama Kia is recovering very well from her spinal surgery in February. The surgery did the job in taking the pain away from her spine and ribs. She is still recovering, but doing great.

We hope that you are all well and happy, that joy is overflowing into your lives and bubbling up from within. Thank you to all of those who support us in all different ways may you blessed in everything that you do each and every day.

Love and Prayers,
Marie for the family