Worldwide Activity Report -- November 1998
FAR080 -- GP SRV

Copyright 1998 by The Family

         Every day, in over 85 countries spanning the globe, full-time Family volunteers work to bring hope, happiness, and God's love to others. Following are some highlights of their recent activities and experiences, as reported by the Family members involved.

[Caption for lead-article photos:]

Aid to Mexico's Tarahumaras. Left: Family volunteer Gloria Maria distributes food supplies to Tarahumara Indians. Above: Cherri, Leticia, Dr. Mayala, Franco and a nurse with some of the medical supplies that The Family presented to the Cuzarare Clinic.

Project H.E.L.P. brings humanitarian aid to remote mountain people
From Carlos, Mexico
         In November of 1997, four of us set off for the vast canyons of the Sierra Madre mountain range of northern Mexico, home to the Tarahumara. With the help of Ramon, our Indian guide, we trekked six hours into the Bufa canyon along a precarious trail that sometimes narrowed to no more than six inches on the side of steep mountain walls.
         At journey's end we found a primitive society living in caves and rugged mountain dwellings, far removed from telephones, VCRs, computers, and other trappings of modern society. The quiet of the tall pine forests and the gentle chatter of birds brought tranquility to this place where time has stood still for nearly 500 years. The Tarahumara still live much the same as their sixteenth-century ancestors who fled to these mountains to escape the Spanish conquistadors.
         We also learned that many of the Tarahumara have serious but treatable health problems. About 10% of the children suffer malnutrition. Other common afflictions include diarrhea, bronchitis, muscular pains, skin conditions, and parasites.
         Eight months later we returned to the Sierra Madre to fulfill our promise to these simple people of bringing humanitarian aid in the form of grains, medicines, and other supplies. This was the first phase of our planned five-year Project H.E.L.P. program to assist the Tarahumaras of Cuzarare, a village 22 kilometers from Creel in Chihuahua state.
         Two of our three vehicles overheated on the steep upgrades of the Sierra Madre, leaving us and our aid shipment stranded. Eventually it was the Coca-Cola company that came to our rescue. They donated the use of a truck and a driver to ship our cargo to the town of Creel, where we set up base.
         Our first day there we visited the Cuzarare Clinic, which is run by Dr. Mayala, a young doctor we had met the year before. She had spoken then of the scarcity of medical supplies, and had asked if we could help with the clinic's most urgent needs. In response, Franco and Leticia, two members of our H.E.L.P. team, had secured donations of the needed medications and supplies. When we presented them to Dr. Mayala, she was overwhelmed and thanked us profusely.
         Every weekend many of the Indians from the surrounding mountains come to Creel for religious services and a weekly tribal meeting. Many also come for medical checkups and treatment from Dr. Mayala.
         Saturday morning we set up our food operation in the log cabin of one of the village elders, and ten of us began preparing bags of corn, beans, rice, cereal, and other provisions for each of the families. By working fast, we managed to package all the provisions by Sunday noon when the first Indian women arrived, some carrying babies or infants on their backs. By the end of the day we had distributed food and clothing to over two hundred Tarahumara men, women, and children. That evening some of us set up a puppet stage and put on a show that enthralled the children and their parents.
         If you would like to contribute to the Tarahumara Aid Fund, please contact Carlos A. Cedillo at: fammex@orvinet.com.mx

Family-sponsored expo leads to nationwide program for the deaf
From Will, India
         With the help of Christine, a close friend and supporter of our work with the deaf community, we organized and conducted a Deaf Expo for hearing-impaired entrepreneurs and students during International Deaf Week, September 21 through 27.
         Throughout the week we held seminars on self-employment, capitalizing on opportunities open to the deaf under the Disabilities Act, AIDS awareness, and other topics important to the deaf. On the final day we gave awards to veterans of the deaf community.
         The event also helped raise public awareness of the potential of India's deaf. State TV covered the opening ceremony, and many newspapers published feature articles. The Minister for Youth Affairs and a number of state and union officials attended.
         The chairman of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), who attended as a guest of honor, was so impressed with The Family's work with the deaf that he nominated me for RCI's National Experts Committee. Our first assignment: to develop a nationwide sign-language training program and implement it. RCI will fund the project.

International effort helps mend young bodies
From Ruth and Michael, Romania
         For over a year, we have being working with some American friends to provide free medical assistance to Romanian children with physical disabilities. We mainly help with translations and all the paperwork involved in getting the children to the U.S. for special operations that aren't available here.
         The first child, ten-year-old Alex, went to the States in October for an orthopedic operation. He had been on the waiting list for over four years. It was such a big event when Alex was finally accepted, that the local TV station broadcast the touching moment when we gave the news to his parents.
         Please pray that Alex's recovery and therapy will go well so he will be able to walk normally, and also that many more children will be cleared for operations soon.

The Family: a force for social change
From Agustin, Paloma and Eliseo, Colombia
         We are conducting an ongoing series of conferences and seminars for judges and high-ranking prison officials as part of the government's "humanization" program to reform Colombia's prisons. This work, which also involves leading psychologists and social workers, has already taken us to several cities. A song Agustin wrote, "Prayer for a Prisoner," has been chosen as a theme song for the program.
         Agustin also participated in a conference for leading doctors, psychologists, academics, and other social reformers that addressed the very serious child abuse problem in this country. Every year, many children suffer grave physical and psychological injury, and a great number of children disappear--victims of international child prostitution rings. The conference closed with another of Agustin's songs, "A Song for Your Child." The organizer of the conference has since asked to use it as the theme song for her foundation.

Special Olympics a hit with provincial handicapped children
From Anna, Thailand
         It all started when one of our friends asked us to help arrange a donated lunch for the children at the Songkla School for the Mentally Handicapped on his birthday--an act of charity which is common here. When the school administrator realized that we were a volunteer group, he begged us to join their committee which was organizing a Special Olympics for the mentally handicapped children of southern Thailand. About 450 children and staff from five centers in the southern provinces would be participating. Our part: to find sponsors for five meals, snacks, live entertainment, sports outfits, and raffle prizes, and also to sell tickets for the event.
         Despite the severe economic downturn this country is experiencing, the donations rolled in: Nearly every individual and company we approached for help agreed to give something towards the Special Olympics. In the end we had received several tons of food, including ice cream and other treats, and the needed sports outfits. Sponsors also helped provide 50 of The Family's Treasure Attic and Kiddie Viddie children's educational videos and 100 of The Family's children's audio tapes to be given to the participating institutions and for raffle prizes. A local entertainment company sent a band and troupe of dancers and singers to perform for the children at their final buffet dinner.
         Our four preteens also played a major part and worked hard to set up and serve the buffet, and cleaned up afterwards. They also made friends with the handicapped children, and dished out lots of love and encouragement.
         These Special Olympics were special indeed, as every child went home a winner. They all had a great time, and their sense of self-worth got a big boost! Love does it again!
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         The Family is a nonprofit, volunteer organization. Each of the activities you have just read about was made possible through donations from businesses, associations and concerned individuals. If you would like more information about The Family, or if you would like to help sponsor Family volunteers or projects, including any of those mentioned in this issue, please contact us at one of the addresses below:



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family