INTERNATIONAL PROJECT PROPOSAL PROJECT 1134 Amanecer (Daybreak) Ministry to Street Children Cochabamba, Bolivia The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5
We are a Catholic ministry that serves the poorest of the poor internationally by channeling aid through dioceses, parishes and Catholic missionaries, cost-effectively helping the poor break the cycle of poverty while advancing Catholic evangelization. Rather than create new institutions to distribute aid, we support existing ministries and churches already serving the poor. In addition to being the most cost-effective way of helping the poor, empowering these ministries allows us to support the Church s spiritual mission and its important position of leadership in poor communities. We consider every gift we receive as a precious resource from God. We direct every donation to its intended project, provide honest and accurate reports to our donors, and keep overhead costs to an industry low. We handle funds with utmost integrity and hold our ministry partners in the field to the same high standards by asking them to document costs and the impact of their outreach. We invite you to join with us as we seek to transform the lives of the poor materially and spiritually ways that please the Father and glorify him in Heaven and on earth.
Project Synopsis Description This project will provide salaries for teachers at Amanecer ( Daybreak ), a Catholic ministry that cares for poor and vulnerable children. Purpose To rescue children from the street and help young people with behavioral issues in Cochabamba, Bolivia, providing them with a safe environment and a chance for a better life. Once these vulnerable children are provided with food, shelter and God s love, they can begin to develop mentally, physically and socially. The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate lives scarred by poverty, neglect and substance abuse. If possible, children are reunited with their families. Location The city of Cochabamba, in central Bolivia, is located in the Andes, and has a metropolitan population of more than 1 million people. Cost $33,000, or about $90 per day to help pay for staff salaries at Casa San Martin San Vicente, one of Amanecer s homes for at-risk boys. Highlights Amanecer was founded by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1981, and they are assisted by the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. The facilities provide a safe refuge for children and adolescents who either live on the streets or are at risk of fleeing their homes for the streets. Each of the facilities provides food, education, vocational training, counseling and the love of Christ. Cross Catholic Outreach is committed to helping the sisters shine the light of Christ by providing funds to operate Casa San Martin San Vicente, Amanecer s home for boys ages 12 to 16, who have been abused and neglected have behavioral problems and have experienced life on the street. TO PROTECT THE IDENTITIES OF THE CHILDREN AT AMANECER, THE PHOTOS IN THIS PROPOSAL HAVE BEEN ALTERED. 1
The Need: Hurting Children This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD. ~ PSALM 34:6 Bolivian street children are at risk for malnutrition and drug or alcohol addiction. In Bolivia, one of South America s least developed countries, 45 percent of the population live below the poverty line, and an estimated 23 percent of young children must work in order to survive. Beyond this burden, children from dysfunctional homes face even greater risks. Many are abused, neglected or abandoned, and some consider living on the streets a better alternative. With no loving adult guidance, these children suffer alone and struggle each day to survive. For daily bread, they resort to begging, shining shoes, washing car windows or, in extreme situations, prostitution. They face each new day in desperation, worried about how they will fill their hungry bellies and provide for their most basic needs. Street children like these are also deprived of family love and spiritual support, making it unlikely they will develop into functional adults. Education is a low priority, and malnutrition is a high risk. Lonely and needing to belong, these children can be easy prey to street gangs or drug dealers who promise ways to numb the emotional pain. To reach out to these hurting children and teens, the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul founded Amanecer Children s Homes in 1981. The nuns work in partnership with the Bolivian government to receive children who are living on the streets, have been abandoned, are struggling with personal behavioral issues within their families, have fallen significantly behind academically or have been removed from their homes because of conditions deemed unsafe. These children have been through more in their short lives than most people can imagine, but you can help by empowering the sisters to turn the children s darkness into light. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:8 2
The Ministry The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. ~ Matthew 4:16 Amanecer (or Daybreak in English) ministers to vulnerable children in the metropolitan city of Cochabamba. With six different homes for boys and girls at various stages of life and recovery, Amanecer is vanquishing darkness with the light of Jesus Christ in the lives of hurting children. When boys ages 12 to 16 enter the program, they are immediately sent to live at Casa San Martin San Vicente. The children are given shelter, education, counseling and structure to counter their previously aimless and chaotic lives. At this stage, unhealthy habits are broken, such as drug or alcohol addiction. If it is in the best interest of the child, he will be reunited with his parents upon completion of the program. If he is better served by remaining in the program, he will be nurtured at one of the Amanecer homes as he grows older and makes progress toward his goals. Through the ministry, children receive a formal education and vocational skills training. This prepares them for life beyond Amanecer and gives them the skills they need to break the cycle of poverty and get off the streets. The sisters at Amanecer understand that no transformation is complete without spiritual growth and the love of Once off the streets, boys at Casa San Martin San Vicente are given hope for the future through Amanecer s ministry. Jesus Christ. Throughout all stages of the program, boys are loved unconditionally and learn Catholic values and teaching. Children are prepared to receive the sacraments through catechism classes; and they are given the opportunity to attend Mass regularly. With the light of Christ in the lives of these precious children, the darkness of their past is vanquished and new hope is born. But for this important life-changing ministry to continue, the sisters need your help to fund staff salaries at Casa San Martin San Vicente! Integral Formation At Amanecer, the sisters make it a priority to develop the whole child physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Through social development, family reconciliation, formal education, vocational education, health care, psychological counseling and Catholic spiritual formation, children are given the well-rounded childhood they need to grow into productive citizens and servants of Jesus Christ. 3
Cross Catholic Outreach supports Casa San Martin San Vicente, a home for boys who have suffered abuse and neglect, have behavioral problems and have experienced life on the streets. Because the sisters know that each child has individual needs, Amanecer s ministry has other homes to accommodate children at every level of growth. Madre de Dios Young women ages 8-18 are given a safe place to learn and grow at this home. Amanecer Ministry to Street Children Project 1134 Homes in Amanecer s Ministry Casa Nazareth A home for younger boys between the ages of 8 and 12 once they have passed through the Sayaricuy shelter. Casa San Martin San Vicente* A home for teen boys between the ages of 12 and 16. These young men are trained in vocational skills and maintain a large garden. Vocational skills training is an important part of the education children receive at Amanecer. Casa Ana Maria This house serves adolescent boys 16 to 18 years of age who are continuing their formal education as well as pursuing vocational training at Amanecer s vocational school. Casa Jerusalem This facility functions as a halfway house for young adult males who are almost ready to leave the program, but need a degree of support for the transition to society. * Cross Catholic Outreach funded home. Children at Amanecer receive daily healthy meals, while also helping with the chore of food preparation. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full. Proverbs 19:17 4
Please Help Us Meet This Urgent Need! In the streets of Cochabamba, Bolivia, poor children are struggling just to survive. For these young people, the joy of childhood has been lost to a darkness that can only be overcome with the love and light of Christ. You have an opportunity to share the light of Christ with these children. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus tells his followers, You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). Will you please help the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul fund staff salaries so they can continue to meet the urgent needs of impoverished street children? To meet their needs, Cross Catholic Outreach relies on the help of compassionate Catholics like you. With your gift of support, you will be shining the light of Christ into the most desperate and dark situations. Right now, countless street children are desperately waiting for a helping hand of mercy to reach into their world. Please join Cross Catholic Outreach and minister to them today! Our Promise to You! Proceeds from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred during the current calendar year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry. 5 2700 N. Military Trail Suite 240 PO Box 273908 Boca Raton, Florida 33427-3908 800-914-2420 www.crosscatholic.org Copyright Cross Catholic Outreach. Cost effectively written, designed and printed in-house. [cm1603][utn1701][ucm1702]