Adventure Life partnered this year with our amazing travelers, Karol & Richard Popkin, for a grant to the Hogar de Niñas girls shelter in Granada, Nicaragua. The girls come to the shelter as orphans or if they are not able to live at home due to abuse or poverty. Out of these troubled backgrounds, the nuns at the shelter strive to give the girls structure and love in their daily lives. One key ingredient in their rehabilitation is psychological support and healing. The funds from Adventure Life and the Popkins allowed the shelter to hire a psychologist for this reason.
The driving force behind all of the work at the home is to protect and educate the girls, giving them a chance for a better life and future. We are thrilled in having the opportunity to partner with Mr. Popkin and the sisters at Hogar de Niñas!
Our wonderful travelers, Richard & Karol Popkin, have sent us an update from the field:
At the Girls Shelter in Granada, it is quite clear that the work of the Psychologist continues to pay huge dividends. For the first time, when Karol and Margarita handed out new dresses to each and then had a "Fashion Show," we had zero girls standing off in the corner or otherwise acting out. Three years ago, there were half a dozen or so. By last year, only three. This year, one hundred percent of the girls had huge smiles on their faces and participated happily and wholeheartedly. It was wonderful to see. What a difference. In all, we brought them about 200 pounds of brand new clothing, plus medicines and school supplies, and an incalculable number of hugs!
Photo by Lynessa Nelson
Below is a letter from the shelter's Sister Ligia and Sister Esther:
Estimado Señor Richard.
Gracias por su comunicación, efectivamente hemos recibido la cantidad de $2,400 dolares para 6 meses para salario de la Psicologa, realmente ha sido una ayuda muy positiva para las niñas,ya que tienen garantizada su atención psicologica que les ayudara a ir saliendo de sus traumas psicologicos y patologicos, por los que fueron ingresadas al Hogar de niñas Madre Albertina.
Cada seguimiento psicologico que hace la Psicologa con las niñas, es secuencial,practico y efectivo y los resultados van en dependencia del grado de la secuela que le ha quedado a la niña de acuerdo al trauma, pero en lo general, les ayuda a ir recuperando su salud mental y emocional.
Nos gustaria saber cuando nos volveran a visitar y compartir con las niñas, seria un gusto volver a verles.
Que nuestro buen Dios les bendiga.
Sor Ligia y Sor Esther
A Summary translated into English
Dear Sir Richard,
The hiring of the psychologist has paid off well! Positive changes have been noted within the girls. They are finally getting the help and attention to their personal traumas within the Home and by the aid of the groups and help of the psychologist. Each follow-up with the psychologist is very sequential, practical and effective. They are focused on helping improve the mental and emotional states of each girl's health. Due to the amount of support, there are positive reports!
May our good God bless you!
Sister Ligia and Sister Esther
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