From Jim …

Pasitos de Luz (little steps of light) continues to grow and offer critically needed services to Vallarta’s disabled kids and their families. If her child can be cared for during the day, a parent can hold a job and provide for her family. During that “day of care”, kids from an active pool of 150 special needs kids, receive an incredible array of srvices: medical evaluation and treatment, physical and occupational therapy, special education, personal hygiene, nutritional meals, and in many cases clean clothes and haircuts….all in an environment that is stimulating and incredibly loving and compassionate.

With ever greater demand from a rapidly growing population, Pasito’s founder and Director, Yolanda Sanchez, continues to expand and improve the facility. In the past six months she has added a large and well-equipped therapy area ready for the arrival of 3 interns who will spend a year working under the supervision of our staff therapist Sylvia. There’s a new are area where kids can share the joy of creating colorful and imaginative paintings–some holding the brush in their mouth, and one severely affected sweetheart with Cerebral Palsy has a brush mounted on her little baseball cap—incredible to witness!!

A new kitchen has been installed and equipped where 2 loving moms work magic with “past date” ingredients from Costco, serving up 300 plus meals a day, many specially formulated for individual needs and conditions.

All of this gets done for less than 40 pesos per child ($3.50 US!!). And of course the constant challenge at Pasitos is to reliably obtain those funds. One recent effort with lots of community support is a weekly Bingo night in the tourist beach area. There is also a second hand shop connected to the facility staffed by volunteers. With no government funding, what keeps Pasitos going is the faithful support of a few small foundations, and service clubs like Rotary and Kiwanis. These friends of Pasitos know their funds are working miracles in Puerto Vallarta…..truly!! Kids given no hope of walking, learning, even surviving…defy the predictions under the loving and attentive care of their helpers, many of whom are themselves mothers of disabled kids.

Some recent encouraging developments: a film-maker from Vancouver has completed a week of filming and the resulting documentary will contribute hugely in efforts to introduce Pasitos to more people and raise desperately needed funds. Yolanda was awarded the “Hero Award” by the city of Puerto Vallarta, for her amazing dedication and accomplishments (she started only six years ago, caring for the children of 3 friends, in her home!!). The recently elected city administration is expressing interest and concern in the major contribution Pasitos makes to Vallarta’s welfare.

But the everyday events at Pasitos will always be the most impressive: Little Manuel getting the surgery in Guadalajara that will allow him to move his legs, and maybe even walk; Citlaly who has spent her seven years sliding through life on her backside has learned to wear her braces, stand up, and beginning to take her first steps with a smile on her angelic face that would melt ice; the special ed class has learned a song and dance routine for the next community program; Carlito can write his numbers, Maria no longer cries with fear, Juanito is gaining weight and is able to play for the first time in his six years.

Pasitos truly is a place of miracles and we hope you’ll continue to participate in our little miracles. If you are planning some time in Vallarta, please let us introduce you to our kids and services. Could be the highlite of your holiday!