La Guardaría

One of the sites we go to is the guardaría, the day care. The building was built entirely by short-term teams. It was built on an old garbage dump near another garbage dump, so kids whose parents work in the dump can come and get a good meal and have a safe place. All the kids at the daycare have sponsors (though a few still are waiting for sponsors). Three days a week, the day care hosts Inca Link kids, and the other three days it hosts Compassion International kids. They eat lunch there, learn how to brush their teeth and wash their hands, and are taught a Bible lesson.


There's me and my girls Jesús and Antonela. (Photo credit Ray Majoran)



When we visit the daycare, teams often have a Bible lesson prepared, we sing songs, and we take them out to the "canchita" -- the soccer court-- to play. The kids are like little monkeys. They climb right up into your arms and cling to you for the afternoon. Kisses they give you free. Most just want your attention.


Jordan and some cuties.

Their ages range from 3 to 17. Many are siblings. The older kids look after the younger ones. Sometimes they get kind of crazy, but they're always fun. It's a hopeful place.

(Photo credit: Amber Kasnick)