Un día para dar México: supporting disabled children in a pandemic crisis

If you were the parent of a child like 5 year old César Manzo Cruz, who was born with a rare chromosomal disorder, even in a wealthy western society you would need a lot of professional support to help him develop essential life skills. For families of limited resources in Mexico such support is almost an impossible dream. Fortunately, in San Vicente, Nayarit state, a charity that marks its 20th anniversary in 2020 helps local parents achieve impossible dreams. 

At Pasitos Alexis, born without eyes and unable to walk, learns to move around with the aid of a stick and encouragement from Eliseo, who was born without sight

 

Without the therapy that he receives at Pasitos de Luz, the charity where our son Chris works, César would not be able to crawl, let alone walk, would find learning difficult, and speech impossible. The therapists at Pasitos have worked with César to enable him to crawl and shuffle around on his bottom and, one day soon, to graduate to walking. They are also helping him to speak. Jan and I met César at Pasitos the last time we were in Mexico. We can testify that he loves throwing and kicking balls: the smile on his face when he sees a ball to play with would melt anybody’s heart. 

César and Mia playing ball

We do not know what the personal circumstances of César’s Mum and Dad and his older brother are, but most Pasitos families have very limited resources. Were it not for Pasitos the parents of 130 children like César would receive no help at all to improve the life chances of a dearly loved daughter or son. Unfortunately, the pandemic has devastated the tourist industry on which the economy in the area of Bahía de Banderas depends. Most Pasitos parents are now without work and certainly without any form of social security. 

Pasitos has delivered food parcels to families during the pandemic

 

Some of the Pasitos families are paracaidistas (parachutists), whose income is too small to afford formal housing. They build a home on vacant land using whatever materials they can find – wood, corrugated iron, cardboard. These shelters have no running water, electricity or sewage. Other children are cared for by a single mother who has fled domestic abuse, sometimes with the support of a grandmother. Despite their precarious economic circumstances, the love and concern of these families for the well-being of their disabled child is evident in the determination with which they seek support from Pasitos. 

We once visited Pasitos on Mexico’s Children’s Day when a party was in full swing. The entertainer who made the children laugh is also a Pasitos parent. His daughter had a speech defect. When he and his wife asked her state school for help, the teachers explained that they would have to take her to a private school, something far beyond their means. The entertainer had heard of Pasitos, where his daughter has learned to speak with confidence. The therapy she received at Pasitos has transformed the family’s life.

Children's Day 2018 at Pasitos

 

There is a video that shows some of the work that Pasitos has carried out during the pandemic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjCn5i4jvbQ&feature=youtu.be 

The pandemic has battered the finances of Pasitos, so Chris has been busy organizing a fundraising campaign to help fill the budget gap. The focus of the campaign is a global day of generosity on 1 December called Giving Tuesday in English, Un día para dar México (A day for giving Mexico) in Spanish. For friends who speak Spanish, Chris’ appeal to Mexican supporters is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZvVwneIcQ4 

Xochi, who has a form of palsy, enjoys music therapy with a volunteer therapist

 

We can all help charities like Pasitos next Tuesday 1 December by being as generous as our own finances permit. In the USA donations can be made by PayPal or through the Children’s Shelter of Hope, who can issue a tax certificate. Friends outside USA can give by PayPal, or if you prefer contact me at: ianjacobsipswich@gmail.com.  

Details of how to give are at: https://pasitosdeluz.org/home/donate/ This year a donor who annually raises money to give the children a Christmas present is instead raising funds to help Pasitos support the children at home. Yesterday, a Pasitos mother who lives in Tomatlán, a two hour drive from the Pasitos building, was travelling there with neighbours from her town with donations in kind. Their generosity can help change a child’s life for the better. 

Gracias por su generosidad. Thank you for your generosity