We have received 28 letters while corresponding with Mary, one project director's letter, one pastor's letter, and one country director's letter. Her birthday is June 27. Mary lives with her mother, Juana, who sells in the market, and with her brothers, Edwin and Ever, and her sister, Marianela.
Project Info and Activities:
Mary attends BO-571 in Cochabamba
* Home to approximately 6,500 residents
* The primary ethnic groups are Quechua and Aymara
* Most commonly spoken languages are Spanish, Aymara & Quechua
* Most common work is work is plantation work, although majority is unemployed
* Average earning is $82 a month
* Regional Diet: maize, beans, chicken, fish, bread, beef, plantains, rice & potatoes
* Common Health Problems: respiratory infections, diarrhea, malnutrition, tuberculosis, dental problems
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, mud & brick walls, corrugated iron roofs
Center Activities: Bible studies, sports, academic support and technical training.
Miscellaneous Info from Letters:
* Favorites: dolls, group games, stories of Jesus, story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den, ducks, the creation story, parrots, “Lobo-Lobito” game, mangos, lions, Jesus Adrian Romero (“Vine a Adorarte”), draw, jump rope, art, papaya, asado de carne con papas, Mary from the Bible, birth of Jesus story, Philippians 4:13, pork, soccer, to go to the park, yellow, Pink Panther
* Dreams: to be a doctor, to visit a snowy mountain and to play in the snow, play tambourine & drums, be a teacher or nurse, sing or play instruments at church, to visit the sea, to visit the town where her parents came from, to be like her mother because her mother is kind, to be a doctor
* Mary likes playing house, playing with dolls and playing soccer with her friends. She also enjoys washing dishes. Her favorite thing about the project is the staff because they're kind! And she enjoyes eating peanut soup and pique macho with her family.
Letter Highlights...
"Mary climbed a hill and liked to see the city from that high place."
"Mary really likes to play games! They also played the game called "British bulldog" and it was very fun and they were scared to touch the other players. Mary has a special game called "Lobo-Lobito"…Mary hopes you like this game!"
"She's so surprised to see those games in other countries. Mary will keep them on her album of unforgettable memories from her beloved sponsors."
"Mary also wants to share a song with you that she likes a lot. It is "White page." She dedicates it to your son Juanito: friend my brother, I have to tell you about the meaning of that white page and it means that your heart will be white if you deliver your life to God…Yeah, if you believe in him with all our heart that he died for you and suffered for you as well, he will clean your heart and you will be pure then!"
"She wants to thank you for everything that you do for Mary, also wants to hug you and play with Eric."
"Answering your questions...She doesn't have squirrels. She would like to have one in her home. Regarding to her name, she likes it a lot because her parents gave it to her because she is very pretty."
"My favorite pet is my dog. My pet's name is Mailot. As a pet, I would like to have a parrot."
"Let me tell you that I've been helping my mom in the public market these days, and we sell in her place where she sells. I go there with my sister, Marianela, and we also have fun playing and taking walks."
Artwork
Gifts & Visits
In 2012, just after sponsoring Mary, we had the opportunity of sending her a little doll and you can read about that gift delivery here.
Then, in 2014, our friend Helen took a bag of gifts for Mary and her family! Although Helen didn't visit Mary, you can see photos of Mary receiving her gifts here.
And when our friend Judy was visiting her child at Mary's project, she *just happened* to bump into Mary at the project! She took some photos for us and you can read about Judy meeting Mary here.
Extra Photos
Mary's project is amazing about sending extra photos. I hope you enjoy these collages of photos that we've received since sponsoring Mary!
2013
2014
2015
2016
To read the other posts in this series, click here.
