Thursday 2 January 2014

Perspective

So on Christmas Day I found myself at a home for street children in Mexico City.

Up to 90 children live in a home that would be regarded as assigned for demolition where I have the good fortune to live: there wasn't always glass in all the windows, plastering of walls was obviously an optional extra and the stench from the dog poop in the outside play area was off-putting.

I wasn't expecting to be as affected as I was.

There are upwards of a quarter of a million street children in Mexico City.

They find themselves on the streets for a variety of reasons: their own parents can't look after them (addicts), their parents have died/been killed, they are gay, they have been sexually abused.

And once they are on the streets they run the gamut of drink and drugs, glue sniffing, prostitution. You name it - it's out there.

So this little house (there are others) is a glimmer of hope in an otherwise fairly bleak world for them. And they still manage to open their doors once a week and feed upwards of 300 or more street children who have yet to find somewhere to stay.

The average stay in the home is eight years, during which time the children will be educated and receive various therapies to cope with the traumas they have experienced. A couple of rooms have been set aside to teach them carpentry and computer programming (I had forgotten computers could look that old and clunky). The idea is that they are turned into young adults who will be able to go out into the world and make something of themselves. In some cases though, you could see bouts of glue sniffing had addled their brains and you were left wondering what would become of them.

I took a quilt for a baby and some chocolate coins for the children. It felt fairly pathetic.

On the plus side, it gives you a healthy perspective on what is really important and what isn't. At the start  of the new year, my appetite for more and new fabric has dried up and I definitely feel this is the year for using up what I have and giving where I can.

I have an idea to send more quilts (at nearly eight thousand feet above sea level, it gets cold in Mexico City) so that at least every child there has something special that belongs just to them. I'm bogged down in the red tape of the mechanics of sending quilts at the moment but if I can find a way, will you help me?

I took my 11 year old daughter with me.

She made a short video.





Update: I have found a way. If you are interested in mailing a quilt to an address in the Netherlands, please let me know.



48 comments:

  1. I guess one problem might be sending them in a way that doesn't involve taxes/duties for the recipients? But yes, definitely, as soon as you say the word!

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  2. count me in just let me have the details x

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  3. What a lovely idea Alison. Poverty affecting anyone is awful, but truly heartbreaking when you see it's effects on children. I would love to help you if there is a way that I can.

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  4. Count me in too. I've been looking for an opportunity to be more active in charity quilt-giving, I'd be happy to help.

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  5. I would love to help. I am stash busting this year and am looking for a worthy charity to send quilts. Hope you can find a way and provide the info. Good luck, I am in!

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  6. My enthusiasm for making quilts outweighs my storage space so as soon as you need some help just let me know!

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  7. I would love to contribute too. What a wonderful idea. I am hoping to donate more quilts this year.

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  8. Recently I have felt so rich, spoiled and plagued by first world problems (should we remodel the kitchen?). There are so many people out there, esp children, who need help. I don't know the best way to help there, but would love to do something. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Yes. I live in California, which is at least a little closer. Ideally we can find someone driving there! Let me know how I can help.

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  10. Sounds like a great cause. I'd like to help too!

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  11. Of course I will help you, let me know what you need and when. If we all helped, there would be more than enough to go around.

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  12. Love this idea. When my kids went to Guatemala they took quilts . It was hardly a dent, but it helped a few. Bless you as you bless others. I would love to help : )

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  13. It makes me realise how lucky we are when I see read and hear about such moving stories. Those poor little ones what a horrendous start in life for them.

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  14. Absolutely! I would be very happy to help!

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  15. being in poorer countries certainly helps with putting life into perspective. This is a fantastic idea - I just hope that you can get them there easily.

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  16. let us know and im sure they would flood in......happy to help

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  17. I'm in too - thank you for your openness to tackling the logistics. What a wonderful world it could be if we all acted when we saw a problem as you have.

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  18. I'd love to help out, just say when and where.
    Brilliant thing to do.

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  19. What a wonderful video your daughter made. The addition of the music really put things in perspective for me - the irony of what that song advertises and the Christmas that these children had, I even had a little cry.

    I got a new frame last year and need practice - if anyone wants to donate a quilt top I'd happily quilt it (simply). I'd donate the wadding but would need some help with boy backings (I'm assuming that a vintage sheet would be ok for girls) and Ipostage.

    Let me know if I can help x

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  20. Wow... it does put our lives in perspective. I was feeling sorry for myself with a family of 5 living with us in our small house!I would be happy to help! Just give me the details.

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  21. I'd love to send a quilt and have a top or two which could be quilted by Catrin. Let me know where to send and I'll get on to it! So happy to be able to help.

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  22. Wow! Yes, of course, I'll help. Let us know the details!

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  23. I'd be very interested to know how this is all working out -- to see if it might be possible to recreate for anyone in the U.S. who might not be able to afford the international shipping to the Netherlands but who nonetheless want to support this cause. Let me know if you get a moment :)

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  24. oh man. i'm all over this, just need the deets.

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  25. Count me in for a quilt or two - I need to use up some of my stash...
    Please let me know where to send them and when.

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  26. Hi! I will help too. Please send me the mailing details. :) If I cannot afford to send a quilt through the mail I will absolutely send quilted blocks. I will look into the mailing cost of a quilt or two first. Thank you.

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  27. I am in for a small charm quilt-type thing. Could you please send on the details for posting within Europe? fluffysheepquilting(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  28. I have made a few blocks and I am wondering what quilt size would be adequate?

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  29. I've made a small quilt. Please can I have the address to send it on :)

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  30. I've come late to this, but I'd love to help. Please let me know the details, thanks.

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  31. Woo hoo! Finished the quilt top today :)

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  32. I have a quilt I can send, can you let me have the details please?

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  33. I'd love to send a quilt if you can mail me the details - thanks!

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  34. I'd love to send a quilt - can you send on sizes and details?

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  35. Please tell me more., i live in the Netherlannds and would love to participate.
    Esther
    esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo com
    ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

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  36. How big does the quilt have to be and what is the address in the Netherlands? Thanks!

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  37. How big does the quilt have to be and what is the address in the Netherlands? Thanks!

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  38. I would be glad to help too. Kindly send me the details: size, shipping etc.

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  39. I would love to help - can you give me your address details?
    Thanks, Ann

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  40. I've just come across this now but I would love to help

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  41. Hope it is not too late. I do live in Mexico City. Please tell me how I can help. My email is clattie@prodigy.net.mx

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