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Breakfast and Lunch Programs
In 1993, the teachers of the grade school in Colonia Marquez de Leon reported a high incidence of poor attendance, bad study habits, and children fainting in class due to lack of food. After discussions with the parents and the parish priest, a breakfast program for the children was initiated by Father Luis Ruggera in a small chapel located in the colonia. A nun secured supplies and taught the women of the neighborhood how to cook for 120 children.
At this time breakfasts are served in a new dining room and kitchen built with funds from a small village in Italy. While the program is sponsored by the Catholic church, it is open to children of all denominations. The work done by the women of the community is totally voluntary.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the children are given a complete meal such as scrambled eggs and ham, beans, tortillas, a drink, and fruit. Some of the children must walk a mile or more to the breakfast kitchen; for many of them this is the only full meal they will eat during the day.
Some associates of Fundación Ayuda Niños La Paz, A.C., got involved with the program in 1996, using funds secured from Club Cruceros de La Paz. In February, 1999, after the death of Father Luis, Trinity Lutheran Church of Vancouver, Washington, indicated a desire to help support this program.
Therefore, at this time, 2008, the Catholic church coordinates the breakfast program, with the Foundation only supplying fruit three days a week, chicken one day a week, and a few other items as needed. Funds to purchase the food are from Trinity Lutheran Church. 70 children eat their meal in the breakfast kitchen, while an additional 40 children are given fruit at a school in La Fortuna, located a half hour from the kitchen.
The population of La Paz has grown rapidly in the past 15 years, including the number of people who live in the colonias served by the breakfast kitchen. During this time other neighborhoods (Laguna Azul, Villas de Guadalupe and Vista Hermosa) have developed even further from town; the children from these areas could not easily walk to the breakfast kitchen. In addition, the facilities, both human and physical, were being used to their maximum capacity.
A new facility was built in Colonia Laguna Azul, and beginning in September, 2003, an average of 150 children have lunch in the new dining room five days a week during the school year. Some women of the neighborhood do the work of preparation, serving, and clean-up.
The Family Development Department of Baja California Sur (DIF) is helping by providing rice, beans and other nonperishable food items for the meals. Money from the annual Subasta (Auction) put on by Club Cruceros de La Paz, A.C., is used to purchase the weekly supply of fruit, meat, eggs and other items necessary to prepare a complete meal. A large local super market, Centro Comercial Californiano (CCC) has an occasional “redondeo” program where clients donate their small change from their purchases to the program.
The people of the neighborhood also use this new dining room building for meetings and for adult education classes for colonia residents among other things. Summer workshops are given to the children by the “Casa de Cultura” and DIF. The building also is utilized as a hurricane shelter when necessary.
We thank all those who have donated to this cause. Together we are able help to the children obtain proper nutrition.
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