In a letter to the Dehonian Missionary Family, Sister Anna Kurysz SSCJ, director of an orphanage in Cochabamba covered by the "Adoption of Love" project, writes about the daily life of the orphanage and the dream we are responding to in our latest project, "Share the Warmth."
Dear Padrinos,
Together with all the girls and sisters, I send you our heartfelt regards.
This year, 60 girls of various ages have found shelter in our home. I believe I am not exaggerating when I say that, through God’s mercy and with your help, we have saved 60 human lives, 60 childhoods, giving each one a chance to pursue the quiet dreams hidden deep within their hearts.
We sincerely thank all our Donors — thanks to your contributions from last year’s 1.5%, we were able to build a sports field. Today, it’s a space where the children play, learn to dance, and simply enjoy being kids. Thank you!
We were especially touched by the February visit of our Padrinos (Spanish for godparents; that’s what the children of Cochabamba call their benefactors from Poland - editor's note). Your visit brought us immense joy. The girls learned how to bake gingerbread, dance the Polonaise, and sing in Polish. Thank you for celebrating Holy Mass and praying the Rosary together - in Spanish, Polish, and Quechua. These are moments we will never forget.
DZIĘKUJEMY – GRACIAS – PACHI!
Our youngest girl, Angela*, turned four in April. Doctors said she had no chance of survival. She was dying of starvation, pneumonia, and grief, lying next to her cancer-stricken mother, who eventually passed away. A few days after the funeral, Angela came to us with her two older sisters. She did not speak or walk, only cried and screamed. Today, after a year in our home, this little one runs around the yard, eats with appetite, her sores have healed, and only the dark patches on her skin remind us of how sick she once was. Sadly, her little brother passed away just days before her mother. It is a miracle that she survived, and that miracle happened thanks to your prayers and support. We know we can't help everyone, that's impossible, but we do our best for those who knock on our door.
Over the years, we’ve noticed a shift in why children are brought to us. In the past, it was mostly due to the death of loved ones, extreme poverty, abandonment, or child labor exploitation. Today, more and more of the girls we receive are victims of rape, often committed by those closest to them i fathers, brothers, uncles.
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Some of these are young teenage mothers, who were raped and now struggle with severe trauma. They ask us to care for their children, unable to even look at them, because the child is a constant reminder of what they endured. One of these girls tried to poison her daughter, little Sofia*. Miraculously, the child was saved. Today, she is six years old - tiny for her age, but happy. She has friends and goes to school. After four years of absence, her mother returned. Seeing Sofia alive and smiling was, for her, a sign of blessing and forgiveness for the harm she had once caused.
The wounded worlds of both mother and child need time and professional help to heal. The children experience both moments of joyful enthusiasm and weeks of depression when no one from their so-called family comes to visit. Some girls manage to reclaim their lives. They study and help care for the younger ones. But sadly, there are also those who are unable to overcome their past. They leave, full of resentment, carrying the pain that those who should have loved and fought for them never did. It is much easier to survive poverty than to carry the weight of being unwanted or abandoned. And so, as we assure you of our prayers through the Rosary, we also humbly ask for yours - for our children, that they may overcome the sadness, anger, and despair within them, and come to know that God truly is Love, that He watches over them and desires to walk beside them with His blessing, even through the most difficult times. We also ask you to pray for us, the Sisters, that God may grant us patience and wisdom, so that we may support the girls as they grow up, both spiritually and in their education and life skills.
This year has been particularly difficult due to frequent strikes that paralyze the entire country. During roadblocks, Cochabamba is completely cut off - supplies stop coming, and we often have to stand in line for fuel for dozens of hours. Prices for everything have skyrocketed, but thanks to your donations we are still able to buy food, medicine, school supplies, clothes, and pay for tuition and tutors who help the children with their homework and exam preparation.
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On June 24, winter began here in Bolivia, and it’s truly cold. At over 2,500 meters above sea level, temperatures vary drastically. With no heating in the house, we spend our days in sweaters and jackets, and sleep in sweatpants — it’s hard to fall asleep when you're shivering from the cold. We dream of having new double-glazed windows to better insulate the house and help keep the children warm during the cold months.
We entrust all our intentions to the Merciful Heart of Jesus, and trust that with God’s grace, and your continued help, we will be able to continue this mission among the children of Bolivia. May the Heart of God bless us all!
With prayers and gratitude +
Sr. Anna Kurysz SSCJ
director of the St. Francis Home for Girls
in Cochabamba, Bolivia
* All names mentioned in the letter have been changed due to the protection of personal data of the charges of Adoption of Love.
Support the replacement of old windows and help provide warmth to the children of Cochabamba.
Bank account numbers for money transfers are:
For $: PL 52 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0009; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For €: PL 41 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0013; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For others: IBAN: PL 79 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0008; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
