ExpatWomen: Pamela, eight years ago you were living an outdoor lifestyle in Queensland, Australia. What took you and your husband Alan to México in the year 2000?
Pamela: Originally, Alan and I came to México to do twelve months volunteer work in an orphanage. We felt that we had a good life in Australia and this was an opportunity to give something back to society. We had raised six wonderful children, whom we are very proud of and, now we have seven beautiful grandchildren. Thankfully we are all healthy and Alan and I are both fortunate to have our parents still living. We were not wealthy but ‘life' had been good to us so, here we are, two ordinary people, doing an extraordinary job in a foreign land.
ExpatWomen: After six months helping at the refuge (an orphanage in Tapachula, Chiapas, México), all organizational funding was withdrawn and you were literally left on the doorstep with the refuge's children. How did this make you feel and what ultimately motivated you to sell your home in Australia to further fund the refuge?
Pamela: When we were left with having to make a decision of whether we should leave or stay, we felt we were pulled in two directions. The logical thing was to leave as we had no resources to support a refuge, let alone a refuge in a foreign country. But, on the other hand, we had grown attached to the children in our care and wondered, ‘Who would look after them? Would they end up back on the streets because nobody cared?' We couldn't do it, we couldn't leave them. With a huge leap of faith, we decided to stay, relying on God to provide. Little-by-little we gradually gained support. We used our savings to establish Misión México. We also sold our house and with the money from this we invested in a small unit to rent out to cover our personal needs and travel expenses and the rest has gradually gone into the refuge.
ExpatWomen: Can you please share more with us about the goal of Misión México and how many children you have helped?
Pamela: The refuge started with seven children and now Misión México has close to 50! Along the journey we have helped hundreds of children. At one stage, we helped Immigration by looking after children on a temporary basis, who were victims of ‘trafficking' to the United States. We have also helped many children who were victims of domestic problems (who have now been reintegrated into their families). Our main goal is to help children from the streets and who have been abused, abandoned or orphaned on a more permanent basis by providing a loving, caring home where they will receive a good education and be equipped for the future. Hopefully we will be able to break the cycle of poverty through education for these children.
ExpatWomen: Please tell us some positive stories about some of the children that have been cared for by Misión México?
Pamela: One of our older boys came from a dysfunctional family where he suffered severe abuse as a small child. He ended up on the streets at a young age and by 10 was taking and selling drugs. Misión México received this boy at the age of 11 years. We have had many ‘ups and downs' with this young man but we are happy to report that he is now very focused and studying his Senior High and wants to go to university. He told us recently that if he hadn't come to Misión México he would surely be dead by now. One of our younger children was starved and almost died. We received him after ten days in hospital, a bundle of skin and bones. This little fellow is now in the second year of kinder. He has a remarkable memory and can recite small books, word for word, without reading. He is learning English as a second language and can sing songs in both languages. He is soon to have a second eye operation to straighten his left eye. This little character has a very bright future and is loved by everyone at Misión México.
ExpatWomen: How do you raise additional funds for the refuge and what are some of the ways that volunteers might be able to help you?
Pamela: Misión México relies on donations to survive. Obviously, raising the money needed to run the refuge is a constant worry. Over the years our support has increased but so has the number of children. We started with 7 children but now we have 50 and 28 of those children are teenagers with extra needs. People can help Misión México by becoming ongoing supporters. A steady income from supporters will provide for the children all the basics, that is, for their education and personal needs. All the children are attending school which creates a huge expense; fees, uniforms, shoes, books etc. Regular support will relieve the stress of worrying about, ‘How are we going to provide?' People can also help by raising money through ‘fundraising events' such as, exhibitions, auctions, breakfasts, raffles etc. This form of support will help to provide funds for projects, such as, a new roof, new vehicle, outside toilets, pushbike shed, etc. Child sponsorship and one off donations are also welcome. Every little bit helps. Together we can make a difference.
Volunteers are also welcome. They need to go to the website and send the necessary information. Work here is hard and it isn't suited to everyone but those who have some talent that they could share with the children and, are not afraid of some hard work, are most welcome to come.
ExpatWomen: What's next for you and Alan: do you see yourself repatriating any time soon?
Pamela: Alan and I don't see ourselves leaving in the near future: there is still a lot of work to do. The work we are doing is demanding, challenging and exhausting. At times we wonder where we are going to get the strength to continue. There are many trials and tribulations with this kind of work, though, there are also many rewards. The joy of seeing these children grow and develop and become fine young adults who are prepared for the future is what it is all about. There will be great satisfaction to attend their graduations. They have come a long way in the time that we have had them but they still have a long way to go.
ExpatWomen: Pamela, thank you very much your time. We applaud your commitment and dedication to the street kids of México and we wish great longevity to Misión México.
Pamela: We are grateful to have had the opportunity to help these kids on the journey through life. For more information about Misión México and how you can help please visit http://www.lovelifehope.com or email info@lovelifehope.com. Thank you.
