ELSA’S STORY

 

She grew up very poor near Veracruz.

She has never owned a new pair of shoes.

They moved to Cuernavaca six months ago.

Her husband works as a helper on construction sites.

He is paid about 600 pesos a week. (About $28 U.S.)

They are able to rent one room to live in.

With their four boys.

You can see their entire home.

No kitchen or refrigerator.

The toilet is outside, behind a curtain.

She tried to enroll her children in school

but they told her there was no room so they would have to wait.

Neighbors told her to come to VAMOS!

At VAMOS! they all get a good meal.

Her boys are learning math and Spanish.

They see the doctor here. 

Now she says she can smile.

Before there was only worry.

Their neighborhood is not safe.

But for two hours each day at VAMOS! she has no worries.

Her boys make friends at VAMOS!

The teachers are so friendly.

VAMOS! is their only school.

Their teachers say they are very smart!

Some days she takes home leftover food from VAMOS!

She says there is not another place in the world like VAMOS!

She said without VAMOS! she doesn't know how she would make it.

​