Panterra :: MySchool Journal

Daily Journal

Livingstone School

Baja Gifts Program

The day started with all the students
gathering the gifts they brought for the program.

The next task was sorting.

They were sorted into little kids, boy
and girl, and big kids, boy and girl, gift bags.

Some students already brought a sorted shoe box of gifts.

Once sorted the gift bags were lined up ready for distribution.
We ended up with 16 bags and 6 shoe boxes.

It should also be noted that the school
donated a further $125.00 US cash to the program.

Rees's Timber Trails 4-H Club donated $200.00 US cash.

This money will be accounted for and receipts and
pictures sent to the respective school/organization.

Thank you for your kind donations.

We arrived at the town of San Bartolo we found a road
that led us to the midst of the community and stopped
to ask where we could find families with kids.

It didn't take long to find a trail of kids...

First up, a little youngster shy but happy to
receive a stuffed animal and a little bag of gifts.

Her big sister also received a shoebox of gifts.

This family was excited to receive the gift bags.

The little one was giggling in laughter.
I bet he couldn't wait to see what was in his.

These older kids received school supplies and toiletries.

This young man was shy and kept his distance. Not sure exactly
who we were and what we were doing this for. That's the beauty
of the Baja Gifts Program. None of the recipients really know who
we are and why we do this, they just remember someone doing
something cool that enhanced their lives even but for a moment.
It's all about the heart not the glory.

Troy is a natural with kids. Seemed to have brought
out the happiness and laughter in the kids he gave gifts to.

A mom brings her young daughter out of their home to receive a gift bag.

The Birthday Party and Blessing

As we neared the end of the distribution of the gift bags
and shoeboxes we came across a group of children at
a birthday party. When we approached them they were
very excited but were having a problem trying to fly a kite.

We had to split up the bags and boxes to insure each child received a gift.
This little punkin' was elated with her red and yellow lizard.

This little one received a little "dressed up chicken" stuffed animal.

Group shot of the birthday group and the students.

(keep an eye on the young Mexican girl in the blue shirt)

The young girl in the blue shirt was the birthday girl.
She was such a thoughtful child that she gestured us to follow her.
So we did!

The next thing you know she was climbing a ladder to the
top of her home. She doesn't have a mom and her
grandmother has been caring for her since she was a baby.

She had climbed the ladder to access her grapefruit tree.

Each of us received a gift of a grapefruit. Myself personally, I got
all teary eyed by the beautiful gesture. We then returned to the party.

Meanwhile back at the party, Troy was
determined to get this kite flying for these kids.

See what a little determination can get you,
squeals of happiness from a group of children.
A blessing in disguise!

This concludes the Livingstone contributions to the Baja Gifts Program.

Pretty cool, huh!

(top of page)