Year 2000 was a very successful year for Seaside's Outreach in Tecate, Mexico.  Thanks to Seaside members, the Project grew in the number of volunteers and donations. Early in the year, a decision was made to accept only donations of childrens clothes and toys.  For the third year in a row these were sold in Tecate by the Sanchez family whose son attends the PCRS Church and who makes sure the donations get across the border.  Proceeds from these sales are used to fund projects at the orphanages as well as the Juan Escutia Elementary School in Cerro Azul.   Based on this steady flow of cash, a decision was made to deliver food staples, i.e., beans, rice, flour bread, oil, etc. on a monthly basis to the Salvatierra Orphanage in Tecate. The Project is always open to new ideas on how to use these funds.

January, February and March were slow months for the project.  In April, 30 pair of girl's shoes were purchased for the Salvatierra Orphanage. This was followed by three summer outings centered around water. For entertainment, a large portable pool was purchased and various water games were planned. Food was prepared for all three events.  The children absolutely loved the pool.  This was the reason for planning three parties rather than one.

With summer ending, the project prepared the children at the Salvatierra Orphanage for the start of school. Haircuts were given to all the children. As the haircuts were completed each girl received a pair of fantasy earrings.  The event was fun and the haircuts were very much appreciated.

In August, a trip was made to Cerro Azul to assess homes needing roof repairs for the winter.  These homes were the homes of the children whom volunteers had met while doing other projects in the community. Measurements were taken and materials identified. At first it was thought volunteers would do most of the work but upon further investigation, it was decided the need was too great and residents would have to do their own work. Mr. Sanchez coordinated the purchase of materials with the families. Approximately $1000 was used from the sale of clothes to repair roofs.  Also in the month of August with monies almost exhausted, the project was able to contribute $200 to school supplies.  These went to the orphanages and students in the community.

Finally in December the Project ended on a very positive note. This year the Christmas gift-giving took place in Tecate as well as in Tijuana. This was due to the overwhelming response from Seaside both in donations and volunteers. On December 17th, Twenty volunteers along with Santa Claus loaded their vans with gifts and caravaned to Tecate for the Fifth Annual Christmas Gift-Giving.   Volunteers were treated to a program of singing and dancing by the children at the Salvatierra Orphanage. This was followed by story telling in English and Spanish by one of the Seaside volunteers.  The volunteers then made their way to Cerro Azul.  Santa's workshop was in place and volunteers filled in where needed. The gift-giving was followed by the breaking of a Piñata.  The weather was sunny and warm and a good time was had by all.

On December 23rd, the Christmas gift-giving in Tijuana took place.   After looking for a place to donate bags and bags of stuffed toys, blankets and jackets leftover from the December 17th gift-giving, the Project received an invitation to join St. Vincent de Paul on December 23rd for their gift-giving.  The group met at 8 a.m. in Tijuana at the Guadalupe Catholic Church.  It was obvious this project was big and very well organized. Four trucks loaded with blankets, 10 lb. packages of frozen chicken, beans, rice, oil, flour and cookies waited for the rest of the caravan. These were distributed to 2,000 families in 10 colonies throughout Tijuana.  Everyone worked hard and fast. It was a wonderful experience and one that the Project would like to get involved in again next year.

Seaside's Outreach Tecate Project takes this opportunity to say, THANK YOU, Seaside! Our Spirit expresses internationally in a very, very positive way.

Josie Castañeda, RScP

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