In the Shadow of the Dump: New Beginnings in Puerto Vallarta

 

New Beginnings Mexico is volunteering to help feed the less fortunate who live near the dump outside Puerto Vallarta.

"Pickers," men, women and young people, sort through the garbage hoping to find something to sell, use, or even eat.
In the Shadow of the Dump: New Beginnings in Puerto Vallarta

Every Tuesday and Thursday, volunteers come to help the New Beginnings foundation serve hamburgers or hot dogs to the families living near the dump. While the guys grill the burgers, the women chop onions and tomatoes for the salsa. Getting everything ready for the assembly line. It's an efficient process, developed to feed up to 140 people. This may be the only meat they get during the week.

Other volunteers bring games for the children to play while the food is cooking. This is sort of a picture version of Bingo using stones for chips.

After lunch, some of the children paint, and some paint each other!

Janet Stevenson is teaching the women at the dump to make jewelry so they can help support their families. Their creations are sold at the Farmer's Market and several other venues in Puerto Vallarta. The jewelry is organized and labeled so each woman receives payment for her handiwork.

Despite the heat, the volunteer crew works on finishing more homes. All houses built by New Beginnings now have concrete floors. No more living on mud during the rainy season.

A new community center for church services and classes is underway.

New Beginnings is always looking for volunteers to help with the construction and food services and also welcomes "intentional volunteers" such as doctors, dentists and teachers.

Sponsorships are available with a variety of options. Children and/or families may be sponsored. Specific aspects, such as medical requirements, may be sponsored. Donations provided for a sponsorship are directed to the sponsored individual or family.

For more information and to get involved, email Andy & Janet at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In the Shadow of the Dump

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