Michael has participated in a charity poker event ever since we learned about it last October. It costs $7.00 to buy in, and all the money raised goes to a great cause. The funds raised buy food for residents that live in an "Orphanage" in the Yunguilla Valley, the facility is named "Messengers of Peace" and is located about an hour outside of Cuenca.
We were lucky enough to have met, had dinner, and been invited to the home of Will and Valerie Lacy. They were huge supporters of this facility.
With sadness, I have to say that Will passed away about six months ago, but with happiness, I can say, that the Poker Trophy is now named after Will because of his and Valerie's efforts to support "The Messengers of Peace Orphanage".
At the end of the tournament, whoever is the chip leader wins the "Will Lacy Trophy", and all money raised is donated to the Orphanage.
Michael went to the "Orphanage" for the first time this week. He went with our neighbor Mariela and her husband. Mariela takes the money raised from the charity Poker tournament and buys food for the residents of the "Orphanage".
Her devotion to the facility is amazing,
she is out there two to three times a week.
It is an inspiring experience to go to this place.
Entrance to the "Orphanage"
Buildings on the grounds.
A beautiful setting for the facility.
The less disabled residents go to work at a nearby rose farm, the more profoundly disabled residents stay at the facility. Some of the residents that spend their days at the "Orphanage" go to school on the grounds, and others work in the "Soap Factory".
Some Pic's:
Residents that work on the Rose Farms heading out for their work day.
It gives them a purpose and pride.
Residents and a few Counselors posing for Michael.
Happy residents with a new puppy.
The Orphange raises pigs for sale and consumption. Yeah, the little guys are cute, but a fact of life is that these Pigs will bring money to the facility, and feed the residents.
Goats provide milk and cheese, they are also for sale and consumption.
This is the walkway down to the soap factory that Michael spent his day working with the residents.
Soap products produced at Messengers of Peace. Some of the money from the sale of the soap products is "paid" to the residents for their work, it gives them a little bit of pocket money and the rest of the money goes to the facility.
Michael had a great time working with the residents (that is our term, they are called "kids" at the facility) making and bottling soap products.
Apparently, one bottle Michael sent down the line WAS NOT UP TO THEIR STANDARDS!! A worker brought it back to him and explained what he needed to do to correct the problem. They are really proud of what they do, and Michael was not allowed to make a sub-standard bottle of soap.
Residents.
This guy was totally enamored with Michael's beard, so Michael rubbed the guy's chin, apparently he had a few sprouts of hair, and Michael told him he was on his way to growing one like Michael's. That made this man smile and laugh.
I met his couple when I was there as well.
They are very devoted to each other.
Workers in the Soap Factory.
Michael with his fellow Soap Factory workers.
When I was there, I was intoduced as a Norte Americano that had come to help, and EVERY resident came and kissed and hugged me. The same thing happened when Michael went there, although, they were TOTALLY fascinated with Michael's beard, and blond hair. He got lots of smiles.
We are hoping to go back together.
Michael contributed a few hours working in the Soap Factory, and made the residents of "The Messengers of Peace" facility happy with his smile.
Ecuador, gotta love it.
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