Our Visit To Mahahual With Joana & Vieve

Babaloo · 10-25-2007

Today, Joana, Vieve, Susie and I headed down to Mahahual to deliver some goods.
The Big Red Hump was packed with mostly clothing donated by kids from Canada.
I'm sorry I don't know the specifics...maybe someone can chime in with the details.
Upon arrival, Joana wanted to meet with Doctor Oscar to determine if there is any need for medical assistance and to learn the best way to distribute the clothing.
Joana and Doctor Oscar:

Afterwards we go for a bite to eat and await a meet-up with Kevin and Otto. Kevin seems to be the man-in-the-know about where the clothing is most needed at the moment.
The ladies heading to lunch:

Susie finishing up lunch - good empananas!

A local pup getting her lunch from Joana:

We meet up with Kevin and he turns us over to Otto. We head over to Otto's place to load up with water, baby food and cookies.
Sorry...at this point we are working with 2 nearly dead cameras and we were being a bit cautious in not overdoing the picture taking. I hate that we didn't get a picture of Otto.

Then on to KM55...a small neighborhood of folks with greater needs than most of Mahahual.
Misc. pics:

There are still great needs down there.
The Playa Pals have done an incredible job and deserve another

...as does Jamnkats & family as well as all of the other un-named "heroes"

Kevin says the primary need now is for roofing materials. We need to get these folks under a dry roof and out of the elements as much as possible.
One thing also seemed to be lacking was sandals and shoes. If we can come up with a plan to acquire a bulk of sandals/shoes, Joana wants to make another trip down.

We're in!

**Susie Q Roo** · 10-25-2007

Can I just say again that Joana is SOOSOOO much prettier than her avatar? (Please don't hit me, Joana!

) And she's a real sweetheart, too. And so is Vieve, but I already knew that.

It was a great day, and a heartbreaker, too, along with being heartWARMing. These are such wonderful people... not only the ones we traveled with but those who were so grateful and appreciative of our contributions to their recovery. So glad we finally made it down.

ANDY&JEN · 10-25-2007

Nice one guys

good on you all for doing this and thanks for the pics
especially this one

Hey maybe see y`all here at the shelter on saturday

.
.

cpfstich · 10-25-2007

Rick, etal.... people like you are why I am extremely proud to be a member of this forum and why I treasure having met you and Susie in person. Thank you for what you are doing, I will try in my own little way to help.

Seakony · 10-25-2007

Nice report....just curious, did the Mexican govt ever step up to the plate?

redhairgirl1 · 10-25-2007

Wow! You guys are freaken awesome

MWC · 10-25-2007

Wonderful work, you guys!

Dr. Oscar looks like he is ready to propose on the spot to our lovely Joana!

MartyC · 10-25-2007

What a wonderful thing that the Playapals and the forum members have not let up on this inportant work. Congrats to all of you.

sunrlb · 10-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWC

Wonderful work, you guys!

Dr. Oscar looks like he is ready to propose on the spot to our lovely Joana!

HA! that was my thought also when I saw the pic.

It amazes me that the families living under these conditions are able to keep their children clean. I have all the luxuries that should able me to keep my kids spotless but I am always FOILED. I have to have their secret!

I brought a few shoes in September. I won't be down again until earlier April. Has a "sandals" account been set up? I'll make a donation. Can we still donate through Playa Pals?

**Susie Q Roo** · 10-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrlb

...It amazes me that the families living under these conditions are able to keep their children clean. I have all the luxuries that should able me to keep my kids spotless but I am always FOILED. I have to have their secret!

...

Well, ONE of their secrets in these photos is that a lot of them had on clothes that were straight out of the donation bags! The moms just pulled them out, tried them on them, and left them there. But, for the most part, their sweet little faces weren't dirty either.

There was one little girl about 10 years old who was so proud of her English and spoke what she knew really well. I think she broke all of our hearts when she asked us our names and, at the end, hugged us and said, "You're beautiful!"

jamesblonde · 10-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

.

There was one little girl about 10 years old who was so proud of her English and spoke what she knew really well. I think she broke all of our hearts when she asked us our names and, at the end, hugged us and said, "You're beautiful!"

That is so sweet. The pictures are fantastic. What a wonderful thing you guys are doing

Tbonita · 10-25-2007

Quote:

There was one little girl about 10 years old who was so proud of her English and spoke what she knew really well. I think she broke all of our hearts when she asked us our names and, at the end, hugged us and said, "You're beautiful!"

And now I'm crying like a big baby !

How wonderful of you all to do what you did for these people.

I humbly applaud you !

sunrlb · 10-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

Well, ONE of their secrets in these photos is that a lot of them had on clothes that were straight out of the donation bags! The moms just pulled them out, tried them on them, and left them there. But, for the most part, their sweet little faces weren't dirty either.

There was one little girl about 10 years old who was so proud of her English and spoke what she knew really well. I think she broke all of our hearts when she asked us our names and, at the end, hugged us and said, "You're beautiful!"

OMG - how did you find the strength to walk out of that hug.......probably a moment in time that will never be forgotten.

vieve · 10-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Today, Joana, Vieve, Susie and I headed down to Mahahual to deliver some goods.
The Big Red Hump was packed with mostly clothing donated by kids from Canada.
I'm sorry I don't know the specifics...maybe someone can chime in with the details.
Then on to KM55...a small neighborhood of folks with greater needs than most of Mahahual.
Misc. pics:

The Playa Pals have done an incredible job and deserve another

...as does Jamnkats & family as well as all of the other un-named "heroes"

Kevin says the primary need now is for roofing materials. We need to get these folks under a dry roof and out of the elements as much as possible.
One thing also seemed to be lacking was sandals and shoes. If we can come up with a plan to acquire a bulk of sandals/shoes, Joana wants to make another trip down.

We're in!

It was truly an amazing day...thank you so much Susie, Rick and Joana for sharing it with me-I can't imagine better company! And Rick, here's to you

for driving

!

I am in tears AGAIN looking at these pictures. The little girl here in the blue dress was the hugger... Her name is Cyndi and she was so proud to be able to tell us that in English, among other things, that she goes to "school." When she reached up and hugged me I teared up and pretty much stayed that way the entire time we were with them.
In addition to clothing, there were some toys donated by playa.info peeps and my daughter Ally and some school supplies especially donated by a class of Canadian? 5 year-olds.

Thank you, Maximillian Pinceanu!The children were so happy to get the crayons and notebooks.I read them your note and they said thank you. They all asked for a pencil from the one pack we had...this would be something else they could use more of...and also books in Spanish!!!

Those children were all so affectionate, friendly and...barefoot. And not only are there debris and scraps of metal all over the ground, but pools of stagnant water- and consequently man-eating mosquitoes. I am so happy that Joana, Rick and Susie want to go back soon-I am going in search of sandals and more repellent for them to take.
A big thank you to Claudia for arranging for us to pick up clothing, school supplies and repellent.
Rick is right, the Playa Pals and Claudia, Kevin and Otto(and I hope I have a picture of him)and all of you who have donated to Mahahual have done a great thing - words can't really do it justice, perhaps the pictures of those beautiful children tell the story best.

Joana · 10-25-2007

Right. Sitting at La Rana and almost bawling.

All I say to Vieve, Susie and Rick is "Stand by me".............

These folks need more help. Soon. Get the message out, get donations down here with folks who come- make them contact the wonderful folks who started this (or me).

Can't say more. All has been said and words don't convey.

10-25-2007	#1 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 11,007	Our Visit To Mahahual With Joana & Vieve Today, Joana, Vieve, Susie and I headed down to Mahahual to deliver some goods. The Big Red Hump was packed with mostly clothing donated by kids from Canada. I'm sorry I don't know the specifics...maybe someone can chime in with the details. Upon arrival, Joana wanted to meet with Doctor Oscar to determine if there is any need for medical assistance and to learn the best way to distribute the clothing. Joana and Doctor Oscar: Afterwards we go for a bite to eat and await a meet-up with Kevin and Otto. Kevin seems to be the man-in-the-know about where the clothing is most needed at the moment. The ladies heading to lunch: Susie finishing up lunch - good empananas! A local pup getting her lunch from Joana: We meet up with Kevin and he turns us over to Otto. We head over to Otto's place to load up with water, baby food and cookies. Sorry...at this point we are working with 2 nearly dead cameras and we were being a bit cautious in not overdoing the picture taking. I hate that we didn't get a picture of Otto. Then on to KM55...a small neighborhood of folks with greater needs than most of Mahahual. Misc. pics: There are still great needs down there. The Playa Pals have done an incredible job and deserve another ...as does Jamnkats & family as well as all of the other un-named "heroes" Kevin says the primary need now is for roofing materials. We need to get these folks under a dry roof and out of the elements as much as possible. One thing also seemed to be lacking was sandals and shoes. If we can come up with a plan to acquire a bulk of sandals/shoes, Joana wants to make another trip down. We're in! __________________

10-25-2007	#2 (permalink)
Susie Q Roo paradisiac Join Date: May 2003 Location: Q Roo Posts: 11,925	Can I just say again that Joana is SOOSOOO much prettier than her avatar? (Please don't hit me, Joana! ) And she's a real sweetheart, too. And so is Vieve, but I already knew that. It was a great day, and a heartbreaker, too, along with being heartWARMing. These are such wonderful people... not only the ones we traveled with but those who were so grateful and appreciative of our contributions to their recovery. So glad we finally made it down.

10-25-2007	#3 (permalink)
ANDY&JEN añejo Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In the midst of chaos Posts: 3,487	Nice one guys good on you all for doing this and thanks for the pics especially this one Hey maybe see y`all here at the shelter on saturday . .

10-25-2007	#4 (permalink)
cpfstich el poli Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 11,437	Rick, etal.... people like you are why I am extremely proud to be a member of this forum and why I treasure having met you and Susie in person. Thank you for what you are doing, I will try in my own little way to help.

10-25-2007	#5 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,151	Nice report....just curious, did the Mexican govt ever step up to the plate?

10-25-2007	#6 (permalink)
redhairgirl1 añejo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: toledo, ohio Posts: 7,217	Wow! You guys are freaken awesome

10-25-2007	#7 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,197	Wonderful work, you guys! Dr. Oscar looks like he is ready to propose on the spot to our lovely Joana!

10-25-2007	#8 (permalink)
MartyC life=playa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 647	What a wonderful thing that the Playapals and the forum members have not let up on this inportant work. Congrats to all of you.

10-25-2007	#15 (permalink)
Joana Niiiice!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: With Quincy....... Posts: 5,183	Right. Sitting at La Rana and almost bawling. All I say to Vieve, Susie and Rick is "Stand by me"............. These folks need more help. Soon. Get the message out, get donations down here with folks who come- make them contact the wonderful folks who started this (or me). Can't say more. All has been said and words don't convey.

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