During the past few months we have had several changes as for our staff. Teresa, the educator, left; Mariela, the logistician, is on maternity leave. Several substitute teachers have come and gone, and we have had some organization trouble. Mariela takes part in our meetings when she can, bringing her baby, Santiago, with her.

Gabriela, who lives in Canada and is of Colombian descent, has come to El Jardín as a volunteer from AIESEC. She worked with the children encouraging their equality feelings and respect towards diversity.

All the children took part in the activities, which especially appealed to the younger children.

Carol’s theatrical activities are still about strengthening our children’s values.

In December, we celebrated our third anniversary: the girls played a short scene about two moments of their lives—what they were when they came here, rough and impolite, and what they are now, diligent and friendly.

Carmen Aida, our psychopedagogist, explains to the participants the collage the children prepared about their lives before and after their experience at El Jardín.

AIESEC worked with us: a clown entertained the younger children.

in the meantime, Mariela’s little baby, who is simply irresistible, is cuddled by the older girls.

In the last week of our activities before the Christmas holidays, we took advantage of the December sun and organized a picnic in one of the parks of the city.

Few parents took part in it. Only two mothers cooperate with us on a regular basis. Most of the other parents are unfortunately indifferent to the life of their children.

Gabriela said goodbye to El Jardín.

When it’s Christmas, people in Venezuela prepare hallacas, a local and carefully processed dish. The first phase is about washing banana leaves, which is done by the children.

In the meantime, the onions, which are part of the ingredients along with capers, peppers, chickpeas, meat and maize flour, make mothers and teachers cry.

You have to prepare the dough with maize, then fill up the leaves with meat, roll them up and boil them for at least three hours.

We saw that the most effective way to make the parents take part in their children’s lives and El Jardín activities is inviting them over for lunch…

And, at the end of the year, “Direct TV” company gave all the children some presents.