Samuel and Paola

Yesterday, we welcomed two new children, Samuel (8), and his sister Paola (7). Samuel and Paola were taken from their mother by the Mexican social services (DIF) on the very day that we received them here at the orphanage. When we asked DIF about the former family and home situation of these children, we were first told that they were never registered after birth (in other words, they have no birth certificate and there is no record of them legally). Without a birth certificate, a child here in Mexico is not allowed to attend public school, so Samuel and Paola have never attended school. We did school activities at the orphanage with them yesterday, and they seem to be very bright and will be quick learners.

Sadly, their two younger siblings, a three-year-old sister and a newborn baby brother, will remain at the DIF orphanage, since DIF seems to be unwilling to give the very young children to private orphanages, even if it means having to separate siblings. Samuel and Paola’s mom is a single mother, who never went to pick up her newborn baby from the hospital when he was released. DIF immediately intervened and found that the other three children had been suffering serious neglect. They even had to beg for money or food sometimes in order to eat. We are happy that Paola and Samuel are now here with us, where they are already learning about God and gaining academic knowledge as well. They are very obedient and polite children and already seem to fit in very well here at the orphanage.