A note from Robin Bakery teaches orphans vocational skills
T
he breeze outside an El Salvador Angels Of Hope orphanage carries an inviting and sweet smell of baked goods. Inside, the boys and girls are kneading dough, greasing pans and baking bread. They are learning how to become pastry chefs.
grade instead of being a freshman in high school, Walter is earning good grades, and he isn’t giving up. “The opportunity to study is the best part of being in the orphanage,” said Walter, who wants to run a bakery of his own when he grows up.
Thanks to generous donors like you, a small bakery was built behind the orphanage. This has not only reduced the orphanage’s costs for buying bread — a favorite food among the children — but is also equipping the children with a vocational skill. “The plan is for them to sell the bread to other communities, so they can make money,” said caregiver Cecilia.
Once his rolls cooled, Walter posed for a photo in front of the oven. “Who’s the most handsome in the home?” asked Cecilia, drawing a smile out of Walter. “Me!” Walter answered with a grin. ❋
On a recent trip to El Salvador, our Food For The Poor team watched 15-year-old Walter bake his first batch of rolls for the day at the orphanage’s bakery. After leaving his rolls to rise for 8 hours, the slender boy placed the dough in the oven to bake for an hour. Our team watched as he carefully checked the batch several times. Once the rolls had risen and browned to his liking, he used two towels to retrieve the tray. “It’s hot!” he said, when the tray touched his forearm. At just 15, Walter is already an experienced baker. He stopped going to school at age 12 to help his family financially by working full time at a bakery. Most mornings he went to work at 3 a.m. His father left long ago, and with his mother in prison for five years for breaking into a home, Walter and his siblings were sent to live in a dangerous, crimeridden neighborhood with their grandmother and uncle. Out of concern, a priest affiliated with the orphanage took the children to their new home. “The priest, and the people here, made me feel loved and welcomed,” Walter said. Thanks to loving supporters like you, Walter’s life is much different now. For the first time in three years, he is attending school. While he’s only in 7th
I want tell you about Artie, a 10-year-old little girl who your loving generosity is helping to heal.
Fall 2013
Artie came to an Angels Of Hope orphanage in Guyana along with her siblings after being abused by her father. Artie told the staff at the orphanage that her father was at his worst when he was doing drugs or drinking alcohol. He would frequently beat their mother and lock the children out of the house.
said that Artie appeared the most Although all the children were abused, the staff she stared blankly into space, looked affected. When she first came to the orphanage, nd. downward and said little when adults were arou ol for the first time. And thanks to the Now, Artie and her siblings are attending scho ing up. loving care they are receiving, they are slowly open ren like her may not be easy, your loyal Although the road to recovery for Artie and child safe and loving Christian environment. compassion has made their healing possible in a “To You the helpless can entrust their cause; You are the defender of orphans.” (Psalm 10:14b) ones like Artie by showing them they You are transforming the lives of precious little the children and dedicated staff at all are cared for and not forgotten. On behalf of all ection through your gifts. May God the orphanages, thank you for giving love and prot continue to bless you. ant of the poor, A serv in G. Mahfood Rob
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“And whoever receives one child such as this in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:5)
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