From the office of Nathalie Fiset M.D.	Hi! Since 2004 I have had the privilege to do seven medical missions in Honduras, Bolivia and Mexico where we offered free medical clinics to the people in need.

A typical 'house' in the Colony named La Gloria.

I was very surprised to realize that the poorest people were found in Mexico. There are places in the North of Mexico called 'Colonias' where people live with no mains water, no electricity and no commodities. Basically they build their shelters with whatever they find: pieces of wood, old abandoned furniture, tires, etc. Most houses do not have a floor and people just walk on dirt. A Street in La Gloria.

People living in this colony rely only on themselves and a missionary was telling me that they ask that garbage be dumped near their house so they can use the material or clean the plastic objects and resell them for recycling in exchange for a small amount of money.

For a couple of months I had a project in my mind to build something significant alongside my father, a retired energetic electrical foreman. I shared my project with a Franciscan father who has been working in the Colonias for the past years.

As I was explaining my project to Father Wandrille, his face lit up!

It turned out that the Franciscan community is the owner of land in the Colonia La Gloria and is planning to build a church, a school, a community kitchen and a sewing center for the women. The project is at a standstill because they have neither the money nor the manpower to build it!

Father Wandrille then guided me around La Gloria and proudly showed me "The Cathedral" they had built. I must admit in shame that I was struck by incontrollable laughter when I realized that the Cathedral was missing half a roof and the 'door' stayed in the Father's hands as he opened it.

The "Cathedral" in La Gloria is missing part of its roof and has a collapsible door. The interior - well, you can see!

Honestly, this building has not gone through a hurricane and storm season yet and the odds are good it will not stand long.

Nevertheless, I knew that this land was perfect for the project planned by my father and me. When I do medical missions, I always attend to the needs of the children and it came naturally that we should be the ones building the school. After all, most children born in La Gloria never get to finish their primary school and that perpetuates the cycle of poverty.

We are determined to build this school for the children in La Gloria rapidly as the needs are urgent. I, of course, cannot realize this project alone (me and my big mouth!).

In short, we want to have completed the construction of a solid cement block, full roof, fully equipped school before April 1st 2008 and start welcoming children.

In order for the school to take life, I need to raise 12 000$ in a few short months and I need your help to achieve such a challenge.

A contribution of 50$, 100$, 200$ or more from you is what we need to get the school completed. If you feel like you want to participate but are short on cash, please feel free to send whatever amount you can.

Je tiens à  te féliciter pour cette magnifique initiative. Quel grand coeur tu as, je ne peux que t'admirer pour ton courage, ta générosité, ton initiative et ton "guts". You sure are a gutsy lady.

Considère cette petite correction comme ma modeste contribution à  ton projet en attendant mon chèque. Si tu as besoin de quoi que ce soit pour ce projet, André et moi sommes à  ta disposition.

Bonne chance et encore Félicitations.

Suzanne

Hola Nathalie,

Aqui­ te envi­o la traducciion del texto La Gloria. No te voy a enviar ninguna factura por la traduccion, dada la buena intencion del proyecto, es lo menos que puedo hacer...

Mi hijo tiene 17 meses, cuando tenga 3 anos ire¡ a la escuela, tambien me gustaría que esos ninos tengan oportunidad de mejorar en sus vidas, de Aprender, de conseguir mejorar su situacion.

Aqui te mando una foto de mi hijo... Todo lo bueno que quiero para mi Hijo, tambien me gustari­a para esos ninos.

Con paypal te mando una contribucion, pequena pero algo es. Es mi granito De arena, pero si todos pusiesemos algo por poco que sea, ese proyecto de La escuela se har­a realidad.

Un saludo

Laura

I, also, will send you a check later this month. You may count on me to be there to help.

I will begin organizing a crew. I have a contractor friend eager to help. He has extensive experience and would be of great assistance since he is bilingual.

I will spread the word and keep you in my prayers.

Joe