A big thanks to all those who have made a huge difference already!
Together, We'll Make a Difference!
Help us Give Kids A Chance
March 2024 Dental Treatments for the Kids
A Big Thank You to our Volunteer Dental Team
Dr. Jakson Perero, Dr. Byron Perero and Yolanda Totoy of Centro Odontológico, “JackDental”, of La Libertad, brought their mobile clinic to Los Ficus Sur in March.
Without their generous donation, many of the children in this barrio would never have received essential dental care.
On just one day, this team treated 34 children with exams, cleaning, brushing training, and 29 extractions.
A big shout out to this wonderful team that helped Give Kids a Chance.
Imagine being Pregnant, Diabetic, and Your Home is Destroyed
First the Floods Came
First the Floods Came
First the Floods Came
Elizabeth and her family were among those whose homes were badly flooded months ago. We had to move her house to stabilize the ground beneath it. What you see behind her is all that’s left. Just enough for a bed. The cana walls were so wet, they collapsed in the move.
It will cost $300 to rebuild.
Please consider helping Elizabeth and her family get back the rest of their home.
And now... Diabetes
First the Floods Came
First the Floods Came
And now, amidst the disruption thanks to floods, Elizabeth needs insulin and testing strips as she is diabetic. Her pregnancy and her life are in danger because of her inability to afford and store insulin.
Enter GKAC. We are providing her with inslin and test strips, and a generous donor has given us a refrigerator that is in the remains of her house. We do need financial support to continue providing the diabetic supplies. Can you help?
The Gift of Hearing is Giving Alfredo a Chance
Help Alfredo Hear and Learn
This is Alfredo. He is 14 and was diagnosed as deaf from birth. He goes to school every day, but sits in the back of the room in silence because there is no accomodation or help for hearing-impaired students.
He barely could pronounce two or three words, but we gave him amplifiers and now he can hear a little bit.
One of the barrio moms grew up with hearing impaired parents, so we hired her to work with him. It's a huge benefit to him, and it gives her some employment as well - win, win!
He can hear, but the amplifiers are not programmed for what he needs. We have reached out to groups here but no one does hearing aid assessment or will assit in the purchase.
This video shows him learning to speak, read and write the alphabet. He now knows 15 words, most of which are well pronounced. Imagine what could happen with proper hearing aids and rehabilitation?
Do you know someone who can help him with properly programmed hearing aids?
CLICK the photo above to see the video as Alfredo shares his excitement at learning.
Incontinence Stopped Him from Going to School
This is Angel.
He is a sweet child, but a physical condition has made it impossible for him to control his bladder.
He needs to go to school, of course, but could not go without diapers.
Enter GKAC, because education is one way out for these children to have a chance for a better life. We provide diapers, but as you can imagine, these are expensive.
Can you help us help Angel so that he has every opportunity to learn and grow?
Whether it is with a single donation, a monthly contribution, or purchasing tickets for the Lucky 50/50 Draw, you can make a huge difference in Angel's life, along with many other children in the barrio.
About GKAC
Nutrition is Key
Mothers and children attend quarterly nutrition classes, which certifies them for biweekly fresh fruits and vegetables.
Training for the future
We assist mothers to become autonomous by teaching life skills. We focus on business training and giving assistance with start-up funding. We also teach English and offer grade school tutoring.
Providing Medical Services
Basic Medical Needs
Basic Medical Needs
Basic Medical Needs
This little guy has Down's Syndrome and needed diapers to be able to go to school. GKAC makes sure he can get an education.
Physical Therapy
Basic Medical Needs
Basic Medical Needs
A physical therapist came to show some of the moms how to do physical therapy on another mom who had seizures and was bedridden.
Medical Attention
Basic Medical Needs
Medical Attention
This little baby suffered with impetigo for months until GKAC learned of him and our Angel Doctor got him the medication he needed.
Education
Tutoring
Women's Health Class
Women's Health Class
Tutors come in once a week to help children that are falling behind. English lessons are also offered to adults and children to help them have even more opportunities in life.
Women's Health Class
Women's Health Class
Women's Health Class
Doctora Mary Pereda has generously volunteered her time to help educate moms and their teens about their bodies and reproduction.
Nutrition
Women's Health Class
Clothing Donation Day
In addition to the nutrition classes, qualifying families receive fresh fruit and vegetable packges every two weeks.
Clothing Donation Day
Clothing Donation Day
Clothing Donation Day
Thanks to generous donors, we are able to help moms dress to present themselves with confidence, and ensure their children are clothed appropriately no matter the season.
Opportunity
Clothing Donation Day
School Supplies
The barrio moms are running many of the programs themselves, learning essential skills that they can use as they develop and run their own businesses within the community.
School Supplies
Clothing Donation Day
School Supplies
While education is free, every child must wear a uniform, and bring their own supplies to school. Our Back-to-School drive provided dozens of children with backpacks and the necessary supplies to help them learn.
How You Can Help
A small thing like a safe place to sleep with a real bed and a dedicated space to do homework can change the life of a child.
Give Kids a Chance has worked with volunteers and generous donors to provide nutritious fruits and vegetables and make living conditions safer and healthier so that children can grow and thrive. With better health, they can learn and dream.
You can help us help more children feel that there is hope, and let them see that they can make the most of their lives.
Your one-time donation or monthly pledge can make a world of difference.
The Core Team at GKAC
Denise Pisarri Hulbert
As is so often the case, a chance encounter brought Denise to the barrio Los Ficus Sur. The circumstances of the child she had befriended inspired Denise to help one little girl have a safe place to sleep. From there, she knew that the child, her mother, her family, and the community deserved a better future. She has dedicated her time, energy, and resources to making that happen. Her passion has motivated the moms and the children to imagine the possibility of life outside the barrio. We know that children learn what they live - Denise is helping them learn that there is more.
Hugues and Nathalie Baril
Retired Canadians in Salinas, Hugues and Nathalie love to live on the coast of Ecuador. But after a few months of living on the coast they needed to find something to occupy their time. They are familiar with charitable work; Hugues having been member of the Rotary Club for more than 20 years and Nathalie having been a member of the Well-Being Committee for ten years in her workplace. They were happy to land a hand when Denise, an expat friend, asked if they were interested in helping in a charitable cause. Little did they know that a hand wasn’t enough, they needed both arms and legs for those families in need. That little help became a mission, and the friendship became an alliance, fertile ground for ideas to help the Barrio Los Ficus Sur. GKAC is their way of thanking this welcoming country that allows them the dream of living their retirement years under the sun.
Many Hands Make a Difference
Fresh Produce from Helpful Vendors
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
We support our local Vendors in the La Libertad Mercado by purchasing the fruits and vegetables directly from small businesses who also benefit from the programs.
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Every two weeks, volunteers get together to deliver the fresh fruits and vegetables to the barrio, while barrio moms ensure the food gets into the hands of those who need it.
Helping Each Other
Helping Each Other
Helping Each Other
These barrio moms have grown so much and are now running some of the programs and getting ready to start a small local business. They are the hardest working part of GKAC La Libertad!
It's Not All Work!
Helping Each Other
Helping Each Other
Many of the children had never had an opportunity to spend a day at the beach or to visit with Papa Noel. With the help of volunteers and generous donors, they now have memories to last a lifetime.