Hunger Games, Real Life

Hunger Games, real life. That's all I could think of. We drove through the industrial district of Tijuana, Mexico this weekend while visiting our first-ever HALO supported home. The workers make $4 - $7 per day and live in shacks lined up on the mountainsides. As a little girl played on a disgusting rusted mattress atop the one room shack where she lived, I remembered that I live in the Capital on Hunger Games. I do. People live like this all over the world as they make t-shirts that I buy for $10. These shacks are the types of places our youth lived in before they were part of HALO. They were also  severely neglected. Every HALO trip comes with a realization like this. It overwhelms me.

The other realization I had was at the orphanage we have supported for 9 years. The kids are growing up. The 12 year olds are now 21. HALO has invested in the education of the youth in this home, hoping to change the course of their futures. Over 80% of the children in this home have been abused. The children used to attend schools in the area but because of their backgrounds, the kids needed more attention.

At HALO, we take every dollar very seriously with the goal of making the most impact with every single gift. Nine years ago, we made the decision to invest donations in the future of these youth and we have gotten an incredible return. Walking through the halls of their school this weekend brought tears to my eyes. The success stories go on and on. Kathy grew up there and now has a law degree, working at the border. 3 more students are studying law. Another girl is on her way to becoming a chef and cooks the meals at the orphanage during her time off at school. A few others have gone on to be cosmetologists. They live in an apartment together. Nine years later we get to see that IT IS WORKING.


Without these success stories to balance out the sadness of the situation in the poorest areas of the world (including the US), I wouldn't last long in this line of work. But with just one of these stories, I am idealistic and ready to fight. The fact that the HALO Family has been able to take even just one child from the absolute worst circumstance and give her permission and tools to dream has given you and I the permission and tools to dream as well.



Mexico Home immediate needs:

35 mattresses at $38 each
35 sheets at $5 each
35 blankets (fleece quilts - need these to be made)
2 additional staff members

Please leave a comment if you are interested in helping with one of these needs or other needs of HALO youth. Thank you!