El Sauzal Amigo Blog

On Sunday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. the Tacoma Christian Reformed Community Church is hosting a Battle of the Christian Bands to raise support for the El Sauzal Orphanage.  It will take place in the Performing Arts Center of Cascade Christian Jr/Sr High School;  811 21st St SE Puyallup WA 98372.  The cost to attend is $10.00.

Youth for Christ is once again partnering with us and will provide the winning band the right to perform at Big Splash, one of the largest Christian youth events in the Northwest. At this time we are auditioning bands. Any bands wishing to participate should send a demo CD or tape to Pastor Clay Warren 2518 14^th St PL SE. Puyallup

Our logo has the English translation of our name

Orphanage director Josue Espinoza reminded us of the actual, legal name of the El Sauzal Orphanage:

Today… the owner of La Monedita money exchange House, the person who cash the check that arrive to the orphanage, told me that he is not going to be able to cash the check that comes to the P.O. Box and are payable to El Sauzal Orphanage, he said that the checks need to come [to] Hogar Para Niños Necesitados Del Sauzal A.C. that it is the official name of the Orphanage.

[Hogar Para Niños Necesitados Del Sauzal A.C. is Spanish for “Home for Needy Children of El Sauzal”.]

Click here to read more about whether to send your gifts/checks to either the El Sauzal Foundation, Inc. or to Hogar Para Niños Necesitados Del Sauzal A.C.

“Our family outside the entrance.” -Jacob S.

In December, Jacob S., from Idaho, did his Eagle scout project.  After doing some research, he decided to raise money for the Orphanage.  This teen was very successful, raising about $1,800. 

He visited the Orphanage with his family in December to “put a face with the work” he had done.  (He had not been to El Sauzal before.) Jacob wrote the following letter to those who helped him:

Thank you for your generous donation to help me with my Scout Eagle project.  Together we raised almost $1800 for the orphanage, and I was able to go there with my family for our Christmas project.I went on a family vacation to Ensenada , Mexico.  When we got there we played with the kids and helped do chores such as dishes.  It felt great helping the orphanage.

I felt it was a good project because it helped under-privileged children.

Thank you again,

Jacob S.

Thank you so much, Jacob!  We are honored that you chose us for your Eagle Scout work.

“Here I am playing basketball with them.” -Jacob S.

The front of our Christmas card, filled with the faces of our children. 

Here is our 2007 Christmas card.  Did you receive it?  If not, you are probably not on our mailing list.  If you would like receive our two to four newsletters and Christmas card each year, please click here. 

This beautiful card was designed by Gretchen Miner.  We are so grateful for her help.  Gretchen is a talented designer, photographer, mother, and daughter of El Sauzal Foundation board member Pete Legan.  Check out Gretchen’s website, Capture Their Heart Photography.

It reads, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Thank you for everything!  The children, El Sauzal Orphanage”.

We have a new nanny, taking care of the older girls.  Roy Ketring interviewed her and wrote the following article: 

Flor Johanna Orozco López is just 20 years old and has been working at our Orphanage for only two months.  She has in such a short time endeared herself to the girls that she takes care of some of whom are about her age. The Espinoza family speaks highly of her.  She is a committed Christian as is her entire family.  She accepted Jesus into her heart when she was 14 years old. 

Johanna has been working since she was 14 years old to help her family pay the bills.  Her father is a construction worker and during inclement weather there is no work for him.  Johanna continues to help her family financially by sharing some of her salary that she receives working at our Orphanage. 

Before coming to our Orphanage, she had saved up money for a long time to pay the cost of tuition to enter the university but she did not pass the entrance examination.  It is not uncommon for bright students to not be able to pass the State’s entrance exam.  The examination contains numerous unrelated superfluous questions that are designed to fail most of the applicants.  The State school system is inexpensive as compared to private schooling and the entrance examination is designed to eliminate as many as possible. 

She used the money that she had saved for school for dental work on her teeth and has braces.

Johanna was working at a factory before she came to the Orphanage.  A girlfriend told her about this place.  She told me she really likes kids and really enjoys her work here. This will be evident to all who should be privileged to meet her.

I asked her, “What would you like to say to the people that help this place.”  Answer, “That they are very good people with noble hearts not because of the money that they donate but for the love and affection that they give.  I thank them for this.” 

I asked, “Would you like to return to your studies?”  Answer, “Si, I would like to do this some day.” Her long term dream is to become an architect.    

Do you know how long it is that you would like to stay here working with the kids?  Answer, “A long time, I really don’t know how long.”

What goal or dream do you have for this place or for the children?  Answer, “To help them with their studies. I want for them what they want.”

She is a fresh breath of air with a smile that reminds me of sunshine and joy.   -Roy Ketring