What is Ciudad de la Alegria?

People come to Cancun searching for better jobs and for a better life for their children. They arrive from all over the Republic of Mexico lacking education, ignorant, and poor. They become part of the societal margins of development. Poor and vulnerable without food, health care, or education, they are a group whose needs are not met. In 2000, a spirited group of Cancun professionals met to concretize a project that would allow them to practice genuine care and concern for others in need. They decided to construct a "city" that would give assistance to a wide range of sectors of the city of Cancun. Their challenges were enormous; they needed to find land, design the buildings, and fundraise. Luckily a group of entrepreneurs were captivated by the idea and during September 2001, the first stone was laid.

Friends University students and faculty have been working in a variety of the "hogares". Each has its special focus group, mission, and support group. Below is a brief description of each "hogar".

1. Hogar de Cobija y Pan (clothing and food dispensary)
• 30,000 needy served each year in marginalized regions of the City
• Supported by Foundation Caritas de Quintana Roo

Below is a picture of those who worked diligently today to sort out clothing for the prison and other facilities. Pictured are Ronnie Davis, Jenna Engels, Sarah Rader, and Claudia Koch.


2. Hogar de Mujer (Womens Home)
• Areas of rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration of women who are victims of violence or abandonment, pregnant teens
• 130 women yearly
• Supported by the Gilberto Foundation
3. Hogar de los Ancianos (Elderly Home)
• The state of Quintana Roo has the highest rate of growth in the elderly. This is the only nursing home in Cancun and serves people who lack resources, have a disability, or are unable to meet basic survival needs.
• 40-60 elderly annually
• Supported by Oasis of Abandoned Elderly
  
  See the picture below of Nathan Thompson as he serves one of the patients. Notice how she is holding onto his shirt.
  
  
4. Hogar Cafarnaum (care for adults and children suffering from terminal diseases like AIDS)
• This is the only AIDS hospice program in the state of Quintana Roo.
• Supported by Paipid Inc.
5. Hogar de Desarollo Humano (quality meeting space for community groups focused on social problems of the area.
• Supported by Ultreya Valores, Culture and Service, Inc.
6. Hogar de Ninos (Childrens Home)
• Only today did we get permission to work in this area. It serves children from 4 months to 4 years by offering maternity care, health services, nutrition, psychomotor development, spiritual values for parents of limited economic resources
• There are 35 children in three classrooms. They hope to expand to 70 children with increased fundraising.
• Supported by the Sisters of the Divine Heart.
  
  See the picture below of Courtney McCune surrounded by the beautiful faces of the three year olds she worked with today.
  
  
7. Colegio Mano Amiga (Schools of the Helping Hand)
• Primary, middle, and high schools that provide education to 1000 kindergarten to high school age students with special emphasis on spiritual, scientific, human, and social tools so they can overcome poverty. There are 28 classrooms, a computer lab, science lab, recreation areas, and sports fields. Students come from compromised home situations and find a safe place in these schools.
• Supported by the Altuis Foundation
8. Comprehensive Center of John Paul II (service and support to 300+ prisoners and their families)
• Supported by the Liberating Foundation.

More adventures to be continued tomorrow...