By Reynaldo Mena
It was the friendship between a former resident of Colina de Luz and Rocío Parra Arvantis, of the Chito Foundation, that initiated a labor that has extended for several months.
“Listening to his story, growing up in an orphanage and leaving there to achieve a successful life is very motivating. We believed that our commitment was to support Colinas de Luz in everything we could,” says Parra Arvanitis.
Since then, and with the enthusiasm of Chito Foundation founder Veronica Alvarado, they have carried out two activities during the year: Día del Niño and around Three Kings’ Day.
“This activity transforms us. Seeing around 60 boys and girls explode with enthusiasm upon seeing us and receiving their gifts fills us with joy,” she says.
But it’s not just charitable activity that is the most important. This foundation has emphasized the need for mentorship and volunteering.
“Helping them cover their needs is something positive, but bringing in people as volunteers who can serve as a positive image for the children is very important. They can see themselves reflected there, know that they can overcome and leave behind this difficult period of life,” adds Parra Arvanitis.
The Chito Foundation was founded in February 2021 by Veronica Alvarado, a community leader, entrepreneur, mentor, mental health advocate, and philanthropist in honor of her late uncle, Mario Alcides Argueta, aka “Chito” to help mentor Latino youth on their path to entrepreneurship.
Since then, they have carried out numerous activities in support of communities at risk
“On each trip, we bring around 20 to 30 volunteers. We invite them to see what is being done with the money and the impact it is having,” she adds.
That interaction leaves many lessons, both for the children and the volunteers. Hearing firsthand the stories of the children has led to very strong relationships being built between them
“One arrives there thinking that we are helping them, when in reality, they are the ones giving us feedback, teaching us a reality that is foreign to us,” she adds.
Parra enthusiastically recounts one of the stories she has experienced.
“On one of the trips, we realized that they were going to celebrate the quinceañera of one of the girls. In those days, it was my birthday and I had decorated a very nice bike, everyone wanted me to sell it. Which, I didn’t even think about. However, after visiting the orphanage, Veronica proposed that we raffle it off and donate the funds for the party. We got dresses for the girls and clothes for the boys. We raised about $2,500 and they had a very beautiful, formal, and large party. It didn’t even look like an orphanage,” says Parra. “Imagine the impact this event had on their lives!”
For Rocio Parra, the importance of a mentor is vital in anyone’s life.
“We all need a mentor. If I had had the opportunity to have one when I was a child, my life would have been very different, who knows! Perhaps I would have even become the president of the country,” she says.
Located just outside Tijuana, Mexico, Colina de Luz (Hill of Light) is home for 50 to 60 boys and girls. Some have been abused, some orphaned, some abandoned, reflecting the poverty that surrounds their family life and community. Situated on top of a hill, as the name suggests, Colina not only offers a literal and figurative oasis to these desperately needy children but truly provides a home.
According to Parra, the fact that they are located in Tijuana has not limited them from carrying out this altruistic work. In these months, they have not had any bad experiences.
“We all go together and we all come back together. We have not suffered any problems,” she adds.
TO LEARN MORE
If you are interested in volunteering in this activity, you can contact:
https://www.chitofoundation.org/
email: Impact@chitofoundation.com
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