There is only 1 Christian relief and development agency working in the further most southern states of Mexico. HCN is working with one, however, this area is the poorest area of Mexico. Upon investigation of this area, we need to sent thousands of dollars worth of emergency medical aid (dressings, bandages, syringes, simple surgical equipment, splints, traction equipment, antibiotics and painkillers ). Once the new team is set (only a few weeks away) they will work with children, running a drug distribution programme and helping in a setting up the community outreach programs.

The dispute flared up in 1988, and many live under tarpaulins, in railway carriages, abandoned schools and some had no shelter at all. There is a lack of water, latrines and basic health structures. Mexico's infrastructure is strained to breaking point. We need help to:

• WATER - Provide a secure and clean water supply.

• SANITARY - Create toilet and bathrooms.

• FOOD - Provide essential food each month and baby milk.

• MEDICINES - Provide medical care and medicines.

• CLOTHING - Provide children's clothing.

• PLAY - Run play-therapy programme with toys.

• OPERATIONS - Arrange for physically handicapped children to have operations.

The levels of hygiene were appalling, children undernourished and some die from exposure. With some involvement (including the provision of milk, medicines and food), we make significant improvements to conditions. The team have built up confidence and trust with the local people which enables us to have a continued effective input.

We want to :

• Maintain existing support and encouragement

• Provide food as necessary to keep the nutritional standard high

• To accomplish special projects, arranging medical operations and care

• Safe guard work already done and accomplishments made

• Encourage more involvement of locals

What the team has show by example, that children need a loving, caring, secure environment for them to develop. It is assumed by the locals that all abandoned, premature and orphaned children are mentally retarded as they all came out of the system like that. The key and the thing that was missing, is love.

And so the first plans are drawn up for the opening of two family units to show by example what can happen to these children if they grow up in a loving environment. Children are ready to move in but they only have the clothes on their backs. For this to be a 'model of childcare' and for the possibility of the model to be used the staff has to be locals, the home to be as Mexican as possible, with Mexican food and clothing and also Mexican wages. The only experience required of the staff is that they love children and have experience in looking after children. Their job description is easy, 'Whatever you do in your own home, do here'. The children will come with a whole 'suit case' of problems. John Lennon say's

Well for the children it certainly is the key to unlock their 'suitcases'. Things have to be done right, these children are legally in our care, we have a responsibility to them. Each child is to have a 'key worker' and we will choose the match of the 'key worker' to the child ethnically to try and encourage the children to grow up knowing their own culture.

We are very happy to share, and we do, the principles and beliefs behind the formation and running of the Homes supported by HCN. HCN is publicly recognised for childcare for the abandoned and orphaned children of Mexico. We have been amazed at the growth and development of the Orphanages and the Children Supported by HCN. Because so many children have gone through the institutional system and end up mentally retarded, Mexicans assumed that abandoned and orphaned children were mentally handicapped from the start. Therefore they assume all of these children need to have special medication and education. One of our major achievements is for our children to go to a normal school. Although we might think that this is not unusual, even now talking to some Mexicans, they think this is amazing.

We recognise the need to prepare for the future of our children and also to generate income from within Mexico. We have already set up a fund for the future needs of the children, but we do wish to make more substantial plans.