Los Illapas Boarding House - 21st March 2011

The first encounter with the new boys was moving, tearful and complicated. The happy boys that you see with Chris (below) are the same boys that cry at the mention of their fathers or openly admit that their mums don't love them. We sat down with them one by one and heard story after story of alcoholic and abusive family situations. At that time there were ten beds for many more boys that wanted and needed one and we had some very tough decisions to make. It made us realise the opportunity that a bed represents for these children and the value that it carries. This was only going to make our decisions and rejections harder... That was until the following Monday when we heard the news from the new mayor that he wants to provide us with a new space in which we can accommodate 10 more boys!! So we are over the moon.... As I write, the boys will be on their way to school. With the excitement of a first night in the boarding house I am sure many of them will be running!