Manos de Amor
Meet Grant and Karen Swanson. From the outside, they look like an ordinary couple. From the inside, they burst with enthusiasm and continuous support for the orphanage in Bucerias, Manos de Amor. Translating to “Hands of Love”, that is exactly what the Swansons offer.
While vacationing in the area, they were not ones to sit by the pool. They began exploring, seeking the best way to find a charity that needs help. They discovered Manos de Amor and have never stepped back. That first year they filled their car with Christmas gifts and played with the children for the better part of a day. Karen and Grant were hooked. Two to three times a year, while visiting from Saskatchewan, they committed time to the children and began attending events associated with the orphanage. In 2015, they moved here full time and are now intensely woven into, not only the bricks and mortar of the orphanage, but more importantly, the hearts of each child who resides there.
Children come to the home through various avenues. DIF Nayarit, a Mexican public institution of social assistance, occasionally identifies a child in need. Most kids, however, come as a recommendation from neighbours or family members, primarily grandparents who see their grandchildren not being fully cared for. Single mothers who cannot afford daycare, domestic violence, substance abuse, all reasons to place a child in a safe and caring environment.
As a permanent resident, Karen was asked and agreed to sit on the orphanage steering committee, acting as a solid, stable figure in an environment that was mostly made up of seasonal volunteers.
They feel that teaching English is an important step toward giving the kids future employment options. “Because we were here full time, Grant and I became very involved with home activities. We teach English twice a week, we assist with fundraising and promoting volunteerism, and we drive around on Sundays picking up those children who are able to spend weekends with either immediate or extended family.”
Some of the families live in cardboard homes, often without doors or windows, where there might be ten to twelve people living. They don’t have money for transportation, so the Swansons drive to San Jose, San Vincent, Valle de Banderas, and San Juan de Abajo to ensure the kids return to the refuge of the orphanage every Sunday.
They describe, the goal is to “Keep the family unit in tact. If parents and families can be involved, even on a small level, we try to help with that. We are pretty connected with these families and enjoy spending time with them in their homes. There is one family where three twelve year old girls were pregnant. One seven year old boy has five nieces and nephews.
We suspend judgement. They have a tough life.”
“A lot of our volunteers are women,” says Karen. “The kids see Grant as a Grandpa, wrestling with the boys, helping with homework. It’s pretty cool.”
Grant explains, “There’s a turnover of volunteers, so the kids need our long term support. It’s really fulfilling.”
Thank you for all that you do, Karen and Grant.
Your commitment to volunteering makes our community a better place.
Manos de Amor recently celebrated their 10th anniversary in their current location, built solely through philanthropy. If you would like to find out how you can help, please visit their website. Any donation is appreciated, from toilet paper and cleaning supplies to financial gifts.
