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The only facility of its kind in El Salvador – See more about the HOUSE of Life
A baby shower for the first two girls in the House of Life!!
Many thanks to Danielle Garcia of the US Embassy and Suzy Gonzalez from the Diplomatic Wives Association they provided a baby shower on February 18 for the 
first two girls in the House of Life Shelter. The lawn and balloons gave a festive atmosphere with presents and all the trimmings! The Shelter was opened by Bob McDonald of Mi Casa Kids (an orphanage for both boys and girls.) Daniella had also provided a Christmas party at her own home with gifts for all the kids at Mi Casa Kids in December. For this party there was a cake for Hannah’s baby (a little girl) and another cake for a baby boy who will be here soon! We can’t give out the names of the girls as it may put them in danger. Everyone had an amazing time and it is so touching to see the wonderful support which meant so much to the girls who have nothing.
See the latest update story on the project”
We bought a cake for Hannah’s birthday who came into Mi Casa’s House of Life on December 1st. When all of us began to sing “Happy Birthday” to her, she started to cry and I was a bit worried that maybe we had triggered a sad momory. After we finished singing, I asked Hannah why she was crying and she said that it was because she had never had a birthday celebration before. It is always shocking to me that the things we sometimes take for granted are not the same for all of us. Most who were there and knew Hanna’s story cried a bit with her. Then we all had cake and enjoyed the moment.
You may have noticed the furry creature next to Hannah in the photo. He is Caramelo, the newest member of the House of Life. He is a therapy Bernedoodle donated by Nick, a wonderfu therapy dog trainer and breeder here in El Salvador. Caramelo is always by the girls’ sides if they are sad and need comfort. He is like a big, loving shag carpet.
Just a few days after Hannah’s birthday, she went into labor. We have known for a month that Hanna’s baby was breach and were hoping for the baby to turn. Hanna’s little baby decided she was not going to flip and was born by Cesarean.
Mama and baby are both doing great recovering from surgery. Hannah is the best mama and is very attentive and loving to her baby. She is learning how to love, breastfeed and care for her baby with the help of our experienced and trained staff. Both mama and baby are in the best place at the House of Life. They are getting the beautiful start in life that they would never have had without your support. Hannah’s baby is already making eye contact with her mama and all who get to hold her and she is barely a week old.Over the next 90 days Hannah’s baby’s brain will grow 60 to 70% and will form critical and fundamental structures that enable her to interact and develop in a healthy way with all those around her. This is exactly what Hannah’s baby needs in order to learn and grow in the most excellent and productive way for all of her life.
You can Support this project HERE
Summary
Life for many Salvadoran girls can be fraught with sexual violence by family members and the problem is little talked about. The House of Life Mama and Baby Shelter will be a safe haven where 30 pregnant, abused teens can heal, have healthy babies and learn how to bond and care for their babies, and about their human right to live in an abuse-free environment. ThIs will be the first such shelter in the country as there is currently no adequate place to send pregnant teens in El Salvador.
Challenge
Rape at the hands of relatives and a lack of sex education are driving pregnancies among girls in El Salvador, which is struggling to stem one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Latin America. Incest at the hands of grandfathers, fathers and other relatives is often the cause & many come from homes with domestic violence. More than a third of all pregnancies in El Salvador are among girls aged 10 to 19, and girls as young as 9 have become pregnant. The risk of maternal death is high.
Solution
The New Life Home will provide a shelter and care for abused teens before they have their babies & a safe place to be nurtured during their pregnancy. Funding has been sucured to provide the building, but bedding, sheets, blankets and everything needed to receive the first four teens and their unborn babies. We also need monthly operating expenses for caregivers, staff, doctors, hospital bills, food, maternity clothing, baby clothing, baby supplies, medicines, transportation, utilities and more.
Long-Term Impact
The first of its kind in El Salvador, this project will be sustained by mission teams after the first 2 years. Girls will be educated about their rights, and learn to nurture their babies for the first three months. After that they will be given the option to keep their baby or offer it up for adoption. Lives of the girls will be improved regardless of what choice they make and the babies will have had essential nurturing during their first 3 months to help them be ready for the right family.
