One of our long time sponsors, tells of an experience she and her husband had on one of their trips down to El Hogar:

Mario Andino and Bunny Frey in 1990

"A most amazing thing happened to me on the first day of my arrival at El Hogar. As Claudia, the director and I were getting reacquainted she suddenly looked at me and said, "Didn't you sponsor Mario Andino?" "Yes, I did for twelve years. He graduated from St. Mary's Technical Institute five years ago," I responded. She grabbed me by the hand and started walking quickly across the grounds saying, "He's here right now! Let's find him." As we approached I recognized him immediately. What a joyous reunion! We hugged and started speaking haltingly in both Spanish and English. I came to find out that Mario is now at the University studying electrical engineering and he just happened to be visiting El Hogar that day.

He had no idea that I was coming to visit. I had not seen him in many years. A while later he reached in his backpack and took out a photo - it was one I had sent him over fourteen years ago. He, at age eight, was sitting on a picnic table at El Hogar with me and several of his friends.Here he was all these years later still carrying

William Lopez, Mario, Eduard Lopez & Bunny in 2004. Bunny now sponsors William.

that picture of us in his backpack. We can never underestimate what we mean to these boys, what unconditional love we represent to them."

Faithfully yours,

Bunny Frey
2004