Guidelines
While Visiting Orphanage Estado 29
Traveling to Mexico can be an exciting adventure, especially if you are fascinated
with experiencing the culture of a foreign country.
When you join us on a trip to the orphanage, here are some things to keep
in mind:
Relations with the kids at the orphanage
Everyone shakes hands in Mexico, even children. When entering a room
or a conversation, an appropriate greeting is always necessary. "Buenos
dias" or "Buenas tarde" are fine. When meeting someone new or saying
good bye, offer your hand! "Mucho gusto" meaning "it's a pleasure"
is good for first time meetings. These greetings are a wonderful way
to show respect and courtesy.
Always use conduct that respects the conservative nature of the Mexicans.
Touching should be restricted to what they consider appropriate.
Hand holding is fine. Hugs, primarily shoulder hugs, should be brief.
Men especially, watch your hands; an innocent touch by you can be
silently resented. If you are familiar with Royal Family Kids Camp,
many of the same measures apply. Some of the kids have been abused
sexually and visitors don't normally know which ones. These especially
need us to model the right way to show and receive affection. Treat
them all with utmost respect.
While there is no established dress code, there are a few guidelines:
- T-shirts with disrespectful or obscene language or graphics are not appropriate.
Many of the children know more than enough English to understand!
- All clothing should be modest.
Please do not take pictures of the children without asking for permission.
This is an invasion of privacy and may be interpreted as a lack of respect.
Always consult your leader and he/she will tell you if it is OK. If
any child shows reluctance to being photographed, put the camera away.
They sense your respect for them this way.
Please do not give money, gifts, candy or sodas directly to an individual
child without first speaking with your leader. Special treats
are pre-planned events with the approval of the orphanage director
and will include all of the children.
Estado 29 is a Christian
home. You do not have to be a Christian to visit, but you must respect
their beliefs. We expect you to be good examples for the children.
Behavior not consistent with biblical principles will require your immediate
departure. "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is
old he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6
Do not be afraid to express a positive curiosity. Showing a genuine
interest in the children's way of life is almost always met with a friendly
response. And lastly, please remember to treat people with respect
and praise them on the beauty of their country, their food and the children.
You will find that they are glad you came. We are visitors in
their country and in their home; they are quite proud of both.
Do not be afraid to play or invent games with the children. If you
know a few magic tricks, the kids love them!
Personal habits:
Get into the habit of washing your hands frequently, especially before handling
food or after playing with dogs. Your resistance to unfamiliar bacteria
is lower and illness is spread easily from hand to mouth.
All vegetables and fruits that we take for our meals have been washed in
the US. The orphanages' water is OK for showers and general washing.
Use only bottled water
for rinsing your mouth.
If you are visiting with a spouse or date, please be reserved about displaying
your affection for one another while at Estado 29. Mexican people are
very conservative.
If you experience any problems with our children or staff, report it immediately
to your leader.
Estado 29 is a smoke and alcohol free area.
While at Estado 29 always be conscious of water and resources conservation.
-The orphanage has septic tanks installed when there were half as many residents.
Please put paper in the garbage can, not the toilet bowl. Toilet paper
quickly clogs the septic tanks.
-Use of the showers is encouraged if you need them, but consider skipping
it whenever possible. This reduces water usage and septic problems.
If you use the shower, please keep it short and remember to only run
the water while rinsing.
The purpose of your trip must be to serve the needs of the children at Estado
29. Your trip is a mission of service. It is not a trip to see
the sights of Mexico, to get a tan, to buy souvenirs, or medicine.
We eat together with the group, the children and the orphanage family.
No team or individual should leave the main group for any unscheduled activity
without communicating with your leader.
Here is a quick overview of our regular trips:
GENERAL INFO.
The weather in Mexico is similar to Southern California
WHAT TO BRING
Sleeping bag, pillow, a duffel bag packed for an overnight trip and cash
for two meals during our travel.
Identification Information: Bring your legal USA ID (driver license, green
card, passport or birth certificate for children). The border agents
always ask about citizenship and they do sometimes ask for ID's. Failure
to present identification as required for you to enter the US will cause
significant delays!
Bottled water and snacks (optional)
SATURDAY
Meet at the Mariners Church parking lot at 7:00am at the corner of Bonita
Canyon and Turtle Ridge Dr.
Lunch and dinner on Saturday as well as breakfast on Sunday are provided.
We will be stopping at the border to for a quick meal and to use the bathroom
during our drive to Estado 29.
AT THE ORPHANAGE
We arrive at the orphanage about 11:15 a.m, greeting to children, unloading
the vans and moving our gear to the dorm rooms.
During your visit at the orphanage you will have the opportunity to participate
in many areas:
Prepare meals for the
kids and group
Get involved in construction
projects such as: building repairing, painting, cleaning, etc.
Participate in or organize project
or games with the children, such as painting, finger nails, arts and crafts,
board games, puzzles, active sports games (your ideas are welcome).
We often take some of the kids
on a walk to the local nursery.
If weather permits, we may have
a campfire, sing songs, play music and make smores. What an awesome time
of fellowship!
Then, goodnight to all!
SUNDAY
Breakfast is served between 7:00 and 8:00. Please be on time! The next
meal is not until the mid-point of our drive home!
Prepare breakfast for the children
Pack up things in trailers and vans
Bilingual church service with the children and group members
11:00 Good-bye until next month!
Going Home:
We normally head north-east and cross the border at Tecate, drive another
twenty miles and then stop for lunch.
Depending on the border and traffic we arrive back at Mariners Church anywhere
from 4:30- 6 p.m.
Other information:
Friends of the Orphanages
8 McLaren Street, Suite F
Irvine, CA 92618
USA Phone: (949) 768-7830
Fax : (949) 768-
1811
www.FriendsOfTheOrphanages.org
E-Mail:
CASAEZ@AOL.COM
for information about Estado29,
or Steve@Raynesford.com
for information about the Mariners Church trips to Estado 29
“Touch the Future · Help
a Child Today”