Published by the COAR Peace Mission * 4395 Rocky River Drive * Cleveland, Ohio 44135-2569 * (216) 252-5572 |
| Home | Newsletter | History and Mission | Sponsor a Child | School | Projects | Donate | Contact Us |
| November 2004 (Back to page 1) |
Sheltering, educating, and healing children for El Salvador's future since 1980 |
From the Peace Mission's
Executive Director - Mary Stevenson Thanks for the International Children's Games Thanks and the Games . . . It took the efforts of sooooo many people to make the incredible experience of bringing COAR to the International Children’s Games possible that we have printed the name of everyone who donated or helped (deeply felt apologies if we missed some one!) Special thanks is owed to the entire Peace Mission Board and the staff of the Children’s Village who worked many hours in addition to their regular jobs and family obligations to make this possible. Nilda Ramos, our program administrator, acted as interpreter, graciously remembered all those little things, (and many of the big things), and guided the mayor through all his special events. Arline Nosse, Board President, also toiled endless hours to plan and execute a symphony of movement and meals. We anticipated we would need $36,000, we did need almost exactly $36,000, and we raised almost exactly $36,000. For those who stuck with their regular donations, thank you, too, because COAR did not suffer in any way by participating in the Games. In fact, it enhanced our reputation nationally within El Salvador and with the American Embassy and brought in over 200 first-time donors. Visas . . . Obtaining visas for the Team was our largest obstacle. Several children had to be replaced by others more acceptable to the consulate. A delegation visiting the Children’s Village in June from St. Joseph Church, Strongsville, OH, actually met the U.S. Ambassador at a restaurant and pleaded our case. We will never know whether that helped, but visas were granted within a week. The fact that every member of our Team returned to El Salvador as they promised showed COAR’s quality and commitment to bettering El Salvador. Competitions . . . So, how did they do? (It is sport, after all.) It must be stated first, that the Europeans take these Games very seriously, and send their very best athletes, groomed in their sports for many years. In soccer, the boys team played Mexico, Greece, and Scotland, losing all three games, but putting up a mighty fight. Similarly, the girls played Scotland, Marion, Indiana (a U.S. Team), and Afghanistan, defeating only Afghanistan. Track and field events were conducted by seed times, not team, and our kids did respectably, but did not make it into the medal rounds. Special memories . . . Honestly, I suggested last December that we bring a COAR Team to the Games to enhance Cleveland’s reputation by adding more international flare. Once I became Executive Director I started to see what a great publicity opportunity it was. When the visas were granted I thought, “Wow, this will be the first time on a plane for these kids (and an escalator, an elevator, much less the U.S.), what a great educational experience for them,” - a little late to the table was I. But when the Team arrived and the Games were upon us, I was overwhelmed by what it did for me. Everyone involved had the same reaction. Two are particularly poignant. |
|
