They stretch, exercise, run and practice fundamental soccer skills at the direction of their coach. The three girls from Love & Hope that play are the only girls on the team. Even our two littlest boys participate!Īll of the participants convene on the cancha (field) and split into groups by age. They walk down the hill, cleats on, water bottles in hand, tote bags strapped to their shoulders, excited to see their friends and play their favorite game. The children at Love & Hope Children’s Home are no exception!Įvery Monday and Wednesday at 4:00, about 10 of the children get dressed and ready to go to soccer practice at our local park. It is the sport that everyone cheers for, everyone understands, and everyone knows how to play (even if just for fun). Soccer, as we like to call it in the United States, carries a lot of weight down here in El Salvador. He still wasn’t gaining weight, but he wasn’t losing it either. ![]() ![]() He started holding food down and eating regularly. Gradually, with the help of doctors and nutritionists, we learned what an appropriate diet for Kevin would be. We could see over the next few years that our little man was getting stronger. Several times a week, he would receive physical, occupational and swim therapy. Still unable to gain weight but improving slowly, Kevin started receiving therapy at Funter, a therapy center here in El Salvador. His caregivers experienced many sleepless nights caring for him and many long days trying to help him keep food down, stay cool and remain reasonably happy. Unwilling to make eye contact, uncomfortable in every position, seeming to be constantly in pain, not able to support himself, and unable to keep even milk in his stomach, Kevin needed substantial medical attention and therapy. When Kevin arrived at Love & Hope tha t summer, he was in serious condition. Kevin’s grandfather had been doing his best to care for him, but knowing that someone else would be able to offer Kevin better care and medical attention, he lovingly trusted us with his sweet, frail little boy. ![]() We thought that with a good diet and a lot of love, Kevin’s health would improve quickly, as it had with other children who had arrived at Love & Hope in a state of malnutrition. The boy was also extremely underweight for his age. In July 2006, an elderly man came to Love & Hope Children’s Home looking for a home for his three-year-old grandson that had severe disabilities.
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