Quinceañera

Here at Love & Hope Children's home it seems we are always celebrating birthdays. It's a privilege to see so many kids experience the excitement of a new year and watch them grow. This past Saturday we celebrated a very special birthday for one of our girls, and our very first Quinceañera. A Quinceañera is a special "coming of age" celebration for girls in Latin America that marks their 15th birthday. It might be most closely associated with a "Sweet Sixteen" in the United States. The Quinceañera celebration is a fancy affair akin to a wedding reception, and contains a brief sermon, a court of close friends chosen by the birthday girl, and a dinner. It's an event that every young girl looks forward to here in El Salvador.

It was a full and exciting day. We'd like to thank everyone who helped out by sending donations, supplies and gifts for the party. Here are just a few pictures we'd like to share with you. We'll have a full slideshow up soon. 

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OWU

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For the past six years Ohio Wesleyan University has sponsored a Spring Break trip to our home. Each year they come full of enthusiasm and excitement, ready for all that awaits them in El Salvador. This year was no exception. They painted rooms, cleaned up a local landmark, cooked meals, helped with homework, played soccer with the kids, served a meal in the community, sponsored a night at Pizza Hut, and generally shared a lot of love. Thanks, OWU! You nailed it.

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