I posted this press release from Victoria Tester for Children of Palomas.
I’m not attaching the photos just to save space, but if you would like to
see, the pictures, please write directly to Victoria at
childrenofpalomas@yahoo.com
You can also get on her mailing list to learn more about this valuable
work.  molly

on behalf of the work of esperanza lozoya
in palomas and rural chihuahua

Press Release
Contact: Victoria Tester
Phone: (575) 536-9726
childrenofpalomas@yahoo.com

Contact: Esperanza Lozoya
Phone: (575) 936-0417 or in Mexico at: 0115216563414195
palomas_outreach@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2012

PALOMAS, MEXICO, JUNE 12, 2012:  Yesterday Esperanza Lozoya and Palomas
volunteers distributed 500 meals to children in the Main Plaza in Palomas,
Chihuahua, on the first day of what will be a four week summer meal
program. This is the third year Lozoya has distributed child summer meals
in Palomas. Many of the children remaining in Palomas are extremely thin,
and the need for food in what Lozoya has called “a true humanitarian
crisis” in Chihuahua, remains dire.

So far this spring 2012, she and volunteers not only held the huge annual
Easter egg hunt in the Main Plaza, but thanks to the generosity of a donor
church in Las Cruces, have fitted more than 600 children in Palomas and
Colonia Modelo and other areas of rural Chihuahua with new shoes. Lozoya
will soon take shoes to nearby Colonia Guadalupe Victoria to serve children
there, and to other places in rural Chihuahua as well, until all 1000 pairs
of donated shoes have been distributed.

At Western New Mexico University this spring, a successful school supply
drive on behalf of Lozoya’s work in Palomas was held again by Dr. Alexandra
Neves in the School of Education. Other schools and universities are urged
to host drives. All school supplies and registrations gathered will aid
Palomas children to attend school.

Eight basic first aid kits are also needed for women who have been trained
to aid their extremely poor rural communities in health care in rural
Chihuahua.

In the La Luz de La Esperanza Palomas Outreach building on Buenaventura
street in Palomas, a daily meal continues to be offered to those aged 60
and over, and to the disabled. For most of the elderly served, this is
their only meal of the day. Visitors to the Outreach building are welcome,
and donations for the senior meal are badly needed. Individuals,
organizations and churches interested in sponsoring a senior meal at 10
dollars a month, or who can donate fresh or preserved food, are urged to
come forward.

Donations are also accepted at Diaz Farms in Deming, and at the Food Basket
stores in Silver City and in Bayard. This spring marks the second
anniversary of all three donation barrels.

Lozoya, who is glad to be in the ninth year of her humanitarian work in
Palomas, is also in emergency need of a “new” used truck or van, to keep
her work going optimally.

I act as a U.S. coordinator on behalf of the work of Esperanza Hope Lozoya,
who is often travelling in rural Chihuahua. I hope you will come forward to
aid the work of this remarkable woman whose strength, courage and
dedication to the poor are bringing hope to the crisis situation at the
Mexico border.

All photos by Victoria Tester. Photo captions:
1. Esperanza Lozoya
2. Children recieving meals, June 11 2012
3. Child, after the Easter Egg Hunt.
4. Pantry, La Luz de La Esperanza Palomas Outreach building complex
5.  Chapel, at the Outreach building complex
6. Girls with new shoes, crayons and spirals.
7. Girl with new shoes, crayons and a spiral.
8. Waiting for new shoes.