Programs
INSPIRATION
The programs were conceptualized out of an act of generosity from a Nicaraguan person to the family of the Executive Director 20 years earlier. Lorena “helped to prevent my husband and son from being sent to war in Nicaragua, while also giving them shelter and food for three months”. Lorena came back into the Executive Director life thanks to social media and current business activities.
Their reunion was a blessing for both families and gave Ms. Vilarello, the Executive Director, an opportunity to reciprocate the attention and care her family received in the past.
The experience with Lorena is now the core of our operational blueprint for services. The act to help others and children with meals should not be based on random acts of kindness. It is part of our human condition, and culture and those that are involved with Angels 4 Kids Inc. are guided by that inspiration.
In the future, this inspiration will be transformed in the IGLESCO center which will not only help by serving as place to feed the body, but also the mind and soul. Feeding these three elements of the self will lead everyone to gain new levels of energy and be empowered to meet challenges with more force.
BENEFICIARIES
The Comunidad “El Tigre” is neighborhood of nearly 400 residents who live in abject poverty and lack significant community resources.
The community is nearly 3 km (2 miles) from Managua, Nicaragua, where major roads and it can only be reached by car. Unfortunately, no one in that community owns transportation.
This particular problem placed significant challenges to school attendance figures because students would not go to school when there was inclement weather.
The only school in the facility offers education from K-8, and can hold 45 students. The families lack the means to properly feed and clothe their children daily.
The children are resilient, kind hearted, eager to learn, and love their parents, friends and peers. Their understanding of nature shows they are mature beyond their age. These are the reasons why every time I become a member of that community, I feel the need to help transform these children into future leaders of their community and their country.
Our project are targeted in creating a reciprocal positive impact between the donor / volunteer and beneficiaries / children, community, breaking the cycle of poverty that separates them from the world.
Featured Programs:
Changing Tears into Smiles
In August 2013, Angels 4 Kids launch its original program called Converting Tears into Smiles. The program was conceptualized out of an act of generosity from a Nicaraguan person to the family of the Executive Director 20 years earlier. Lorena “helped to prevent my husband and son from being sent to war in Nicaragua, while also giving them shelter and food for three months”. Lorena came back into the Executive Director life thanks to social media and current business activities. Their reunion was a blessing for both families and gave Ms.Vilarello, the Executive Director, an opportunity to reciprocate the attention and care her family received. In conversations with Lorena and her son, Ricardo, they identified the community of “El Tigre”, in the outskirts of Managua, as a potential recipient of programs and services offered by the newly created Angels 4 Kids Inc. The community is home to almost 400 Nicaraguans. Nearly 50% are children under the age of 18. The conditions of the area are deplorable because they lack water, are distant from schools, and do not have paved roads. Hunger is a daily challenge for all the residents of the community.
In the spirit of love and care for our young brothers and sisters in despair, Ms.Vilarello and Ricardo set out to remove tears of hunger in these children of “El Tigre”. In our original mission, we wiped the tears by bringing much needed school supplies, clothing, and to conduct a census of immediate needs for the children to get to school and fed appropriately. We delivered 80 backpacks full of school supplies, t shirts, 20 pairs of shoes of different sizes, and clothing for 40 children.
This activity was welcomed by all parents and the children were very happy to have their new tools for education.
We encourage businesses and individuals to assist us to convert tears into smiles by donating back packs with school supplies to children in Nicaragua. We make collections for this project in June and December. When you have the backpack ready you can contact us and we will gladly pick it up. Thanks for your support.
New Partners Join Changing Tears into Smiles Program during December 2013
The success of the original Changing Tears into Smiles activity raised the interest of corporations, schools, and other entities. The result of the new relationships benefitted 115 children who received the blessing of toys this year. Organized by the invaluable work of the Angels Ambassadors. They collected over 400 toys were among the participants schools Mater Academy High School, Bilingual School of Business and Performing Arts Inc., Potential Church, Mater Gardens Elementary, and Mater lakes High School.
In 2014, the interest in partnering with Angels 4 Kids continued with the addition of Oliva Cigars, La Hormiga de Oro, Chemical Aviation to the list of sponsors and partners. The total support helped us deliver from Miami to Nicaragua 85 bikes, and a meal for 200 persons, and letters from local students to Nicaraguan children. In December of the same year, Potential Church also donated 50 new bikes for children of El Tigre.
Nicaraguan and foreign business Angeles against hunger and poverty. This program complements the project Changing Tears into Smiles by which Nicaraguan or foreign companies operating in that country become our allies in the fight against hunger and poverty in Nicaragua.
Our first sponsor under this program was the company Totto , who would appreciate the donation of 75 backpacks for children in the region El Tigre in February 2014. Any Nicaraguan company or operating within Nicaragua is summoned to join our cause and help combat hunger and poverty.
To donate, you can contact us through the website and a representative will call you to discuss the donation and the benefits it brings to children and for your company. Donations of all kinds of items each month are accepted.
“Wings for smiles”
Nicaragua, August 12-15 2013
“Wing 4 Wheels”
Nicaragua, June 24-27 2014
Angels Ambassadors
This program was created to encourage young men and women to participate in international development and learn the activities of a nongovernment organization that helps locally and overseas. Upon completion of an assessment and completion of a volunteer application, the participant in the program is assigned to participate in project activity such as distribution of donations, and collection of fundraising opportunities. Participants can earn Community Service Learning hours and even participation in mission overseas. All activities require parental permission. The program is open throughout the year and interviews are held monthly. The volunteer is expected to work between 2 to 5 hours per week. The activities of this program may help prospective Silver Knight nominees to reach that coveted award.
In 2014, the Angel Ambassador showed their dedication to help those in despair by becoming angels of joy during the Christmas season. A group of 12 “Ambassadors” cooked and prepared meals for 10 orphan girls living in His House, a local nonprofit in the northern part of Miami Dade County. They also made their nails, decorated their house completely with new Christmas decorations and Christmas tree.
In addition, 38 children from His House were invited to the Mater Gardens event “Be their Xmas Gift” which provided an interactive playground where children enjoyed games, bounce houses, cotton candy, music, and meals.
Sponsor an Ambassador and contribute to the learning skills of future leaders of our communities. Donations are accepted in cash, credit card, or checks. A donation of $20 will be translated into two hours of volunteer work for one participant.
Angeles empresariales nicaraguenses y extranjeros contra el hambre y la pobreza.
Pen-Pal
Miami, FL
Valentines 2016
Florida Baptist Children's Homes
IGLESCO
IGLESCO is a capital project that will lead to the construction of a multipurpose community center. The name IGLESCO is derived from the Spanish for the words iglesia (place of worship/church), escuela (school), and comedor (food pantry/kitchen).
These words define the operational model of the future center. The facility is expected to be built in early 2015 and will consist of an estimated 120 square meters in an unused land that was donated by the Honorable Mayor of Managua. The facility will expectedly have a maximum capacity of 90 persons.
The IGLESCO center will be staffed by 8 persons. One Center Manager, 2 Teachers, 1 Religious Education Coordinator, 1 Vocational Trainer, and 3 Cooks.
The center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day except Sundays when it will close at 4:00. The center will host special activities during the holidays.
IGLESCO
Nicaragua, February of 2016
