Hearts In Motion (HIM) has been working in Pueblo Modelo basically since its inception. Hearts In Motion was on the ground in Pueblo Modelo immediately after the relocation, helping in many different capacities. For instance, HIM helped build classrooms at the public school and distributed school supplies. The school supplies continue to be donated annually. Also, HIM has been bringing medical teams and holding mobile medical clinics for the entire town on a regular basis.
As HIM has been working and collaborating with the people of Pueblo Modelo during those 20 years, it became noticeable that many of the parents had to leave their young children at home so they could go to work. Those young children were left with their older siblings to care for them. As a result, the older siblings were not able to attend school either. Therefore, it was apparent that there was a critical need for a safe place where parents could leave their young children while at work. Once this tremendous need was identified, HIM wanted to make a lasting impact in that community by opening a childcare center.
A partnership between HIM and
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (GSLC) was formed to help with some of the pressing needs of the town. In 2017 GSLC donated a Pila (a communal water source) to the town. Then in 2018, HIM and GSLC opened a Learning Center and the
Pueblo Modelo Daycare. In the near future, the Nancy Osorio Library, a computer lab, and a weekly feed program for the grade school children will be opened. Last month, pipes for running water were installed at the center.