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Issue 1, Vol. 1 January 2011
 
 
 
President's Message
 
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On behalf of the children of La Yaguita de Pastor, Dominican Republic, I'd like to THANK YOU for your support of Project Mañana.

I cannot believe that today is finally here. After years of planning, praying, and dreaming...Project Mañana is now a reality. With our collective efforts, talents, and dedication, I believe that -- while we may not change the entire world – we WILL change many individual worlds.

Project Mañana was created as a tool for people who desire to help better the lives of impoverished children, their families, and communities. It's simple...just a group of ordinary people, working together today to achieve extraordinary results tomorrow.

Working Together Today For A Better Tomorrow™

Sincerely,


Brian Berman, Founder & President
 







 
 
Project Comida ("Food") Update
 
Project Mañana continues to operate at a very aggressive pace and is on schedule to launch Project Comida (meaning "food") this month, after students return to school from Christmas break. Supplies (plates, cups, spoons, etc.) have been purchased for 100 children!

Project Comida is a crucial and cornerstone program for Project Mañana and will provide a nutritious meal to 100% of the students enrolled in Project Mañana's Private School.

Currently there are 41 students enrolled in the nutrition program and funding is all thanks to the generous sponsors who have partnered with Project Mañana. As additional funds become available when more children are sponsored, Project Mañana is already prepared to scale the nutrition program, as needed.

If you haven't sponsored a child, yet -- we kindly ask you to consider doing so right away.

For less than $1 per day, you can dramatically change the life and health of an impoverished child. It's so simply...why not get involved and sponsor a child TODAY!

By design, 100% of all sponsorship funds (and donations) go directly to the program. Project Mañana does not use any funds for administrative fees, travel, or salaries. When you sponsor a child, you'll have the peace-of-mind knowing that your money is managed with the utmost integrity to provide poor children with:

> Education - Private schooling, uniforms, supplies, teachers,& classrooms.
> Nutrition - A nutritious meal & Multi-Vitamin 5 days per week.
> Guidance - Partnership with a trained adult mentor.

Sponsorship starts at just $30 per month (that's less than $1 per day).

Please Help. Sponsor A Child TODAY!

Christmas Was Extra Special For Marleni Nelson This Year!
 
Christmas is known as "the season of giving." On December 25th children scurry to the family room where an ornate Christmas tree towers over a pile of beautifully-wrapped presents. They can’t wait to dig through the bountiful pile of gifts to find the ones with their name. And, in a blink of an eye, the paper is torn off exposing the latest and coolest new toys. Smiles and laughter immediately fill the room and the children hurry off to play with their new treasure.

While this may sounds like an all too familiar Christmas morning, the reality is that Marleni Nelson (and most of the children living in La Yaguita de Pastor, Dominican Republic) have never experienced a Christmas morning like this. Typically, Christmas morning is often a difficult time for parents as they struggle to explain to their children why, once again, there won’t be any gifts this year. In fact, many children are forced to slowly lose hope as year-after-year goes by with the same result – nothing.

Well, that all changed for Marleni Nelson and her family this year…

Thanks to Marleni’s sponsor, Jessica Fleurimond from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this was the BEST Christmas that Marleni and her family have ever experienced. And, it was all made possible by a simple and heartfelt jester on Fleurimond’s part.

In early November, two packages unexpectedly arrived at Project Mañana’s California-based office. When they were opened, there was a life-size plush doll and a smaller plush doll. Enclosed was a simple note, “To Marleni: Merry Christmas, Jessica.” Needless to say, the entire Project Mañana staff had tears in our eyes. Within a few days, Project Mañana had made arrangements to repackage the gifts and get them to the Dominican Republic. Once they arrived, Jenny Luz (Project Mañana’s Dominican Coordinator) met with Juan D’Leon (Project Mañana’s School Administrator) and walked to Marleni’s small one-bedroom home. When they arrived, they were greeted by Marleni, her mother, and younger sister. Jenny and Juan explained to Marleni and her family that her American sponsor loved her so much that she sent the Christmas gifts. Humbled, Marleni’s mother said thank you, but was otherwise speechless. As for Marleni, well, she decided to share her gifts with her younger sister and it’s safe to say that her beautiful smile was just a little larger this Christmas.

Thank you, Jessica!


Project Niños - Child Highlight
 
Meet Anthony Junior Cruz -- an outgoing and highly intelligent 4th grade student attending classes at Project Mañana's Private School.

Anthony's story is slightly different than some of the other children who have been highlighted in our past newsletters.

You see, this may be Anthony's last year of school. Although Project Mañana's Private School is licensed from preschool through 8th grade, lack of funding before Project Mañana partnered with the school has caused the school's administration to make the painful decision to cut classes and downsize -- offering classes from preschool through 4th grade only.

Without the much needed funding, there won't be a 5th grade class for Antony to enroll in next school year (which starts this August 2011).

Anthony and his 4th grade classmates desperately need sponsorship, or they may not have the opportunity to continue with their education past the 4th grade. This is an urgent and desperate situation that needs your help!

Project Mañana is fully prepared to open a 5th grade class next school year, however it can't be done without the proper funding -- And, that's where you can help.

There is good news! Through Project Mañana's sponsorship program, Anthony and his classmates have the opportunity to continue with their education if sponsors are willing to partner with them. Sponsorship is so simple and costs less than $1 per day.

When you sponsor Anthony (or one of his classmates), he is guaranteed a private education and a nutritious meal, 5 days per week.

Additionally, Anthony has been partnered-up with an adult mentor to help guide him through everyday situations, questions, hopes, dreams, and fears.

Anthony is in desperate need of a sponsor and he would love it to be YOU!

Please visit Project Mañana's website to read more about Anthony and the other children in desperate need of sponsorship. You can easily sponsor a child online, by fax, or by mail.

Click Here to Learn More About Sponsorship

 Project Mañana Needs Your Help!
 
Project Mañana is a non-profit 501(c)3 humanitarian organization dedicated to bettering the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities through nutrition, education, and guidance.

We achieve our goals through charitable donations and child sponsorship, which unites children in need with individual sponsors who wish to address the children's immediate and basic needs. Sponsorship gives poor children the tools and opportunities necessary for success by providing benefits and supporting programs for each child - primarily in the areas of education and nutrition.


www.ProjectManana.org
 
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