At a recent construction kick-off ceremony in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, several dozen diocesan and government officials sat in miniature chairs along a mural of children as they listened to a presentation by Melva Arbelo (second from the right, below). She is the director of Hogar Infantil Santa Teresita, a home for abused and neglected children, whose ages range from newborn to 7 years old.
For their safety and for legal reasons, we cannot show you the faces of these children. But trust us; they are absolutely precious. Knowing of their shattered innocence behind their gorgeous little smiles always induces tears among first-time visitors.
In 1999, the Santa Teresita home was born out its namesake parish. It was built on the church grounds with the support of Catholic Extension Society, and established as a new Catholic nonprofit. In 2017, the home was battered by Hurricane Maria and remained standing but severely weakened. Now, it begins a long-awaited renovation project to ensure that it is resilient to future storms to protect its precious young residents.
“I never thought this day would come,” Arbelo confessed. The project is the latest construction to occur through Catholic Extension Society’s program that helps the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico recover from natural disasters so that they can continue their spiritual and charitable mission on the island. In the coming years, hundreds of church facilities will be renovated with private and public funds secured by Catholic Extension Society, which collectively exceed $400 million.
Many disaster-weary islanders thought this bold dream would never come to fruition—even people of great faith like Arbelo, who has worked at the home for more than 27 years and witnessed plenty of miracles.
Repairing hearts
Speaking to the government officials and the workforce who will execute this project over the next six months, Arbelo said,
We are not just building a structure, but we are creating a shelter that gives protection to transform the life of each child that enters here.”
She continued,
“Thank you to all of you because with your support, our hope is not only to rebuild this building but also the little hearts of our children, by giving them a place that is safe and dignified.”
Arbelo explained that the children are placed in their home by Puerto Rico’s Department of the Family. While they reside at the home, the children have excellent caretakers who truly love them. The children receive the professional resources necessary to heal from the torture, sexual abuse, or otherwise unimaginable trauma that has brought them to the home. Arbelo told the gathered dignitaries that the home operates at 100% capacity, and there are, unfortunately, constant phone calls seeking to place new children with them.
Representatives from FEMA hopefully came away from the launch ceremony with the understanding that by facilitating federal recovery grants for the home, they too were sharing the noble mission to help children restore their human dignity. This is also the case for the donors funding costs not covered by federal grants.
Deeply personal project
Maria Nieves, a local contractor, will lead this delicate construction project which will not require the relocation of the children while work is underway. She reflects on the project below:
This project is deeply personal to her. As a child, Maria was a Girl Scout who volunteered at the home—an experience she never forgot. “Coming back all these years later as a professional to improve this space is something I feel so good about,” she said. While visiting the home, she stopped to pose in the hallway between the Little Mermaid and Bambi.
“We do a lot of projects, but this one is particularly beautiful because we are talking about working with kids,” she added.
Likewise, Pedro Bengoche, lead designer, said, “It won’t be like any construction site. You will hear the giggles and smiles of children. You take that smile and that happiness to your home after you finish your work.”
“This will have just as much impact on us as the kids” said Francis Colon, project engineer, as the work team playfully posed for us in the children’s outdoor recreation area.
“Having their home protected from future hurricanes will be very meaningful to the future of this place,” Nieves added. “This is one of the most beautiful and meaningful projects that we have.”
Catholic Extension Society feels the same way. Of the hundreds of churches, chapels, schools and other facilities to be repaired in the coming months and years through our recovery program, this one has powerful symbolism. It is such a clear example of what we know to be true: by building up the Church’s presence, we transform society. Even the government officials and workers present at the launch ceremony could easily recognize that fact.
In a particular way, Arbelo expressed her appreciation to all the donors of Catholic Extension Society past and present:
From the very beginning and throughout the years we’ve always been able to count on the team at Catholic Extension, who has been key in the construction and now reconstruction of this home.”
Everyone involved in this project is fulfilling the spirit of Jesus’ words inscribed at the front of entrance of the home, which simply says, “Let the children come to me!”
Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America. Please support our mission!
Header image credit: Benny Bautista
