The Tree of Life Colorado Connection. Kevin Centola grew up to be a fireman. As long as he could remember, he had always wanted to do two things, be a firefighter and to help orphans. In 1997, Kevin was living in El Paso, Texas with his wife Luz. He was working at the firestation, when an old friend called him. Phil Green was in town. Phil had come from Denver, CO with a group of Christians for a mission trip to Juarez, just across the border from El Paso. They were going to visit an orphanage the next day and Phil invited Kevin and Luz to come along. Kevin agreed to come along. What he saw at the Arbol de Vida Childrens' Home sparked an all but forgotten desire to help the less fortunate.
Read a recent article in the Denver Post.
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What’s going on at the orphanage?
We’d like to start by telling you all that the orphanage is safe! Arbol de Vida (Tree of Life) has not experienced any ill effects during this heightened time of extreme violence that has plagued the city of Juarez. A large ranch owned by the Zarragoza family surrounds the orphanage.They are one of the main landowners in the area around the orphanage. The Zarragoza’s have guards around this land to protect their financial interests. This in turn protects the Tree of Life.
Education continues to be our priority. There are 85 children presently at the orphanage and all 85 children are in school. Education for the children is improving more and more due to all of our efforts. Children pre-kindergarten through firstgrade are off campus only a few blocks from the orphanage: This location is fenced in. Currently the T.O.L. has three tutors on staff at the orphanage exclusively for the children who are behind or have no records and are therefore unable to attend school as a result. The tutors’ job is to get the children who are behind caught up and re-introduce them into the school system. Finally, the high school students are commuting to town via bus, which is a fairly safe way to travel. On a happy note, 6 children graduated at Christmas time! We are so proud and looking forward to more graduations!
Tree of Life Colorado Connection funding has been reduced. In 2008 $2,800 was sent monthly. Starting in 2009, $2,300 is being sent monthly.An art show has been planned to secure the children’s present lifestyle. JohnWalker, founder of Tree of Life did received a one time $10,000 gift from S-Mart in Mexico.This will provide food for about 3 months: The cost of food is the same in Mexico as it is in the U.S. Both the Tree of Life Juarez and the Tree of Life Colorado Connection are always looking for financial support and prayer. Kevin Centola of the T.O.L.C.C will be having breakfast with Western Union Foundation, and the president of the Cordillera Foundation in the coming weeks.
Art Trip
Ten Denverites will be heading out of Denver the evening of March 20. We will arrive in El Paso and pick up two additional artists at the airport. A total of 6 artists will be working with the children. With the success of the last art show and 3 additional artists we anticipate an impressive display of talent. We will purchase all our food in El Paso and then head into Mexico, March 21. A new crossing and road has been recently opened. We will only have to drive 10 minutes until we reachTree of Life. This road is away from downtown and is much safer and faster. We will work for two full days and then head back to the U.S. on Tuesday morning. March 24.
Art Show Fundraiser Event
The upcoming Art Show planning is going very well. Kevin Centola has already established a great Art Show team in conjunction with the Nathan Yip Foundation. We have graphic artists, photographers,an art framer, and media coverage.
The Art Show itself will be at the Kevin Taylor Restaurant in the Hotel Teatro, located just north of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. It will be held on May 3, 2009.rd, the weekend of Cinco de Mayo, and run from 2pm-5pm.
-Article by Sarah DeHart