This is Erick. He's kind of a goof-ball as he likes to joke around and often times will put himself in harms way for a laugh. He's 16 years old and has lived on the street before coming to Casa de Paso. This is evidenced by the tattoos he has on his arms, hands and neck (although you can't see them here); as well as the scars on his chest from knife-fighting. He's a good kid though that seems to be grateful for his life in Casa de Paso.
This is Pedro and I think the expression on his face kind of sums up what he has been experiencing. I was actually able to sit in on a meeting with the coordinators of Casa de Paso and his grandma as they spoke to Pedro about his life decisions. He had made some bad decisions and was about to be kicked out of the Casa. It was an emotional meeting as he was in tears throughout. Since then I don't know if things have changed very much for him. He hasn't seemed to be going to school (Casa de Paso doesn't force the kids to go, although if they want to stay they will go) and hasn't appeared to be very happy either. I think this is because he is torn in his mind between doing the right thing that he knows he should or being the 'cool kid' and doing what he wants. He has a very strong tough guy mentality which I can only assume stems from something in his childhood (even though he is still only 14).
This is Juan Carlos or John Charlie or Chaupus - whichever you prefer. He is really quite the character with a lot of personality. He even knows a good bit of English... well a few words here and there that he likes to mix in with his Spanish to get a laugh out of me. He is the master manilla-maker (bracelet-maker) and has been teaching all the kids in Casa de Paso how to make some really cool bracelets (the kids actually make a little money off the ones they make). John Charlie has actually been in Project Calle before he came to Casa de Paso about 3 weeks ago. Basically that means that he was homeless and living on the street and was able to meet the certain 'requirements' to come into Casa de Paso. This doesn't happen very often as most of the kids on the street have a lot to overcome before they are allowed in (usually drug use and alcoholism). I don't know how long they will allow him to stay in the house as he is already 17 and doesn't attend school. For him his best bet is to find a job while he is in the house before he leaves. He still struggles with his habits of the street as he showed me some of his new found stolen treasures just today. It's hard to break some of the habits of the kids... but with time there is hope that they will all change.
In sharing a little about the kids I hope I can make it feel a little more real for you. It also gives you something specific to pray about if you would like to. Hopefully I will be able to let you know more about some of the other kids in the coming weeks.
