flora in the front with red top and Jose behind her during our opening receptionLOVE’s first exhibition went well and thank goodness it was over! I’ve been on the edge of my seat all week. I am so honored to have Alvaro Belteran of SancuanJoche Galleria supporting me. Because of without whom, this exhibition would never had happen. He worked so hard and so tediously to put the show together. When I got to Granada Friday afternoon, he and my friend good friend Milagros were working so diligently together to get the photos framed at the gallery in APC.

I was running around like mad and thank God Alvaro had more sense of humor than me at moments like this. He laughed at me and told me what a typical American I was. I was so stressed I swear I thought I was going to die from anxiety.

When the children finally arrived it was heaven! It was great to see the expressions on their faces as they see their work
folklorico dancers of APC for the first time and in such large prints. All of them were there, but my little Saida. Lillian Hall came up to me and said they all responded to their photos pretty well, but Flora. She Flora was in tears and could hardly express her thoughts. I was moved to hear that.

Then while all the people were mingling and talking I saw Flora looking out the windows. She was still crying. In my bad Spanish I congratulated her. She continued to look out the window as if her mind was elsewhere and tears came streaming down even more. I asked one of the lovely young volunteers that stayed at the Quaker House with me to translate for me. I told Flora how happy I am for her and for all of them. That she needs not to be embarrassed or ashamed of anything and that she is a little star now! Everyone wants to know about them! Deep down, what I wanted to tell her was that I hope the tears she is crying were tears of joy and nothing less because from my observation of her physical state, I cannot help but think of other things.

don Juan with the studentsOverall, the night went well. We had one of the major newspapers and one of the major radio stations interviewing us. We had food, in which the children absolutely loved, wine, and live folklorico performances throughout the night. It was a beautiful night.

My deepest gratitude to Alvaro, his father, the director of APC, for their dedication to my cause
Alvaro and I in front of one of my work and the children, to Lillian Hall the director of ProNica for allowing me the opportunity to work with the children of Los Quinchos. Finally I like to thank everyone at Los Quinchos for being the guardian, counselors, and teachers to the children of La Chureca. Thank you for loving them and for bringing the children smiles and comfort when they need them.