​President’s Note: When my parents took a group of families to Cuernavaca in 2001 to meet the people and see the beginnings of the Community Center and the breakfast program at La Estacion, the school the young children attended was a few steps away. The first thing we did was to build bathrooms in the school’s playground. (Erik Friend)

 

Hello Good People: My name is Imelda Rubio Jose Leon, but the children call me Mother. I was asked to tell you about me.

 

​Some 40 years ago, I entered religious life. It is my essence, my being, my soul. Within this life, I give myself to the children. I am a nun with a degree in education, and the church sent me to many schools throughout Mexico. For most of my life as a nun, I have worked with 3-year old, 4-year old, and 5-year old children, but I also enjoy working with young people. This is who I am, and it is thanks to my family.​

 

My parents taught me that a life should be filled with sharing and serving my family and others. Maybe this was because I had 13 brothers and sisters. My home life was all about helping each other. We had a big, beautiful family and that is what I wanted when I grew up. I dreamed of this, but little by little, I discovered that I could give more and serve more in an environment within the church. My father’s sister, Tia Clarisa, was a nun in Rome. When she passed, I felt called to follow her – to give more service. This is when I decided to follow Jesus, and it is the best thing I have done with my life.

 

​In the religious part of my being, it is to serve God where He is most needed. The church as an institution sends us to the places that are most in need of what we individually have to offer. Last year, the church assigned me to Cuernavaca. I have learned many things – not about how to teach children, I know that, but what it is that they most need in this environment. Through the learning process, the children come to trust and respect me. They know that I love them all, and I now know what they need.

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In Cuernavaca, the biggest challenge is being able to create a safe environment for the children. Many little ones live in situations where they are not protected due to social situations or mothers who go to work and sometimes leave them almost on the street. Not all mothers are well-prepared and responsible for the children, so I show the children that I am here for them and the teachers are here for them. They will learn many things in school and on the street, but we need to give them emotional security. We reinforce our emotional support over and over again.

There are many examples that I could tell you about why providing a safe environment is important. It is difficult to pick one, but here is a very strong story that touched me.

 

​A little girl’s mother had been killed. When she arrived at school, she spoke to me, “Mother, my mother is no longer here.” I had to answer her, so I said, “that is true. Physically she is no longer here, but she is still with you. You are not alone. You have your aunts and your father.” I had to tell her that she has people and that she is safe. The life experiences of such little ones, leave a mark on you.

 

​These are the personal stories and how they affect me, but there are also service projects in the school community. I see personal growth in the students and in the teachers. I see children who first arrived crying and now hug you when they arrive. I see the need to buy air conditioning, and parents holding bingo games to raise money for fans. I see growth in what the school can provide. We are dreaming of having a psychologist, someone who could professionally help the students because the mothers cannot afford it.

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This is my philosophy: do not stop dreaming. Dreaming comes at no cost and dreams can become a reality.

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There is one last thing I would like to say. I see all the good works that have come through community with Karitas. For many years, you have made it possible for the children to be in school. I see their dreams move forward because you care. We pray for you.

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