West Leyden Students Travel to Vallarta as Orphanage Volunteers Maryann Pisano - Pioneer Press
go to original June 25, 2016

West Leyden High School students and chaperones did service work in two different orphanages and a daycare center for special needs children during a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. (Cynthia Diaz / Handout)

Students and chaperones from West Leyden High School did service work in three different orphanages during a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There were 45 people in the group, which made the trip from May 31 to June 7.

It was the third year in which a group from West Leyden made such a trip.

"We got so many students to go that we split into two groups every day," said Jason Cummins, the school's assistant principal and a chaperone.

The orphanages the students attended included Casa Hogar and Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, or RISE. The third orphanage, Pasitos De Luz, is for children who are physically and mentally disabled.

"At the orphanages, we helped the students with their homework," Cummins said. "We spent about four hours at each place during the weekdays. They helped them with English, math, science and reading. They did arts and crafts with the kids."

West Leyden senior Jose Sanchez has been visiting the orphanages with the school for the past three years.

"Instead of being a tourist, I thought it would be better to serve a little bit and get involved," he said...

Read the rest at Chicago Tribune.

  Learn about Casa Hogar Childrens Shelter

  Learn about Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (R.I.S.E.)

  Learn about Pasitos de Luz Day Care for Children