Ambassador
Ambassador Event
EMBASSY DONATION TO MADRES DEL PACO CHILDCARE CENTER
February 5, 2009
Ambassador Wayne and Colonel Edwin Passmore, Commander, United States Military Group visited on February 5 a childcare center run by Madres Contra el Paco leader Maria Rosa Gonzalez to donate a stove, child-sized tables, chairs, plates and utensils. The funds for the donation came from the U.S. Embassy’s Military Group humanitarian assistance program.
“The U.S. Embassy is proud to partner with such courageous women who work to make the future for the children of Ciudad Oculta brighter,” said Ambassador Wayne at the donation ceremony.
“Maria Rosa Gonzalez and the Madres Contra el Paco have dedicated themselves to saving the lives of their children from the dangers of paco. We have worked with Maria Rosa and the mothers for more than a year. Maria Rosa has worked for eight months to build this care center for the children of Ciudad Oculta. Many of the children who spend time at the center are children of paco addicts. The center provides these children with healthy activities to prevent them from following the same path. Our donation is a small gesture of our support for the important work undertaken by the Madres Contra el Paco every day,” said the Ambassador.
“I thank Ambassador Wayne and the Embassy’s support since I received the “International Woman of Courage” award. The donation helps us provide better care to the children of Ciudad Oculta, who deserve an opportunity to live healthy and free from drugs”, said Maria Rosa Gonzalez.
Maria Rosa Gonzalez was distinguished as “2008 Mother of the Year” by SUSANA magazine, and was awarded the Isalud prize for her efforts to raise society’s awareness of the dangers posed by paco, to make it a public health concern. Isalud prizes, given every year by ISALUD Foundation, recognize the work and commitment of people and institutions that have developed significant activities or actions in the fields of health, environment, the economy and society.
