Last Day Ancilla Pre-School

Dear Ancilla Center Staff,

I want to thank all of you for all you have done to care for Joaquin during the past two years at the Center. I remember coming to visit the Ancilla Center before I went to China to adopt Joaquin. I was so impressed by how interested the staff was in anticipating what he would need and how they could help. I had a real sense of peace that Joaquin would be well-cared for, even when I had not yet met him myself and was uncertain about what he’d need to adjust to his new life.

When Joaquin started at the Center, he was a little boy with almost no ability to understand or speak English. He was bowl-legged from living in a walker and so undernourished that he looked to be a year younger that his actual age. He could use the stairs only with a lot of assistance, and was so tiny that the kids’ sinks were too big for him. He didn’t understand most of what went on around him, and hung back to observe most of the time.

Today, Joaquin bounds up and down the stairs, loves to go into the office to get a big hug from Mrs. Dedeke, runs and jumps all over the playground; eats like a horse; is very social, likes to be in on the action, “high five” with Mr. Brian, and hug everybody. In a nutshell, he absolutely loves being at the Center. His English has really taken off and he understands most everything that goes on around him. He is curious, loves to learn new things, and his favorite word at the moment is “why?” He has grown like a weed in every way.

I want you all to know how much I appreciate what you have done to help Joaquin catch up with his peers. I can honestly say that every one of the staff at the Ancilla Center has directly cared about and for Joaquin, and I will always, always be grateful to you all. You have been instrumental in his development and I hope you will always know that the work you do is incredibly important. Not every child has needs that were as obvious as Joaquin’s, but your caring, education, and consistent guidance for all the children at the Center make a big difference in their lives!

We will never forget our experience at the Ancilla Center. I wish for you all many blessings and cannot express to you how thankful I am for the work you do.

God Bless You All!