Friday, October 26, 2007

Photobucket Album


THANK YOU LETTER TO FOUDATION

Almost 5 years ago, David Chimal Yam was traveling back from a long trip to Portland Maine, where 5 renowned cardiologists told us there was nothing they could do to help him, he would need a full lung and heart transplant and he was not strong enough for that type of operation, his parents dealing with resignation and he was happy to have traveled in a plane and seen the USA even if it was just the hospital, (about 40 pounds) he started learning English and his dream became visiting Disney, he saw information in a brochure about the Make a Wish foundation at the house we were staying at, they were able to make those kind of wishes reality, totally out of reach for a poor family already deep in debt with all the costly hospital and treatment expenses back home. 2 years later he had another operation that improved his condition but being 12 and weighing 21 kilos makes his life limited in many ways.



Almost 5 years later Rosario called us and what seemed impossible started happening we were sent to the Hyatt hotel in Merida through ADO to get visas. At the hotel the party started, a celebration around David, a visit from Donald, a delicious chocolate cake, cards, presents and the interest from everyone to make his wish come true, he was having a hard time understanding, why so much attention?, why the many gifts?



October 19th we started believing it, we were on our way to the airport, with special t shirts, a soccer player greeted us from David´s favorite team, presents, cake and balloons from that moment on it was all a dream, a lot of people that we did not even know were wishing him a great trip, and it was great indeed, everyone we came in contact with treated him as if he was the most important person in the universe, the airport cart form American Airlines was decorated as a dragon and gate G10 was a castle, he got so many gifts that we carried bags and more bags drawing a smile in David from ear to ear and did not vanish until we came back it was really a dream.



We met Marco from Puerto Vallarta and together with Jan they became immediately the 3 monkeys with same interests and likes, the park that they enjoyed the most was Epcot, because of all the video games and space simulator, and the soaring flight as well as the 3 dimensional movie. We stayed at Give Kids the World Village, a place out of a story book with games and attractions, swimming pool and the free restaurant buffet to have breakfast and dinner, in which all employees treat you as if you were the king of the world and there is a golf cart just dedicated to deliver free cookies and lemonade in the afternoons, a place where there is free ice cream all day long. Nothing was “No” in this trip, nothing was too much, too expensive, too far or not possible, everything was “Yes” to David , whatever you want, even his mom was a little worried he would get too spoiled.

But spoiling someone in this way was possible thanks to your foundation, and for that we send you and all the volunteers a big hug, pictures and our deepest thank you, because this memory will be engraved in all of us for as long or short our life will be and I can honestly say that what you do, will come back plenty fold in blessings and love for having made David and Marco and all of us accompanying them so happy, no one can tell how much time they will live, but you have given Life to their time and the kind of happiness, will be carried in memories, presents and pictures for a long ,long ,long time http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f83/claudiadeplaya/graciasplaya/

God Bless you!

MUCHAS GRACIAS

Wednesday, October 17, 2007




some time ago....... published by Playa Maya News http://www.playamayanews.com/community_action/gracias_playa_seeks_assistance.html

Gracias Playa Seeks Assistance





Friday, 15 April 2005
Gracias Playa is a website to assist patients, with little or no money, to pay for costs of their treatments, medication, and studies.

We work with doctors that donate their time to help people heal, but with every diagnosis brings a list of needs. We like to barter, that’s why there are tours, coupons and sponsors on our site. Patients live in this region so it is possible to contact them directly, so it easy to lend a helping hand...
Most of them sell second hand clothes and goods to help pay for their costs, but they also need help and involvement from the community, so Gracias Playa is another way to make people aware of specific needs. We volunteer for several non-government organizations, but do not belong to a specific one, we are not an organization, political or religious group, and our main focus is to work for the patients. Although we try to do it quietly, we now need more help and involvement in order to reach more people in need.

On Sunday April 10, 2005 the wish of 12 families was granted. They were in need of a visit from a qualified doctor, and thank you to 2 local men, it was made possible. Gabriel Rodriguez Leal and Gabriel Masón arranged and organized a local clinic for the community of Dos Palmas. One offered his home, and turned it into a clinic, and the other one organized the visit and brought food for the people that traveled from as far as Pisté Yucatan and Kawa. Gabriel Lael also helped as a translator, as most of the abuelitos, do not speak Spanish.

Dr. Adriana Romero, offered her services with the love and patience that only those who are really devoted to their medical profession know, Roy Hansen, a local chiropractor, has been donating his time, for more than a year now, working with people in marginal communities of our region, without being Mexican, he has taken on the responsibility of helping here without asking for anything but a hug in return. For the most part, he does not need to ask, he is showered with hugs from abuelitos, children and their very grateful families.













Dos Palmas is not far from Playa del Carmen. Head south towards Tulum, just one exit before Hidden Worlds, where it says Ejido Jacinto Pat, there is a dirt road that goes in and then turns right into Dos Palmas. There is a big sign here is well. Eleven families live here, and Gabriel Masón´s house is the one we use as a clinic. We are intending to bring doctors the first sunday of every month.




Taking care of these patients leaves us with a deep sense of satisfaction but also with a long list of needs, medication, vitamins, radiology studies etc. If you wish to help bring these people the promised remedies please contact Claudia at 984 8793228 or write to mailto: claudia@graciasplaya.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or visit http://www.graciasplaya.com/ for more information.
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Saturday, October 13, 2007




Mahahual is a small community on Costa Maya, which was affected by Hurricane Dean this year, the destruction was massive on this and other maya communities on the path of Dean.
Playa Locals have been going down with convoys or making private runs to bring humanitarian help to this area in great need. Help is still needed.
Luna Blue Hotel has made their paypal account available for donations and have made several trips spending all donated money in food and needed items and distributing it to the hands of people in need with some volunteers like Heather from Playa.info, Joining the convoys the Dutch community of Playa has done a lot of trips with us as well and have raised funds too.
Other forums and websites are also raising funds and helping there is a list of them in helpafterdean.com
People keep bringing extra suitcases with clothes and toys, it is an area that will still need a lot of help for a long time to come, please contact kevin at costamayaliving if you want to help. or me at claudiadeplaya at hotmail.com we don´t accept cash donations but will gladly help you help.