Proyecto Santo Nino -- Love Is In The Air

18 December 2009
Written by Hira Reid

In the midst of the violent drug wars in Mexico, the small ASARCO contaminated burrow of Anapra, Mexico continues to produce children with alarming birth defects,
inspite of the fact that the smelter, which lies across the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, has been closed for decades.

3 years ago Sisters of Charity; Carol, Janet and Peggy created a small clinic for the children out of a two room hut. It has been expanded twice now and provides support for 35-40 families with handicapped children. Today, Jean Ferris Reiki Master, Sister Carol, Eva Dominguez and Hira Reid are venturing across the border to have the annual Christmas Reiki Review and Christmas lunch with the mothers.

Our festive mood is not dampened at the Santa Teresa border crossing in New Mexico, when the line of crossing cars creeps at a snails pace. We are delayed by one hour, but once through that fence we turn left and begin to travel along the New Mexico/Texas/ Mexico borders and finally reach Anapra and the mothers and a few children are happily awaiting our arrival. The mothers have cleaned the clinic, worn their finest clothes, sport new hair do's,(all provided by the sisters) and are busily writing their Reiki Experiences for the review.

Hira gets a quick tour by Sister Carol. The place is so amazing; a whirlpool bath
was donated and provides a well needed cleansing for the children, treatment tables are available to do therapy and Reiki, photos on the wall display current children and those who have departed this realm,
a small kitchen area is in one corner and parallel bars in the other corner, along with exercise charts.


The mother's have been trained in Reiki, Thai massage and aroma therapy. The mother's used to hide their handicapped children, but now do not hesitate to show them off. This grandmother proudly shows me her grandchild who will have surgery for the cleft palate.


The clinica provides a safe haven for them to be nurtured and to nurture all the children. The mother's are so grateful for the clinica and for all the gifts they have received.

The written experiences are shared and read as Eva(in blue vest) translates them beautifully and gracefully.

Jean, in her master mode, answers each of their questions and supports all their efforts of daily practice of treating themselves to create a balanced foundation for themselves. With this foundation they can manage their lives better and be of service to all their family members. Several mothers share how important Reiki has been in helping all the family members. They all call Reiki a milagro or miracle and cry as they speak about it.

After everyone receives a Reiki treatment, we dine together eating chicken, peanut thai cold slaw, and a festive christmas cake.



During lunch this mother shares: her son had a virus and the doctor states his brain is the size of a lemon. He is amazed by the fact the boy can swallow and eat and is still alive. Both mother and doctor call him a "Milagro". Both mother and grandmother have commited to the Reiki program of treating the children and helping in the clinic for a year.

All the mothers have gifted Jean with a clay molding of a ring of children that they purchased with their meager supply of money. Ah!, so much love. The Gifts of Reiki and the Gifts of Gratitude. They go hand in hand to create this Infinite Circle of Light and Love.

It is clear that the clinica with its gentle, but firm direction from the Sisters, has given this small group of mothers and their handicapped children a new outlook on life. They have moved forward in the last three years with commitment and dedication that is rarely seen in higher socio-economic stratas. Love, is definately in the air, and the heavens are smiling down on Anapra and its special Clinica de Ninos. We depart after many hugs and sweet kisses.
Eva doesn't have to translate all this. Love is the language of the heart and never needs translation.

We ride the high road along the mesa on our newly formed wave of love and find only a few cars at the border crossing.

We are home in a matter of minutes feeling full of love and knowing dreams do come true for all who commit.