Origins of Los Romeritos
In the fall of 1995, Jamie Marcia, a political refugee from El Salvador, was clowning for the shoeshine boys in a park in the poorest part of Guatemala City. He was introduced to Meggan Parkinson, a college student from Oregon who was in Guatemala to attend classes in theater. When her classes were canceled, she stayed to do volunteer activities with Jaime. The children told Jaime and Meggan that they needed a safe place to stay during the day and encouragement, supplies and fees so they could attend school. Thus the idea of Los Romeritos was born.
Los Romeritos Today.
It has been over a decade since Los Romeritos was started. Jamie and his wife Elisa, the director of the school, still provide care to these street children. Thirty to forty children, between 2 and 13 years old, come each day to receive what may be their only good meal for the day, medical care, educational opportunities, and love. All of this is done without governmental support.
But it can't be done without support of people like you, people who care about what happens to the children.