Stanley's Kids...The story
school
Para Dios lo imposible no existe // With God the impossible does not exist!
Those are the words that are inscribed above the playground where 7 year-old Stanley Vallecillo attended school in Managua and for his parents, those words still hold true. At birth, Stanley was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, a diagnosis in Nicaragua that most times means a life of confinement to home and family. Richard and Mayling Vallecillo vowed that their son would live a life contrary to his circumstances and that's exactly what he did. Stanley thrived....he had a smile that would light up a room and his love of life and the sport of basketball was contagious.
In May of 2016, young Stanley passed away from a tragic accident, but his parents did not want their pain to be wasted. Their loss has turned into a ministry for children in Nicaragua who, like Stanley, deserve to be able to live life to the fullest. Stanley's Kids began in November 2016 in the classroom where Stanley attended. When we began, parents shared the difficulties of raising these children in a culture where they are shunned and forgotten. Transportation is very difficult for these children who have both physical and emotional disabilities as crowded public transportation is the norm. There are also few schools or educational programs in Nicaragua that will allow children with special needs and abilities to attend therefore, the need is great.
Just as Stanley's parents vowed to give Stanley the opportunity to interact socially, to learn and to thrive, these parents -as most others in Nicaragua- want to see that their children have the same opportunities. This is why we GO, this is why we GIVE....
THIS IS STANLEY'S KIDS!
Para Dios lo imposible no existe // With God the impossible does not exist!
Those are the words that are inscribed above the playground where 7 year-old Stanley Vallecillo attended school in Managua and for his parents, those words still hold true. At birth, Stanley was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, a diagnosis in Nicaragua that most times means a life of confinement to home and family. Richard and Mayling Vallecillo vowed that their son would live a life contrary to his circumstances and that's exactly what he did. Stanley thrived....he had a smile that would light up a room and his love of life and the sport of basketball was contagious.
In May of 2016, young Stanley passed away from a tragic accident, but his parents did not want their pain to be wasted. Their loss has turned into a ministry for children in Nicaragua who, like Stanley, deserve to be able to live life to the fullest. Stanley's Kids began in November 2016 in the classroom where Stanley attended. When we began, parents shared the difficulties of raising these children in a culture where they are shunned and forgotten. Transportation is very difficult for these children who have both physical and emotional disabilities as crowded public transportation is the norm. There are also few schools or educational programs in Nicaragua that will allow children with special needs and abilities to attend therefore, the need is great.
Just as Stanley's parents vowed to give Stanley the opportunity to interact socially, to learn and to thrive, these parents -as most others in Nicaragua- want to see that their children have the same opportunities. This is why we GO, this is why we GIVE....
THIS IS STANLEY'S KIDS!
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Stanley Vallecillo
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7 year-old Stanley Vallecillo was the center of his family's world. Today, in memory of this special child, many others with special needs and abilities in Nicaragua are able to come out of the shadows and are given the opportunity to thrive!