Zach’s red coat clung to his arms as he raced through the crowded room. His six- year old body wove effortlessly through the other students gathered for an after school program. His sneakers screeched to a stop abruptly in front of his favorite program volunteer. Nose running, lips covered in chips, Zach looked up with… Read more
At the recent Open House in Cincinnati, Cancun Site Directors, Erick and Julie Mowery, announced that after six years in Cancun, they will transition back to the United States in late 2017. Erick and Julie will continue their work as Back2Back staff to expand the Strong Families program, which began under their leadership in Cancun,… Read more
13-year-old Miguel furiously scribbled small notes, trying to catch every piece of information Jorge shared. Jorge Vieyra, Back2Back Cancun staffer and senior Psychology student at a local university, explained to eager ears the ins and outs of psychology and the careers it can open up. As Jorge unpacked the adventure of the human mind, other… Read more
At age 13, Happy is the youngest girl at Bethany House, a Back2Back Hope House. When she first arrived, Ruth, the House Parent, noticed how much the little girl would eat. “At meal time she was always eating much more than she actually needed,” recalls Ruth. “If the other children had leftovers, Happy would eat… Read more
Lively laughter and “stop pushing me,” erupt through the multi-purpose room entrance at the Community Center of Tres Reyes. Oti’s 6 daughters, one of Back2Back Cancun’s Strong families, race toward an open table where Dr. Justin Dukes from Greenville, South Carolina, debriefs with a Back2Back staffer over their last appointment. 16-year-old Jeny wins the race,… Read more
The ping of dribbled basketballs, the deep thud of a kicked soccer ball, and a choir of laughter echo onto the dusty road in front of the Community Center at Tres Reyes. Behind the gates, orchestrated flurries of kids – sporting new, green jerseys – yell, “I’m open!” as anxious parents cheer from the sidelines…. Read more
Fednia came to Harvest Care Children’s Home confused and afraid. She was unexpectedly transferred from another children’s home and wasn’t told why. Being uprooted once again created another painful rip in her heart. She arrived at Harvest Care wounded and angry, with thick emotional walls around her small frame. For the first few months, Fednia… Read more
STINT: a short-term, international staff position lasting from 3 months up to one year My adventure to becoming a STINT-er began in the summer of 2015 when the opportunity to intern for Back2Back Cancun, seemingly, fell into my lap. I had other plans of how to spend my summer, but through a beautiful orchestration of… Read more
A boat, affectionately called “La Cucaracha,” cuts through Caribbean blue waves on its way to a small island near Cancun. On board, a group of young girls from throughout Cancun rock back and forth. Some carefully peer over the side, keeping their balance on their knees. Others, like Ami, grip their lifejackets dedicated to looking… Read more
“Que onda!,” Juan greets his friends. Juan doesn’t welcome with a handshake, but a tight embrace. He is funny, a bit of a jokester, but most of all, he is a joy to be around. He loves his friends fiercely. This is far from the boy who arrived at Rancho de los Niños ten years… Read more