 | | | Let the Children Live ! founder Father Peter Walters with two of the hundreds of children he and his group serve. Photo provided | | | | | | There are defining moments in life, when chance meets destiny and forever alters someone's future.
In 1982 Peter Walters was traveling on the cheap like many students. At some point he found himself in Colombia, completely out of money for the two weeks he had to wait until his return flight to his native England. Street children who were begging for bread understood his situation and "adopted" him until he left. The young man, who was to be ordained an Anglican priest, was forever changed by these two weeks, and has since devoted his life to the welfare of Colombian children.
Father Peter, as he is now known, has a family in Lamorinda, a brother, sister-in-law and nieces. With friends, they have organized a gala around the time Father Peter will be with them for Thanksgiving. The community is invited to hear to stories and participate in good deeds.
Margaret Walters from Orinda and her friend Margaret Scheving from Lafayette are the two driving forces of the Let The Children Live! Gala that will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Hacienda de las Flores in Moraga. Walters describes the mission of Let the Children Live! (Viven Los Ni§os) 501C-3 organization as helping to protect and educate the children most at risk in Medellin, Colombia. A house that was purchased there in 1994 is a day center for the children when they are not in school. In Colombia, some kids go to school in the morning, others in the afternoon. In the center they are kept away from the streets, the drug dealing and the gangs, they are fed, they get homework help, English instruction, participation in a very successful choir, and other activities. The foundation's second building is a residential home for children who have no other option.
"The foundation also provides support to special education children and to teenage moms," adds Walters. She explains that the education provided at the foundation is not religious, but may have Catholic undertones, as Father Peter was ordained a Roman Catholic priest after a few years in the country.
"He is absolutely not dogmatic," adds Walters. "He and his group do what has to be done in a pragmatic way." Over the years many children have been given a better future.
The gala will be a free event to come, listen to the music by the Bentley choir, to enjoy dancing - swing dancing instruction will be offered - to sip Captain's Vineyards wine, to taste the food offered by Lamorinda Catering (Roos Pal), and hopefully to contribute to the cause of the Columbian children.
"There will be many different ways to donate for the cause," says Walters, "People can buy a $15 card that will feed a child in the day program for a week, they can purchase a $12 back-to-school kit, or contribute to the uniforms and shoes the children need to go to school." She adds that the list of needs is very long, such as the construction of an elevator for the special-ed children or the acquisition of a piano for the music program.
During the evening of Nov. 19, Father Peter will make a presentation about his program and will respond to questions. More information about the foundation can be found online at http://letthechildrenlive.us/. People can R.S.V.P. at mscheving@yahoo.com.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA