Saying Goodbye

They did their duty well, these three little ones. Standing resolutely as a representation of our organization for over thirty years, this Children of the Americas logo was stamped, printed and used in public relations presentations for decades. At the time of Children of the Americas inception, the symbols that these children held represented our mission purpose well. Our founding board members believed strongly in justice for Guatemalan people, caring for Central America's sick and in educating the children who were part of our long-term care stateside program. 
Under the  watchful eye of this logo thousands of medical miracles took place for men, women and children in Guatemala. 
As board leadership and members changed, so did the focus and innovative thinking that accompanied them. Strong and insightful new organizational leaders brought fresh ways of thinking to our nonprofit.

These COTA board and volunteer legal advisors have been working diligently to refresh our organizational development. Bylaws have been rewritten; policies polished; legal issues refreshed. Elevating our nonprofit to a new level of professionalism is a commitment to a solid future of continuing to create positive change for the sick and injured citizens of Guatemala. Among the many changes is the focus on projecting a fresh image to our supporters, both with a innovative logo and our newly produced documentary. 

As documents that reflect our updated vision are created, former now-outdated files needed to be purged. Files that reflect the lost hopes of children we could not help, the hours of drafting and implementing state rules on foster care management, and the inspirations we all had for our little nonprofit that dreamed big. Each folder of an unresolved medical case that hit the recycle bin felt like the end of a parent's dream for their child. Every stack of formerly used forms represented a time when too few board members carried the emotional weight and time heavy burdens that would someday be shared by a more competent board. Nine file cabinets full of x-rays, charts and files are being purged as we move forward into a stronger more competent, broad-thinking international nonprofit. 

The tools may change but the character will not. Children of the Americas will continue to be the little organization full of compassionate medical and support crew volunteers who are as dedicated to our patients as they have always been. Our new logo projects that thinking. It is global, maternal and medical all in one sharp new image.

After three decades of service, the three children are now grown.

niños adiós. Trabajo bien hecho. 

(Goodbye children. Job well done.)