| About Us |
A note from Jim Motyka,
Founder and President of The Hope Children's Mission, Inc.
I grew up in the Chicago area and as a young man, entered the Navy in 1965 and became a plane
captain in the Early Warning Airborne Squadron. After two tours of combat duty in Vietnam, I was
honorably discharged in 1969. Throughout my working days that followed, I was involved in law
enforcement in both the private and public sector and have had experience in operating several small
businesses.
After many years of public service and many long hours, I just wanted to find some peace and quiet,
so I decided to live on my savings/pension and checked out Mexico as a possible place to "hang up
my hat." As a divorced father of 2 grown children, I really had no major responsibilities and started
to envision a life of enjoying the sun and relaxing in a hammock. After checking out several locations
in Mexico, I settled on Catemaco as my retirement place. The climate, lake, and friendly people were
what drew me to this tranquil place in 2005.
For a short while the sun and hammock were heavenly. However, God sometimes has different
plans for us. After getting to know the local kids in my neighbor, I realized I had this longing to want
to help these youngsters by giving them an opportunity to recognize their true potential. So I
forfeited the daily hammock routine and opened up a place for these kids to come in the afternoon to
learn and play. The first day, five children showed up. Two years later, we are serving over 50 and
have already moved into a bigger location.
In the beginning it was no problem to fund this whole mission with my personal savings. However,
with our current growth and future goals, this is rapidly becoming impossible to do. It will now take
a small community of supporters to keep our doors open to the children here. I hope you will
consider coming on board with us. Your prayers, hugs, words of encouragement, and financial
support are always welcome.
Founder and President of The Hope Children's Mission, Inc.
I grew up in the Chicago area and as a young man, entered the Navy in 1965 and became a plane
captain in the Early Warning Airborne Squadron. After two tours of combat duty in Vietnam, I was
honorably discharged in 1969. Throughout my working days that followed, I was involved in law
enforcement in both the private and public sector and have had experience in operating several small
businesses.
After many years of public service and many long hours, I just wanted to find some peace and quiet,
so I decided to live on my savings/pension and checked out Mexico as a possible place to "hang up
my hat." As a divorced father of 2 grown children, I really had no major responsibilities and started
to envision a life of enjoying the sun and relaxing in a hammock. After checking out several locations
in Mexico, I settled on Catemaco as my retirement place. The climate, lake, and friendly people were
what drew me to this tranquil place in 2005.
For a short while the sun and hammock were heavenly. However, God sometimes has different
plans for us. After getting to know the local kids in my neighbor, I realized I had this longing to want
to help these youngsters by giving them an opportunity to recognize their true potential. So I
forfeited the daily hammock routine and opened up a place for these kids to come in the afternoon to
learn and play. The first day, five children showed up. Two years later, we are serving over 50 and
have already moved into a bigger location.
In the beginning it was no problem to fund this whole mission with my personal savings. However,
with our current growth and future goals, this is rapidly becoming impossible to do. It will now take
a small community of supporters to keep our doors open to the children here. I hope you will
consider coming on board with us. Your prayers, hugs, words of encouragement, and financial
support are always welcome.
Claudia is a native of Catemaco. She is currently attending college at a local university on the
weekends and is studying to become a teacher. She is the assistant teacher at HCM and feels this
is a great opportunity to gain experience working with children.
weekends and is studying to become a teacher. She is the assistant teacher at HCM and feels this
is a great opportunity to gain experience working with children.
The HOPE CHILDREN'S MISSION, Inc.
Catemaco, Veracruz in Mexico
Esperanza Misión de Niños
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Mike Vondruska is the Vice President of The Hope Children's Mission. He is from the Chicago area
and first came to the state of Veracruz for vacation in 1996. He became fascinated with this
beautiful state and over time and many return trips, decided to open up an adventure tour company
to bring others to experience what Veracruz has to offer. www.DiscoverVeracruzTours.com
Mike maintains an apartment in Catemaco and met Jim Motyka there in 2005. When Jim decided to
open The Hope Children's Mission, Mike volunteered to help out as a business consultant and also
to work with the children whenever he was in Catemaco. He is great with the kids as his business
back in Chicago is as an entertainer and teacher. www.LearntoJuggle.net
and first came to the state of Veracruz for vacation in 1996. He became fascinated with this
beautiful state and over time and many return trips, decided to open up an adventure tour company
to bring others to experience what Veracruz has to offer. www.DiscoverVeracruzTours.com
Mike maintains an apartment in Catemaco and met Jim Motyka there in 2005. When Jim decided to
open The Hope Children's Mission, Mike volunteered to help out as a business consultant and also
to work with the children whenever he was in Catemaco. He is great with the kids as his business
back in Chicago is as an entertainer and teacher. www.LearntoJuggle.net
Belem Colin Molina is our on-site director and main teacher for The Hope Children's Mission.
She is a native Mexican and before joining TEAM HOPE, was currently working with
another organization in the state of Oaxaca teaching young children with special needs. Belem
is fluent in speaking English and of course, Spanish.
Yahel is her boyfriend of many years and works closely with Belem in Catemaco at HCM.
Together, they make a great team working/playing with the kids. Yahel speaks Spanish,
French, and some English.
She is a native Mexican and before joining TEAM HOPE, was currently working with
another organization in the state of Oaxaca teaching young children with special needs. Belem
is fluent in speaking English and of course, Spanish.
Yahel is her boyfriend of many years and works closely with Belem in Catemaco at HCM.
Together, they make a great team working/playing with the kids. Yahel speaks Spanish,
French, and some English.
