MBA Student's Journey To Mexico With The World Child Project

The following is written by Hannah Ko MBA 2011 for her Applied Management Research Project:

"Our trip to Tijuana started in style: at 7 AM on a Greyhound bus in Compton. We met our client, Johnny Duda, and other members from his organization, the World Child Project (WCP). Their organization seeks to aggregate volunteers from all walks of life to put an end to child poverty through health, education and direct care services. Our AMR team was brought to WCP to focus on how to improve their operations in Mexico. Joining us on the trip were friends of the staff, professional documentarians, and volunteers from a local software company. During the ride, we met our fellow travellers, enjoyed some amazing breakfast burritos and learned more about the orphanages we would be visiting.

During the first day, we stopped at two orphanages, Casa Hogar and Estado 29. Given the stigma of orphanages we were accustomed to, we prepared for the worst. But what we saw was very different from what we expected: shouts of laughter, cozy living areas and kids eager to give you a hug. One of the common trends we heard across both orphanage directors was the need for a more sustainable approach to giving. It is a huge help to receive money and clothes every once in a while, but that type of lending creates a dependency. Building a business model for these orphanages that is self-sustaining gives these kids a much brighter future. Later that night, we discussed possibilities for what this model might look like as we ate at a delicious authentic Mexican restaurant overlooking the Pacific.

We awoke to the sound of the ocean and met at the buffet downstairs. Ebenezer-AC was our last visit before heading home. What was different about this orphanage was the kids they took in. They were each victims of unspeakable exploitation; some abandoned, some sexually abused, some sold for drug money. What struck us was just how well-adjusted these kids were, despite their terrible past. Their shinning demeanors were a testament to the work of Freddy and Eva, the orphanage’s co-founders. They gave up a happy life in Southern California because “God spoke to us and told us to go to Mexico”. They treated each child as if they were their own, and in doing so, created a family. However, the very thing that brought them Mexico was also their biggest pitfall. When we asked about their budgeting process, Eva simply responded “God will provide for us”. So yet another question we’re forced to ponder: how do you help those that don’t understand that they need your help?"