Text Box:   Heydi Marisela Rivera Rodriguez         Maricela came to the Good Shepherd Children’s Home April 23, 2002. Her birth date is October 21, 1994. She lives here with her older sister Melissa and they have an older sister who does not live with them.       Maricela’s mother died when she was 3 years old and her older sister, who was only 10 years old at the time, had to take on the responsibility of her younger sisters. The girls also lived with their father, a severe alcoholic who seldom worked.       When Maricela’s older sister left home to work in the coffee fields she and Melissa were basically on their own. They never had food to eat unless they went out begging from house to house for it. They often did odd jobs for neighbors and used that money to buy food.       Later they met a woman who falsely presented herself as a nun. Their father allowed the woman to take them to live with her. He thought she would take care of them since he was unable to. The woman placed Maricela in a couple’s home and was in the process of illegally helping them to adopt her. The couple often would beat her and left scars on her. Her other sister was in the process of being sold by this same woman into child pornography. The police eventually took them out of this situation and brought them to us.       Maricela still needs your help, not only in prayer but also in financial support. For just $25 per month, you can help supply the food, shelter, clothing, education, medical and dental care she needs. Can Maricela count on you to help provide the necessities for her to have a happy and meaningful life?