At the Family Support Center of Ojochal our volunteers make all the difference to the families we help. They deliver food and vouchers, they check in on progress, they operate La Manita, our thrift shop, and they support our fundraising events.

Recognizing the contributions of these generous members of our community is one way to say Thank You!

Here is a profile of Pam Shwayka!

Pam is a relatively new volunteer, working on Tuesdays at La Manita for about 9 months. Retired from the San Francisco area in 2018, she and her husband are full-time residents in Chontales.

A nurse by profession, Pam built her Spanish language skills in the Emergency Room and is thrilled to be able to put that to work speaking with the local families in search of clothing and other items. “I love meeting people and seeing the smiles on their faces!” she says.

Pam is also creative; loving to sew and make jewelry. She noticed that some items didn’t sell well, so Pam asked if she could experiment in repurposing some things. The result is one-of-a-kind handbags, gift bags, containers, headbands and even earrings made with sterling silver!  

Perfect as gifts, all Pam’s creations are available at La Manita with proceeds supporting the Back-to-School fund. La Manita is open Tuesday and Thursday 9 am – noon.