In the year 1993, Ramon Aponte, was invited to participate in a 3 days retreat of the Movement Juan 23. Was in this retreat where is born the restlessness and the call from God to work with the children, mainly with the abused children. “The following week after the retreat I began to work as a volunteer in two institutions for children victim of mistreatment and abuse in Puerto Rico, the “Hogar Infantil Madre de la Eucaristía” in the town of San Sebastián and in the “Hogar Posada de Amor” in the town of Manatí” tells Ramon.

He began helping cleaning, cooking and helping tutoring the children in these institutions. For his humorous personality one of the children always asked him why did he not become a clown. He used to answer: “If God will loves for me to be a clown He will guide me step by step”. “By chance or – God Chance – came to the reach of my hands a pamphlet where announced an opportunity for people who were interested in becoming clowns in the city of Ponce, PR” said Ramon to us. As result June 25th 1994 was born “Meneito”, the name was inspired by one of his nephews.

At that time he was dedicated completely just for institutions and hospitals, He didn’t participate on private presentations or in birthdays. Like part of a group of clowns of the Association of Christian Clowns of Puerto Rico, Meneito visited “La Isla de Culebra”, one of the Islands that belongs to Puerto Rico, in a missionary trip. “It was one of the prettiest experiences since I began to paint my face as clown” says very emotive, “When I arrived to my home, with the inspiration of God, began to write a note, which spoke to the children and about what to do if some adult touched their private parts and what to do in case this situation occurs”. It is when a famous flyer is born that he distribute to children until now. (download flyer here)

Among many experiences gain through all the years, one changed his mission completely. He was invited to a television Christian show, in channel 36 located in the city of Levittown, called – Motivos E Ideas – Motives and Ideas. At the end of the show the host told Meneito not to leave because he had something to say directly from God. His words were something like this: “Meneito, I know you don’t do birthday or private presentations, but I feel to tell you from God that you should do it. The children in institutions and hospitals are not the same that go to birthday parties, and they need to hear the message about prevention against abuse too”. In a moment I doubt, but by the grace of God, his Mother made him realize that his call came from God.

“The day my mother made the comment about this I told her a little disappointed, and even a little angry, that if this is from God, He need to confirm it by Himself” said Ramon, “After that, one evening when I came home, among all the messages left in my answer machine there was one where a mother was calling to say thank you. As a result of my flyer’s distribution, her daughter received one, and because of this she get the strength to confess that someone was molesting her. That day I cried and realized that God was backing me up, that everything I’m doing for the children was under His will. Actually I’ve been able to spread the message of prevention against child abuse to children in many churches in the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico, in hospitals but also in birthday parties and private presentations where I’m invited”.

Thanks be the Lord for men and women as Ramon Aponte that are willing to make a change in our society. Today, Meneito offers his educative services about prevention against child abuse among children in a funny way and the way they best understand... Playing.

Many blessings to you Meneito, for your labor in the Kingdom of Heaven, we know God will pay you double for all you’re doing. Go ahead and never give up.

Read Also - "Within Shadows" - How to educate your children about child abuse.

Rafael Vilá ©2008 www.GTFN.org and www.MeneitoPR.com