When the Zumers Roots & Shoots members enter the dusty playground, faces light up with smiles. There are only eight or 10 of them there, but it's a big event when they pay a visit to the Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage in the Matamoras region of Tijuana, Mexico.

Members of the Zumers Roots & Shoots group from Malibu, California recently made their third trip to Casa Hogar Sion. Supported by the Corazon de Vida (Heart of Life) organization, the orphanage was established by a married couple who sold their home to buy the land, where the orphanage now sits.

Most of the children who live there were rescued from living on the streets. Some have been abandoned by their families. Their lives have not been easy, but when they have visitors, life seems better.

"The kids at the orphanage get so excited [when we visit]," said Gloria Van Santen, the Zumers group leader. "Many of them are starved for attention and affection."

Before each trip, group members spend several weeks collecting donations of school supplies and baby items to deliver to the kids at the orphanage. The Zumers have been a Roots & Shoots group since 1999, so they've developed some effective tactics for getting donations.

They approach businesses and ask for permission to stand outside and hand out fliers to customers. The fliers include a description of their project and a shopping list of needed items. Customers can take the flier into the store with them, buy items on the list and drop off their purchases with the group members on their way out.

Gloria corresponds with the orphanage staff via email to arrange the visits. Once they're ready, they pack up all the donated stuff and hit the road for the three-hour drive to Tijuana.

As they cross the border into Mexico, the Zumers notice the desert landscape, the run-down shacks and the many flies. By the time they get near Casa Hogar Sion, the paved highways have turned to dirt roads.

"The kids are speechless," Gloria said. "You go from this affluence in San Diego to unbelievable poverty."

But once they get to the orphanage and unload the donations, it's play time! Most of the Zumers have studied Spanish in school, so they don't have trouble talking to the kids at the orphanage¿and both groups learn that they have a lot more in common than language.

"I can't tell you how cool it is when the U.S. kids start playing with the Mexican kids and realize that they all like the same things and want to play the same games," Gloria said.

The ride back to Malibu and the weeks after their trip are a time for reflection and discussion about what they've observed and learned through the trip.

"It's so great for them to see how lucky and privileged they are [living in the United States]," Gloria said "and they really feel it."

Tijuana isn't the only place the Zumers travel to. Next August, they're going to Tanzania¿and they're inviting you to go too! If you're interested in joining the Zumers as they connect with Tanzanian Roots & Shoots members, email Gloria Van Santen at quarklie@aol.com. The reservation deadline is January 30, 2008.