Project Somos Children's Village - Guatemala

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Remembering Denis

On March. 12th, Project Somos lost one of its biggest supporters. 

Denis Knox, father of Heather Knox (Co-Founder & Country Director), was one of the founding members of the Project. He was a board member for 13 years and a volunteer for 16 years. Since 2011, Denis spent a total of ten months at the Project! 

He poured his heart into Project Somos right from day one. While at the Project he won the hearts and love of all the staff and the children. The entire Somos family mourns his passing, along with so many others. 

Denis was fondly given the title of “SVP”; overseeing much of the SANDING, VARNISHING and PAINTING while at the Project. He launched and ran the Somos “Tuck Shop” (canteen) when visiting volunteer groups were here. He was host to many of those groups. While here, he never sat still, always assisting where he could. 

Denis is survived by his partner Sheila, children; Heather (Greg), Steve (Robin), Heidi (Rod) and stepdaughter, Meghan (Jeremy). He had six grandchildren and on January 30th became a great grandfather. Denis also had many “adopted” children who called him Dad/Papa and many adopted grandchildren that called him “abuelo”. His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of so many. 

 

Denis and Martyn Joseph at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.
Denis, Greg and Heather building the adobe perimeter wall in 2012.
Denis always worked so hard at the Project.

 

Cooking for himself and other volunteers.

 

Denis and Meily in 2015. The kids all called him “Abuelo” (grandpa)

 

Denis painting with his partner, Sheila and granddaughter, Gabi.
Denis volunteering with two of his granddaughters, Gabi and Ellie.

 

Denis with Project Somos’ accountant and Volunteer Coordinator, Claudia.

 

Denis’ “Tuck Shop” (Canteen)

 

One of our Vancouver Benefit Fiestas. Denis with past board member/longtime volunteer/donor, Gin (left) and Amy (admin staff member and past volunteer and board member)
More sanding and varnishing. Bed frames back in the early days!
Denis with his three children; Heidi, Heather and Steve at one of our Benefit Fiestas.
Back in the day when volunteers stayed in the houses with dirt floors and cooked outside. Denis preparing chicken with his two eager “helpers”.
Greg, Heather, Denis and Susan at one of our many “Children’s Days”.
Children’s Day 2013 after we had built the playground.
These kids loved Denis so much.

 

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