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New winter projects: Virgen de Guadalupe and Nuestra Senora de los Pobres

by John Nelson

As the final touches are being put on the classrooms in San Pedro, TLAU is already busy preparing for two new projects that will be carried out simultaneously.

Old, terribly small, and built on very rocky land.

The first project at the Centro Escolar Catolico Virgen de Guadalupe has been in the works for a while, but we have been waiting for them to get their land placed in the name of the local diocese (it is TLAU policy not to improve land owned by the government or private individuals). The school is found in the department of Santa Ana in a very poor “canton” or neighborhood called Cutumay Camones. Most of the school’s 100 students, kindergarten to 6th grade, come from extremely poor families that survive by sorting through garbage at the nearby landfill and selling whatever they find.

During my visit in March I met with the school’s principal, Benjamin Franklin (his real name or a nickname? the world may never know), and he was very hopeful that the TLAU donors would come to the aid of the school and its children. He begged us to consider beginning the classrooms ASAP, but out of respect for our donors we had no choice but to wait until the land was official property of the diocese. You might not be able to tell from the photos, but the school is in bad shape and the children attend class in very poorly wrought buildings on very rocky land. This is a perfect project for TLAU, and with your help we can provide Virgen de Guadalupe with two very sturdy, durable classrooms that will serve generations of children.

The second project will actually be the continuation of an older project at Nuestra Senora de los Pobres (see older posts), where TLAU (using a generous donation from Jim and Monica Rolquin of North Carolina) constructed two

Students at Nuestra Senora de los Pobres

classrooms, bathrooms with flush toilets and provided desks, chairs, and blackboards for the classrooms. But the number of students continues to grow, and TLAU has agreed to provide two more classrooms. Special thanks to the Rolquins for their involvement in this endeavor.

Stay updated through our blog/newsfeed as these two projects begin, and join me in praying for a timely and successful completion of these projects.

Slowly but surely: classrooms in San Pedro coming along nicely

by John Nelson
This photo doesn't show much of the classrooms, but I couldn't possibly choose another

The sign reads: “We give thanks to God and to TLAU for bringing happiness to us.”

Walter sent some great photos of the progress at Centro Escolar Fray Sammy Guido V in San Pedro. View them here.

The photo at left doesn’t show much of the classroom, but I couldn’t bring myself to choose another. I love their custom of making a banner or poster and sticking it in front of a score of cute scrappy children with wide grins.  Makes my day.

Almost there.

Almost there.

Centro Escolar Catolico Fray Sammy Guido Vellardita

by John Nelson

sanpedroMeet TLAU’s latest project: the construction of two classrooms at Centro Escolar Catolico Fray Sammy Guido Vellardita in San Predro Puxtla, department of Ahuachapan.  The school’s six maestros teach 220 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Click here or on the photo at left to view more.

The school is maintained by a very dedicated Franciscan monk originally from Boston.  He has been in El Salvador since the 60s or 70s, although he once had to flee the country during the civil war to avoid assassins.  But if you visit the town now, it is surprisingly peaceful and clean, especially compared to surrounding towns.  The impact that one person can have on the social/economic/demographic trajectory of an entire village is really quite amazing!

Photos posted: Father Keane and Jim Rolquin in El Salvador

by John Nelson
Father Keane greets students at Nuestra Senora del Refugio

Father Keane greets students at Nuestra Senora del Refugio

Father Keane and Jim Rolquin (one of TLAU’s most active donors who funded the ongoing project at Nuestra Senora de los Pobres) recently returned from a trip to El Salvador.  And as you can see in the picture to the left, they received the hero’s welcome that they deserved.

In addition to visiting the completed project at Nuestra Senora del Refugio, they visited Nuestra Senora de los Pobres and met with the “alumnos becados” in Santo Domingo. Take a look at the photos from their trip, found here.

Many thanks for your prayers for their safe return…but keep them coming!  We still have a lot ahead of us.

Photos from March ’09 trip to El Salvador uploaded!

by John Nelson

el-salvador-march-2009-188.jpgWell, I’m back in the states after a very enjoyable trip to El Salvador to talk with sponsored students, visit completed projects, and talk with those who need the help of TLAU.  My plan is to use the next week or so to recount the events of our trip, but for now, take a look at the newly uploaded photos.

To the left, students at Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria in Santa Ana present me with a plaque commemorating the generosity of TLAU donors.

Nuestra Señora del Refugio paints mural in honor of Father Keane

by John Nelson

100_3944.jpgIf I wasn’t traveling to El Salvador in three weeks, I could say with confidence that I’d seen everything.

I don’t care what your soft spot is, whether it’s the mannerists or the pre-Raphaelites, gothic or baroque, Michaelangelo or Raphael, you must admit: that’s one well-adorned block of concrete.  Click here or the photo to the left to see more, including a few of the artist at work.

Especially moving is the banner that sits atop the TLAU logo which reads “Nuestros Angelos tienen Nombre” which translates as “Our Angels have names.”  I’d like to join Nuestra Senora del Refugio in thanking Father Keane for all he does, not only as the most active TLAU officer, but also as a pastor of souls.

Santa Maria, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros, pecadores, ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte!

Final phase of construction underway at Nuestra Señora del Refugio

by John Nelson

100_3930.jpgWalter sent a few shots of the first day of construction of the “cancha” or covered play area at Nuestra Senora del Refugio in Ahuachapan.  TLAU donated the three classrooms on the second floor in the photo to the left, and the large expanse of scorched earth in front of them (extending beyond the right margin of the photo) will soon be covered by a simple but sturdy metal roof.  This is a common arrangement for schools in El Salvador. Since it is a tropical climate, it’s always warm enough to play outside, so walls aren’t necessary.  However, because the equatorial sun is so strong, it is standard practice to provide a covered area for student activities and school functions.  If you’ve ever experienced the sun in Central America, you’ll understand how valuable the shade is.

For more photos, click.