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Senior Campus Ministry at JSerra Catholic High School to raise $3K for classrooms at Virgen de Guadalupe
Meet the senior campus ministry students at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. At the request of their theology teacher Robyn Gibson, TLAU’s very own Leonard Nelson recently delivered them a presentation on our organization and the impact it is having on the poor of El Salvador. Evidently what they gleamed wasn’t a sob story or guilt trip or a bunch of boring pictures but a clear challenge to get up and do something. And that they will.
“The goal of the class is to form students to be strong Christian leaders,” says Robyn. “But real leaders are nothing but servants who understand themselves to be part of a larger human family.”
The class was especially impressed with TLAU’s strategy to improve conditions in El Salvador: helping people help themselves while avoiding the “Santa Claus” approach to charitable giving, thereby preserving the dignity of those who need help while simultaneously encouraging a sense of stewardship.
Their plan for Virgen de Guadalupe? A benefit dance (any theme suggestions?), a jeans day where JSerra students may donate to the cause in exchange for the privilege of dressing down for a day, and possibly a family dinner night at a local diner.
“We’re all very excited about this,” their fearless leader adds. “I honestly think my students will gain more than they give.”
And that they will.
Computers for Centro Escolar San Patricio
A note of gratitude from San Pedro émigré
Hello,
My name is Wendy Rodriguez and my family is from San Pedro Puxtla. Although I was born here I was raised for a few years back in San Pedro Puxtla and most of my family is still there. I stumbled upon your website today while googling my town and I just want to say THANK YOU for helping my people.I think that the work you guys are doing, not only in my town but all over, is amazing.
Happy Holidays and God Bless,
Wendy Rodriguez
New photos of second phase of construction at Nuestra Señora de los Pobres
There are some excellent new photos up on the photo page showing the early stages of construction for the two classrooms going up in Zacatecoluca. Click herefor a little background info on the school and its ongoing fruitful relationship with TLAU.
A few mothers have a go at the new foundation. This photo speaks volumes about how focused and effective TLAU’s mission remains.
TLAU becados: a few new faces
Walter sent some information about four new students to be sponsored by TLAU during the upcoming school year. Moises is from El Aulote who wants to study to be a teacher at the University of Sonsonate. Rosario (whom I have known since she was crawling around on the floor of the Garcia family home) wants to earn her high school diploma. Also pictured are Candelaria and Luis, who also want to earn high school diplomas. If you would like more information about the students, their families, or the TLAU Becados program, don’t be afraid to ask. We’d love to hear from you!
¡Terminamos! Project in San Pedro Puxtla complete.
This from Walter (translated):
“Good morning my brothers in Christ-
It has been several days since I have written, but I have not forgotten my responsibilities, it’s just that I have been very busy with work here at the end of the school year.
We have completed the project in San Pedro. Thanks be to God.”
And there you have it, folks. Another two sturdy classrooms for generations of schoolchildren in San Pedro. I for one will be joining Walter in his gratitude.
Nuestra Señora de los Pobres, Zacatecoluca
New winter projects: Virgen de Guadalupe and Nuestra Senora de los Pobres
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.
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
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
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.