Posts by John Nelson
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Photos posted: Father Keane and Jim Rolquin in El Salvador
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.
TLAU Becados 2009: Pictures and Profiles
Please check out these photo profiles of the 2009 TLAU becados.
Centro Escolar Fray Sammy Guido Vellardita
A new approach to scholarships…
A trip to El Salvador invariably means long hours sitting in the passenger’s seat of Walter’s truck, so naturally I use it as an opportunity to really dig deep into what is going on with TLAU’s Salvadoran operations. As we talked about the scholarship program, which now sponsors seven high school students and three university students, Walter commented on a common mistake made by many non-profits and charitable organizations: slowly degenerating into a simple reservoir of handouts, thereby greatly diminishing the value and power of the donor’s dollar. It works like this: If a donor makes a contribution to TLAU and we in turn give it to a student and do nothing else, even if it is in the form of books, tuition, or transportation, that’s all the charitable donation will bring: a book, a semester of school, or a ride on the bus. Such a transaction also seems to strip the donation of much of its force as a moral statement, leaving it as a bare lump sum of cash. However, if TLAU takes a donation and gives it to a student with the condition or understanding that that student will use his or her gift to help someone in a similar situation, the power of that donation or act of charity is greatly amplified. For not only does the student receive an education and hope for a better future, but that same gift is in turn given to another, and the initial act of charity on the part of the donor reverberates as an act of love should. It’s actually a very simple concept that got me looking for the translation of “chain” and “web” in my Spanish dictionary as I sat in Walter’s truck, and I’m sure you’ve seen it played out or elaborated in other ways, such as the saying “teach a man to fish…” or in that movie Pay it Forward (which I found a little too saccharine).
So what we’re planning to do is to add another prerequisite for TLAU aid, namely a promise before God made by the student that one day, when they have work and a steady income on account of their education, they will support another (a family member would be ideal) in the same way. It is just a promise, which I agree probably doesn’t amount to much in our circles. But I will vouch for the character of the TLAU becados and say that things work differently down there. It may take them a while to get around to it, and they may not do things like Americans do, but they will keep their promise.
So hopefully I have added to the list of reasons to donate to TLAU.
Father Keane’s Trip – April 2009
Photos from March ’09 trip to El Salvador uploaded!
Well, 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.
John in El Salvador – March 2009
Nuestra Señora del Refugio paints mural in honor of Father Keane
If 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
Walter 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.