Welcome to Los Amigos Episcopales
in the Year 2010/2011
What is Los Amigos Episcopales?
Los Amigos Episcopales is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. It is a small but very active part of the diocesan Peace and Justice Ministry, dedicated to supporting Episcopal schools and preschools in the Diocese of El Salvador. Open to all children, without regard to religious affiliation, these schools are located in areas lacking any other educational opportunities.
Additionally, Los Amigos contributes to a Bean Fund which loans money to farmers to purchase seeds (the loan is repaid by the farmers (with a very modest interest) when the crops are harvested).
Who are the members of Los Amigos Episcopales?
Membership is open to parishioners of churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, as well as members of other Christian churches (at the present time there are about 20 members representing 8 churches. Members from St. Thomas Church have been a very important part of this group – five parishioners have travelled to El Salvador (one of them five times), and many have been officers of the organization. The Friday evening meetings are predominantly held at St. Thomas Church.
What projects have we completed in the last few years?
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Our successful “buy a brick” campaign provided funds to purchase a home adjacent to San Andrés, and convert it into five classrooms.
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Built and maintain the Los Amigos Episcopales Clinic adjacent to the school of San Francisco de Asís.
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Provided bathrooms and a water system for the school and church at San Francisco de Asís. -
Built a holding tank for water for the school at San Andrés.
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Provided outside gym sets for several schools.
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Provided hundreds of scholarships for students.
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Provided earthquake and hurricane relief funding.
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Initiated libraries for all schools.
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Sent hundreds of Spanish books to expand libraries.
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Provided musical instruments for a large band (Marty’s Pals Band).
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Donated start-up funds for a women’s craft project at El Maizal.
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and much more...
What is our most immediate commitment?
To provide scholarships for 11 needy students ($268 each per year) at San Andrés Apóstol School and to assist many older students in completing their high school education in the area of El Maizal ($100 to $200 per student per year).
How many schools are there, and where are they?
There are five earlier-established schools which Los Amigos members have often visited.
They are:
- San Andrés Apóstol, Soyapango, Amatepec
- San Miguel Arcangel, Quezaltepeque
- San Rafael Arcangel, Santa Ana
- San Mateo, Lourdes
- San Francísco de Asís, Lourdes.
In additon, there is the new school (La Divina Providencia, at El Maizal) which has been established in a small village of new homes. These homes were built by Episcopal Relief and Development, in a program very much like Habitat for Humanity.
Where and when are meetings?
Monthly meetings are usually on the second Friday evening of the month. For specific information, please see St. Thomas Sunday bulletin or email Ruth Ihde.
Last updated 09/16/2010