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.
Some years ago, a psychologist from Massachusetts organized preschools there with the idea that the only way to address the awesome poverty and upheaval in the civil-torn country was to provide education for the children in their most informative years. Following the cessation of the Massachusetts educational grant (three years in duration, ending in 1995), Los Amigos Episcopales voted to continue funding and support for the five schools now active. The number of students now enrolled is slightly under 1200 and most students are non-Episcopalians.
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 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 10 churches). These are people sufficiently dedicated to the mission to work very hard providing funds and assistance to the schools and the Bean Fund, and, more importantly, to visit El Salvador often to assess the needs there and work on building and repair projects (our most recent trip was in July 2005). All members are volunteers, including the officers. There is no paid staff. At present, the Board of Directors consists of:
President |
Ruth Ihde | |
Vice-President |
Scott Munson | |
Recording Secretary |
Linda Hoakiko | |
Corresponding Secretary |
Charlotte Rodriguez | |
Treasurer |
David Miller |
What is the source of funds?
Los Amigos solicits funds from churches and individuals, as well as participating in various fund-raising projects. Our current project is to sell "bricks" to renovate a home being purchased for use as five classrooms at San Andrés School. All moneys are forwarded to El Salvador for use there. The annual budget is approximately $10,000 to $25,000, but this does not include funds sent directly from churches here to El Salvador, in response to our appeals.
What projects have we completed in previous years?
- Built and maintain the Los Amigos Episcopales Clinic adjacent to the school of San Francisco de Asís.
- Provided bathrooms and water system for the school and church at San Francisco de Asís.
- Built a holding tank for water for the school of San Andrés.
- Provided gym sets for several schools.
- Provided hundreds of scholarships for students.
- Initiated libraries for all schools, including donating hundreds of Spanish books.
- and much more....
What is our most immediate commitment?
- To complete the project of adding classrooms to San Andrés School.
- To provide scholarships for 100 students ($250 each per year).
Where do we meet?
Los Amigos Episcopales welcomes parishioners of the Diocese of Ohio, as well as all area residents interested in our work. We generally meet on the second Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in Harkess Hall at St. Thomas. We begin with a potluck followed by a business meeting. We do, on occasion, meet at other churches in the area.
For information on upcoming meetings and events, please see the Sunday bulletins and the Wayfarer Newsletter or email Ruth Ihde.