Faith and Joy for Students in Lima

Fe y Alegría schools in Peru serve thousands of children in impoverished neighborhoods

After spending two weeks visiting our affiliated projects in Colombia and Peru, our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, and I were scheduled to visit with our last school before returning home — the Villa School outside of Lima, Peru. Located in the Villa El Salvador slum district in the outskirts of the capital, the Villa School is a “Fe y Alegría” school. Fe y Alegría schools are a federation of local organizations which offer […]

When Seasonal Work Isn’t Enough

When the tourist season is over in Arizona, parents are often out of work

*Note: This blog was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although much has changed regarding our sponsored children’s learning experience in the past months, our On the Road stories remain relevant in regards to our volunteer coordinator’s work and the impact of sponsorship on children in our program thanks to our sponsors. We are pleased to continue to share stories with you about our work. *** The remote town of Dennehotso, where the Dennehotso Boarding […]

Encouraging Students in Arizona to Read

Page High School administration is in need of literacy promotion for high school kids

*Note: This blog was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although much has changed regarding our sponsored children’s learning experience in the past months, our On the Road stories remain relevant in regards to our volunteer coordinator’s work and the impact of sponsorship on children in our program thanks to our sponsors. We are pleased to continue to share stories with you about our work. *** The town of Page is located amid the stark […]

Head of the Class in Peru

More than ten former sponsored children at the Puente Piedra Girls' Home are school administrators

Located along South America’s central-western coast, Peru comprises arid Pacific coastlands, spectacular mountain ranges and the vast Amazon rainforest. This land has been home to indigenous peoples for thousands of years, including the Inca Empire, the culture that constructed Peru’s most iconic landmark, Machu Picchu. Peru’s rich culture, breathtaking beauty, and wealth of natural resources, however, belie the abject poverty in which many of its residents live. Many rural areas are still recovering from the […]

Valuable Lessons Learned in Manizales

Mothers of children at Centro de Orientación are teaching their children about the importance of education

For our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, and me, our trip to Colombia ended in Manizales, where we visited the last of our three affiliated projects in the country, Centro de Orientación. Established by an order of nuns, Centro de Orientación functions as a community center to rehabilitate mothers who have fallen victim to the ravages of poverty, often having no other choice than to work on the streets of Manizales to make money. […]

A New Kitchen for the Lou Ann Long Girls’ Hostel in India

Thanks to donations from our donors, much-needed renovations took place

In many developing countries, food is often cooked over open fires in poorly ventilated kitchens. It is estimated that 3 billion people worldwide cook over an open flame, which releases toxic smoke that is dangerous to health and safety. The new kitchen is safer for both children and staff members. At one of our affiliated project, the Lou Ann Long Girls’ Hostel in India, the cooks prepared meals for the students […]