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Tim's El Salvador Blog

I've just added a link to Tim's El Salvador Blog to the About Us page, where we have a list of useful and hopefully interesting links related to El Salvador and our ministry there.

In particular, I'd like to call attention to this article about Suchitoto, which is the nearest town or small city to our rural communities. We have visited Suchitoto several times during the last few delegations. A favorite stop is the Center of Art for Peace usually including an inspiring talk by Sister Peggy. Suchitoto is located next to a lake whose islands are home to many species of birds. Here's one example photographed in January 2009:

Comments (0) Added by Kent May 3, 2009 (9:37PM)

What is a “Scholarship” for My Salvadoran Prayer Child?

[Editor's Note: This article was originally published in the May 2009 St. Stephen's Sun.]

So, now you have a picture of one of the children from the school in El Salvador that is our “sister parish” hanging on your refrigerator. You know that you are expected to pray for him/her on a regular basis. You know you are supposed to pray for his/her health, safety, motivation to study. It wouldn’t hurt to include a prayer that the family has enough food to eat daily. You know that we expect you to send a short letter and a picture with us when we visit in November.

But you may have also given some money. What is it used for? That is what this article hopes to answer. During our annual reports, we have discussed the “scholarship ceremony” when the recipients “receive their scholarship packet”. The pictures we give you every year has the student holding something. That is the ‘scholarship packet’. This packet consists of a uniform (white blouse and plaid skirt for the girls, white shirt and navy pants for the boys), a pair of shoes, some spiral notebooks, and pens and pencils. A scholarship also includes a hot meal at lunchtime ($5.00/year).

The “average” cost of scholarship is $60; the actual cost depends on size of uniform, shoes, etc. Give as you are able. It should be noted that local men and women make the uniforms and the shoes, so our scholarship money actually helps to provide employment for some individuals. A win-win situation from our point of view.

So that is what a scholarship is. But what if you are not sponsoring a child – is it OK to still give money? ABSOLUTELY! How is that money used?

First, we make sure that there is enough money to cover the children we have committed to sponsor (120 at this time). Then, some money goes into providing partial University scholarships – administered by a scholarship committee in the community with help from a non-governmental agency we have been working with for 15 years. Some money is also used for purchasing school supplies for the other 400 children in the school who don’t receive a scholarship, but are probably just as needy. Money also goes toward paying the Doctor to work in the Health Clinic, and for providing a wage to the health workers, as well as helping them purchase supplies and equipment.

I hope this provides some clarity as to how your money is used. If you ever have any questions, please ask Kent or Chris Madsen, Ruth Cruddas, or Jill Adachi. Any of them will be happy to answer your questions.

We thank you once again for your generosity, and wish you Paz de Cristo (the Peace of Christ).

Comments (0) Added by Chris April 25, 2009 (10:40PM)

I Have a prayer Child — Now What?

[Editor's Note: This article was published in the February 2009 St. Stephen's Sun.]

Our whole group met Felipe and his family quite a few years ago (1998), but Ruth and Mike formed a special bond with them right away. Felipe and our translator and guide Brenda had a joyous reunion when she saw him as we were walking around Sitio Nuevo – the community next to Guillermo Ungo founded by a group of “war wounded”. Brenda had cared for him when they were both taking refuge in the San Salvador Cathedral during the war. His legs had been blown off by a mine. He was now married. Through the years Ruth & Mike have made a special point of visiting him, watching the changes in his family as his children grew - in number and size, admiring his new house when the family moved, etc. So, when one of the young ladies that Ruth & Mike were sponsoring graduated and moved on, it was natural that they would “adopt” 9-year-old Maria Reina – one of Felipe’s daughters - as a “god daughter”. Her face lit up when Mike told her he was her “padrino”. He bent to her level, looked her in the eyes and told her what that meant. It meant that he had an obligation to pray for her regularly, to write to her at least once a year at delegation time (if not more often), watch her grades, and to give her a picture of his family so that she could pray for him. Her obligation was to study and do her best in school.

[NOTE: Although we use the terms “prayer child” and “sponsor”, the children use the terms “madrina” (godmother) and “padrino” (godfather). This is part of their culture, and it is the best way of translating our relationship. If you think about it, isn’t prayer the primary function of a godparent?]

By accepting sponsorship of one of the scholarship recipients, we ask that you accept the obligation of praying for the child on a regular basis. We ask that you communicate at least annually to that child. Yes, there is a language barrier, but if you keep the message simple they can get it translated. Sending a picture of you and your family is a tremendous start. When we started this program in 2003, we did our best to bring a picture of you to the child you were sponsoring. This year, much to our surprise, we saw several of these cards with pictures. We thought they were probably all long-gone – but we were wrong. We know that most of you will never actually visit Guillermo Ungo, although the experience of meeting your prayer child is incredible. One way we try to help is that during each delegation we eat at the homes of different scholarship recipients and we try to tell them something about you. We are your representatives.

We have been told that our annual presence is unusual. They are used to delegations who they see one day, and never hear from again. Although our program certainly will not solve the problems of this small country, it does give the children in the rural area of Guillermo Ungo hope. I believe with all my heart that on some level these children work a little harder and their parents provide a little more support for them because they know they have a friend, somewhere, who believes in them. That is what accompaniment (the foundational philosophy of our program) is all about. Journeying together, learning from each other…”Building Relationships for Better Lives”.

If you are currently sponsoring a child and feel that you can no longer meet the obligation of being a sponsor to a specific child, please let Ruth Cruddas or myself know. We understand that people’s lives and circumstances change. You could also consider co-sponsoring a child with a friend. If you are not currently sponsoring a child and want to - stay tuned. We will have pictures and names soon.

There are several ways to participate in this program for those who are not sponsoring an individual child. We need general financial support, as well as help with fundraising. Your prayers and your assistance in the fund-raising activities are invaluable. We provide funding for: scholarships for 120 children at an average of $60/child, school supplies for the 300 plus children not receiving a scholarship, a few university scholarships and the health clinic. If you have questions, contact Ruth at 768-1580 or Chris at 438-1593.

We are a small church with a big heart, and lots of faith. That is what keeps this program going. Thank You is inadequate, but is all I can say.

May the Peace of God accompany you always.
Chris Madsen

Comments (0) Added by Chris April 25, 2009 (10:10PM)