The Latin America Community Assistance Foundation is a non profit public charity with a 501(c)(3) status. Our mission is to improve the lives of the rural poor in Latin America. For ways to share in our mission, please contact us today.
LACA in El Salvador
The Niña Carolina Day Care Center provides for approximately 60 pre-school children of working mothers in the capitol city of San Salvador. Nine students currently enjoy LACA scholarships for their higher education. We also provided funds for rebuilding following the disastrous earthquake of 2001.
Dreams DO Come True - Spring 2009
Rosario recounts her wonderful journey from her poor beginnings to the hope brought by a formal education – an education financed by our donor.
“My name is Rosario Isabel Valle Aguilar. I was born in San Pablo Tacachico, El Salvador on May 6, 1982 to Don Ignacio Nicolás Valle and Isabel Aguilar. I am the fourth child of ten children. My family had very little, but the few things we had, we were taught to cherish. I could only attend the first two years of elementary school because of my severe chronic bronchitis – a terrible disease that made me struggle with every breath. Despite my afflictions while at home, I helped my mother care for my younger brothers and sisters and assisted her with the household chores.
Five years later, with my health improved, I had the opportunity to continue my studies. Through encouragement by my teachers, I dreamed of a university education. Those dreams were to study my love of language and literature. To this, my father would respond, “don’t set yourself up for a letdown The poor do not have the right to dream because our dreams are impossible to achieve.” My family’s financial situation worsened causing my younger siblings to abandon their studies. Frequently, I would pray to God to send me an angel – an angel that would give me that educational opportunity that so dreamed about. One day, I met with Sister Olga and poured out my aspirations, frustrations, and anxieties. Sh reassured me that the poor DO have the right to realize their dreams. “Sí se puede” she continued. I thought to myself, that is why God puts us in contact with noble hearts. Not only did God send me one angel, but he sent two. Lillian Trillo from LACA was in my community leading a medical clinic. She listened intently to my story and goals, then introduced me to Bob Kennis,who graciously agreed to sponsor my university education.
Oh, you don’t know how ecstatic and thankful I was! I worked hard through my studies and I will graduate in May with honors. I am proud to say that HOPE has returned to my family! Because of my achievements, they now believe that dreams DO come true. Presently, all my brothers have returned to school and I intend to help them realize THEIR dreams.” -Rosario Isabel Valle Aguilar, Translated by Lillian Trillo
LACA Makes its Fifth Trip to Tacachico, June 2007
Although this was LACA’s fifth visit to Tacachico, El Salvador, this visit had 
some unique features. Usually the medical team sponsors its clinics in January, but this latest was held in June. LACA’s president, Lillian Trillo routinely organizes these brigades, acquiring staff, planning schedules and packaging medications and supplies. Instead, Mary Mapelli-Conway was the coordinator of this clinic. The staff was smaller - an eight-member team - and it was a new experience for five of the members.
Many circumstance were similar to previous clinics. Patients waited to be seen in a long line before the clinic opened. Staff saw the usual common conditions: dehydration, dry burning eyes and agonizing pain in joints and backs. This year there were fewer new cases of diabetes. LACA staff ’s intensive diabetic education of the local promoters of health during the last two clinics proved successful in this regard. But acquiring the proper medication for this condition remains a major problem.
Because June and July are part of El Salvador’s winter, staff saw many people, especially infants and the elderly, with bronchitis, high fevers, and respiratory infections.
With local support, including the promoters of health and even the local mayor, the LACA staff treated over 820 patients. The volunteers felt fortunate that they had large quantities of medication to provide relief and cures for the many patients they examined.
As a special feature, Dr. Annamarie Young and Alice Wagner conducted a session just for women. They discussed the vital roles mothers hold as primary caregivers and teachers in their families. They also emphasized the importance of mothers taking excellent care of themselves in order to perform these functions. Included in the interchange was the practical topic of disease prevention, which covered hand washing, proper food handling, preparation and storage. On a lighter side, the successful session ended with a hands-on demonstration of skin care with facials and make-up application.
At the close of the medical clinic, LACA’s volunteers evaluated the fifth Tacachico experience as positive for the patients as well as for themselves.
A Man With A Dream: JOSE LUIS MEDINA
Jose Luis Medina is a member of a small community in rural El Salvador. He is a father of seven children, three of whom he adopted. As a Promoter of Health, he treats the basic health needs of his community. His life’s dream, however, was to pursue studies at the university. Following his life’s ambition he began his studies and completed two years. But when his wife was diagnosed with leukemia, he discontinued his courses.
After his wife’s condition improved, Jose Luis applied to LACA for a scholarship. Since he met all the requirements, LACA granted the scholarship thanks to a generous sponsor. Last semester he completed all his course work. Due to his conscientious application he maintained an 8.4 grade point average (on a 10 point scale).
Despite his successful completion of studies, he now faces his most formidable obstacle. In the next eight months he must write and defend four papers before examiners. Although these examinations are challenging, he is confident he can succeed. His chief concern is how to pay for all the fees leading to graduation, which have practically doubled over the last year.
In a personal letter to Lillian Trillo, who knows this man and his family, he writes: “I do not know what to do. You know my situation. I cannot cover this added cost, but I also can’t stop now. I have many sleepless nights. Forgive me for bothering you with my problems.”
What could LACA do? Lil explained the situation to his sponsor who responded generously again and provided the finances he needed to graduate.
Let’s hope that Jose Luis with his financial problem solved will finish his studies successfully. With these five years of studies behind him, he has the opportunity now to become a secondary level teacher, a principal of a secondary school, or an instructor of adult education. Jose Luis will have reached his dream.
Brief Updates
EL SALVADOR
Thanks to you, Friends of LACA, the four toddlers featured in our 2006 fall newsletter all received sponsors to finance their care for one year at Niña Carolina Day Care Center, San Salvador.
Before leaving for Central America in January LACA received a request from the people of Mil Cumbres, El Salvador for financial assistance with their water project. Lil and Elvia visited Mil Cumbres (Thousand Hills), met with the Community’s Water Board Committee and viewed the work that the community have already begun. Lil and Elvia were very impressed with the community’s involvement. Upon their return the Board of Directors voted to fund the project. We will have further articles in the future.
UNITED WAY
In September, United Way will embark on its annual Workplace Campaign. LACA has been certified and has participated since 1994. In addition LACA has been included in the annual Combined Federal and the CA State Employees Charitable Campaigns as affiliates of the United Way of the Bay Area. If your work place participates in these noble endeavors, please consider directing your donation to LACA Foundation. LACA’s Board has certified United Way speakers who will come to your workplace. You may request us through your workplace United Way coordinator or contact LACA at 510-886-0981 or via this website.
OTHER UPDATES: How do LACA stats compare with Doctors Without Borders?
LACA realizes that its foundation is in another league, but as far as percentage points in services and costs LACA can beat Doctors Without Borders.
IRA OPPORTUNITY
One of the Friends of LACA took advantage of a new law: Pension Protection Act of 2006, which provides a limited-time opportunity to make charitable contributions directly from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to qualified charitable organizations without tax consequences. Our friend filled the requirement:
- She was over 70 1/2
- The amount was less than the limit
- She contacted her IRA institution and that organization sent the check directly to LACA.
For further details consult your IRA professional.
A Letter From Teofilo
Greetings from Tacachico, El Savador! Fortunately, I am doing well. I want to thank LACA’s representatives for their advice and counseling which energized me to do better. I feel blessed to have this opportunity to study so that I will be able to help
my poor family and developing country.
Gratefully,
Teofilo Cisneros Portillo
Hope Rises for Tacachico Campesinos
Spring planting in El Salvador begins in May. In 2005, as campesinos surveyed their barren land, the prospects for a prosperous growing season looked dubious without the fertilizers they could not afford. The distressing question of how they would feed their families weighed heavily on their minds.
2005, as it turned out, was an especially bad year for the campesinos. They lost most of their crops. Their land, which consists of dry, barren, rocky soil, never reaps a bountiful harvest, but at least it provides enough corn and beans for their families to subsist on.
The crisis of 2005 convinced the leaders of the campesinos that they must organize to help the poorest among them. They founded an organization called Fondo de Solidaridad (Solidarity Fund) with objectives, goals and a Board of Directors to guide the fund.
LACA responded to their request with a contribution of $5,000. The cooperative planned to purchase seed and fertilizer for the 2006 planting season. After consulting
with agronomists, the Board could justly determine how much the poorest families
required to plant for their needs. When the delivery trucks arrived with LACA financed seed and fertilizer in late April, the campesinos’ faces that had reflected fear, depression and anxiety changed to smiles, hope and thankfulness. Wives and children celebrated. Some families said “God made a miracle.” 50 families received aid.
In early May the campesinos placed by hand the seeds among the rocks, hoping and praying for nature’s cooperation. After the first rain, green shoots sprouted-a promising sight. In fact, the rains were plentiful this year and mostcrops flourished, especially the corn and grain. The women were delighted to have tortillas for their families.
The bean crop was not as abundant, but it was better than the previous two years. The campesinos will carefully collect seeds to replenish the Fondo de Solidaridad bank for the needy in 2007.
Brief Updates
EL SALVADOR
In the Spring of 2006, several members of the LACA team visited Niña Carolina Daycare Center in El Salvador. As always, they were greeted with shouts of joy and expressions of gratitude. Many of the children at Niña Carolina have sponsors who contribute to their attendance at the Center where they are provided with nourishing meals, warm baths andtutoring.Unfortunately, there are still some children in need of sponsorship. LACAhopes the Friends of LACA will be touched by the needs of these littleones and become sponsors. The cost of sponsoring a child for one year is $300.
HAITI
We received this word of thanks from our Haitian students:
We are truly happy to be beneficiaries of your assistance money. We would not be able to attend high school because our parents do not have the tuition. We thank you and we pray for you. May God send his blessings on you every day.
MEXICO
As regular readers of this newsletter know, the Tarahumara Indians in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, have become a special project for LACA. At the end of September, Board member Martha Duarte made her sixth visit to the Tarahumara, this time traveling to the remote village of Samachique in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Samachique, four hours from the city of Creel, is home to some of the poorest of the Tarahumara. Martha brought them food supplies, materials for the women to make their traditional dresses, and winter jackets for the children. Martha was accompanied by Luis Gris and his wife, Francisca. Luis is a journalist for El Heraldo Católico newspaper.
NICARAGUA
In January, 2007, LACA will send a medical brigade to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua – now ranked as the poorest country in Latin America. The team will be sponsored by Dr. Rosa Elena Bello, Founder of the Free School for Adults which
LACA supports. Funds are desperately needed to purchase the medications the team will dispense.
LETTER TO LACA
I just want to applaud all of your efforts and help which contribute to making the world a better place. Thanks for giving me some place to donate money so that I can feel absolutely sure that the money is not being wasted.
Sincerely,
Judy Strebel
San Francisco
Teófilo Portillo Writes To LACA From El Salvador
My name is Teófilo Henriques Cisneros Portillo. I love to study and I know it is the only way I can improve my life and help my family to remove the poverty in their lives.
I live with my mother and four siblings in a small, impoverished community near Tacachico, El Salvador. My two older sisters were only able to attend elementary school - partly because of our economic situation and partly because of my father’s machismo attitude that girls did not need an education. I have younger twin brothers who only reached the fourth grade, again, partly because of our poverty and because of their lack of interest in school.
My father abandoned the family when I was young, leaving us with nothing. Some days we had food, but there were days when we had nothing to eat. There were times when we truly felt orphaned. In spite of all our suffering, I still wanted to study and attend school. My mother struggled to feed us, working hard for meager wages.
Knowing of my great interest to learn, my mother made a great effort to put me through high school. As I prepared to graduate, I knew my mother did not have the economic resources to send me to the university. My goal at this time was to study medicine. I felt this career would give me an opportunity to devote myself to the poor of my community and at the same time help my family rise from the poverty they knew all their lives. Because of the cost and length of study required for the medical profession, I was advised to forget this dream. At this point in my life I found myself in a tremendous inner struggle. Should I forget my dream to attend the university and just find a job to help support my family?
I did not know how to resolve my dilemma so I consulted Sister Olga. I poured out all my frustrations. She advised me not to lose hope, and told me of the LACA Foundation’s scholarship program. After I applied and was accepted, I was overjoyed and immensely grateful that I would be given the opportunity to attend the university.
I selected Computer Systems Administration as a major, knowing this would be a career where I could help my family financially and assist other young people with their careers.
(Editor’s note. Teófilo’s letter was translated by Lillian Trillo, LACA’s President Emerita. Lil chairs the scholarship committee and notes that Teófilo’s education is sponsored by Mrs. Jo Kuenzi. LACA currently funds 22 students at the university level, 8 in tech schools, and 260 in high schools. All are from rural areas and have stories similar to Teófilo’s. There are many promising young people in Latin America hoping for an educational opportunity. If you want to support a student, contact Lillian Trillo at 510-886-0981 or email: laca@lacafounation.org)
Medical Team Visits Latin America for the 6th Time
In October 2004, a 10-member LACA team made its sixth medical trip to Tacachico, El Salvador. Tacachico (translated “little Indian”) is a small town in the center of El Salvador. The terrain is mountainous, but the town is situated in the middle of a bowl-like valley. There are some 25,000 residents who live in the area. Located in the center of this community is a newly landscaped plaza surrounded by San Pablo church, the mayor’s office, a meeting hall, and the market place.
Sunday, October 31, 2004, the staff set up the medical clinic in the mayor’s large meeting hall. Later that day, the team traveled by truck to view LACA’s completed project in the small mountainous village of Plan de Amate, above Tacachico. The journey presented several obstacles—huge boulders and syrupy fields of mud. Finally, the team had to get out and push the truck, and then climb the rest of the way up the steep face of the mountain on foot.
Plan de Amate is composed of many small stick and mud houses with thatched roofs. Among these hovels it was easy to spot the four new concrete blockhouses financed by the Friends of LACA. The team visited the four families—one a widow with six children. Although the families have next to nothing, they eagerly shared their rich tamales stuffed with fresh corn and roasted ears of corn. LACA also financed a pump motor and filter to transport water up the mountain to this poor community. Dependable potable water provides the village with a basic necessity of life.
On Monday, the team opened the clinic at 7:00 a.m. The medical staff gave consults for various ailments, and more importantly, supplied the patients with needed medications. In Tacachico there is a state sponsored clinic that sees patients. Staff members diagnose the patients’ conditions, but they do not have medication to give, and the people do not have money to afford medicine.
The health conditions of these poor people differ from those in the U.S. population. The doctors and nurses saw virtually no obesity and little heart disease. Hypertension and diabetes existed among the elders. The main health problems were headaches, gastroenteritis, women’s problems, infections—especially parasites– backaches and injuries. The team surgeon did many minor surgeries, removing cysts and benign growths, while the chiropractor gave relief to those with strained limbs and backs.
The medical team observed how close these residents live to the earth—eating low on the food chain with little meat, refined sugar or fat. They eat a diet rich in grain-beans, tortillas, and rice, vegetables and fruit grown on their small plots of land.
On Thursday, the team moved the clinic to a smaller village, San Isidro. When the staff arrived the line of patients was almost out of sight. Some had arrived at 6:00 a.m. and were prepared to wait hours to be seen. The condition of the patients and the services provided by the staff reflected the experience of Tacachico.
In these two communities the medical team treated almost 900 patients. All the team members agreed that the experience was rewarding, and expressed a desire to return in 2005.
(Editor’s note: Material for this article was taken from a personal account written by Father Jerry Brown, a LACA Board member, registered nurse and team participant.)
Calistoga Soroptimists Visit San Salvador
As part of their on-going commitment to women and children throughout the world, five members of Soroptimist International / Calistoga flew to El Salvador to visit the LACA supported day care center, Guarderia Niña Carolina, and to work with the staff–the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate. 
The center, which serves over fifty children each day, is located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in San Salvador. Most of the children come from single parent “homes”—actually small shacks of scrap metal and tin, built along miles of defunct train tracks with no water, plumbing or electricity. Before the day care center was built, mothers had no choice but to leave their pre-school-age children at home or on the streets, unsupervised, while they worked. The number of children who live on the streets of the capital, San Salvador, is in the tens of thousands.
Ginny Jeronimus, Senior Director of SI / Calistoga has worked with LACA, and introduced the organization to SI / Calistoga members. “Our contribution through LACA makes a tremendous impact,” Ginny stated. “Our $2,000 last year sent a woman to college in Panama, four girls to the secondary level school in four Latin American countries, and supported two children in the Niña Carolina day care center. But now, being able to take them medicines and clothes and actually meet the children—this has been wonderful.”
“Working with the courageous women who founded and sustain this center has been an amazing experience,” said Linda-Marie Loeb, president-elect of SI / Calistoga, and the excellent translator for the group. “The years of civil war and high unemployment have impacted the children tremendously. And I am so grateful my 16-year-old son Richie came with us. He was a real-life hero to these children. He was able to bond with them in ways we could not.”
“While one can’t help everyone, you really come to understand the necessity of helping one woman, one child,” said Jay Villalta, past president. “For many of these children their mothers are so poor, this is the only place they are fed and bathed. What a difference between the children that have had the benefit of the day care center for a few years versus the children that have only been here a few weeks.”
“I am so grateful I was able to go on this trip,” stated Helen Ark. “I have never seen such poverty and such need. It changes how you look at things, and makes you so thankful for what you have.”
“I was touched and moved by the dedication of Sister Isabel and Sister Margarita,” said Jan Phelps, vice president. “They are devoted to these children. The sisters emphasize good education for themselves and for their charges. They have created a safe haven for a happy and healthy start in life. What a difference it will make!”
Soroptimist International is a worldwide service organization of business and professional women committed to improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.
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