Projects

The LACA Foundation directs its energies at alleviating the needs of the rural poor in Latin America. It carries out this mission by concentrating its financial assistance in projects that improve the health, educational and economic opportunities, and the environment for the rural peoples of Latin America. As most of the financial support LACA receives goes directly to the rural community projects, LACA cannot afford and does not pay for any costs or expenses of anyone who visits Honduras on its behalf. Each year and every trip, the board members and any other volunteers have to pay their own costs and expenses.

Country Summary

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.

In June 2007, LACA will send a medical team to Tacachico, El Salvador. The Coordinator, Mary Mapelli-Conway is in need of translators and medical personnel, including two pediatricians or pediatric nurse practitioners, two adult medicine physicians or family nurse practitioners and one or two pharmacists or a pharmacist and a pharmacology tech. Some Spanish language is helpful, but translators will be provided. The team will arrive in the capital, San Salvador on June 30; the clinic will be held from July 1 - 5.Anyone interested should contact Mary at LACACLINICS@aol.com

Guatemala
Seven students are now on scholarships in college or technical school and over 200 secondary school students have benefited from some support in the past year.

Haiti
In March 2005, the LACA Board of Directors voted to take on a project in Haiti which is acknowledged to be the most impoverished country in the western hemisphere. Funds were allocated for tubing to provide a clean drinking water supply for Hope Hospital in Haiti. In addition, some Board members are collecting medical supplies for the Holy Cross nuns who run the hospital. Most recently, LACA sent $10,000 to Haiti: $4000 to build houses for two homeless families; $2100 to finance medical care for seven patients needing surgery, and $3850 for the education of 35 high school students.

Honduras
Honduras was LACA’s first involvement in Latin America. Some of our past projects include medica and optical clinics, health education, water projects, self-help cooperatives, micro loans, solar cookers, and disaster relief following Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Currently there are two students on LACA scholarships.

Mexico
For six years LACA has worked with the Tarahumara Indians, the native people of the Copper Canyon region in the State of Chihuahua. The Tarahumara, who number about 60,000, are the Indians least touched by modern society. They live in caves or small wood and stone huts with out benefit of running water of electricity. They are currently in the midst of an 11-year drought. LACA has provided funds for a unique rooftop drainage system for the collection and storage of rainwater. Every year, LACA volunteers visit the Tarahumara to deliver food, clothing and blankets. We are also supporting one young Tarahumara woman who is pursuing a university degree in nursiing.

Nicaragua
LACA contributes to the salaries of 26 rural teachers from the Free High School for Adults in San Juan del Sur (on the Pacific Coast near the border with Costa Rica), and funds scholarships for three graduates of the school now enrolled at the university. In January 2007, the Foundation sent a medical team to San Juan del Sur.

Panama
Three students on LACA scholarships at the university.