Programs
Three Core Programs: a basic safety net
An annual donation of $150 will provide a sponsored child with these important benefits in education, health, and nutrition:
1) Education: each school child receives a shirt, a uniform pants or skirt, shoes, book bag, and basic school supplies.
In 2012 forty-five kids will receive these benefits, which allow them to attend neighborhood schools. Most of the kids are in primary school, but approximately one-fourth attend high school, the majority during the day, and a few go either at night or on weekends. In addition, three older students are receiving HOPE Scholarships this year to attend university.
2) Health: every child in the program receives a daily multi-vitamin to supplement their diets--as well as a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste (for each family).
Additionally, our visitation teams have for the past two years introduced the families to "Healthy Living" practices. Among other things, we have supplied the families with 13 water filters (by Sawyer Products) that they are sharing. Next year we hope to provide each family with one of these amazing filters.
Each family also received a starter kit of essential First Aid items such as bandaids, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, Tylenal, etc; as well as dishwashing supplies--dishpan, soap, scrub brushes and pads, soap and Clorox.
In addition to these preventive measures, each family has the option of taking out a loan of $100 to $300 (from the S&L FUND) to pay for emergency medical needs as well as for chronic conditions requiring long-term medication.
We encourage the families to build safe and sanitary habits into their daily living--just as we we encourage them to seek treatment for acute and chronic medical needs.
3) Nutrition: every Saturday each family receives a package of fresh vegetables produced in our "Garden of Hope"--a plot of land 75 feet X 75 feet managed by our gardener Francisco.
The veggies include tomatoes, peppers, onions, cucumbers, beets, carrots, cabbage, and pumpkins. The garden provides an abundance of vegetables during much of the year. In fact, Francisco is able to raise two crops per year, but during the rainy season it's necessary to purchase veggies in the market each week.
The total amount of veggies is divided up per child rather than by family, so that every child receives an equal share.
He also supplies each family with two dozen eggs every week from our Egg Production Project (EPP). The EPP is stocked with 100 Rhode Island Red hens, with a weekly production of 500+ eggs (42+ dozen). Toward the end of the cycle when production falls off and cost/benefits become unfavorable, the hens are butchered and the families receive them one per week over five weeks.
Special Programs . . . two Steps Beyond
1. Housing: most member families live in dilapidated shacks, plagued by leaky metal roofs, drafty walls, and dirt floors. During the wet months especially, they live in damp and muddy conditions, a situation conducive to upper respiratory problems. With their limited income going mostly into food, they are unable to make improvements in their housing situation.
BEFORE. . .
The Exec Board decided we needed to help them in substantial ways. We launched the "Gift of Hope: Christmas 2009" campaign to alleviate the worst of these housing problems as quickly as funds allowed. That first year we called the effort: "Raise Maria's Roof," because Maria Rodriquez was the worst housed member and became the first beneficiary of this program. Two other Marias also were in great need of roof replacements, and they became the next two beneficiaries during 2010.
The first step in the process is to construct an "umbrella roof" over the old house--to keep the worst rains out for the next two years. At the end of that time, the second step is to lay a concrete floor and install the walls, the windows, the doors.
AFTER. . .
Now, in early 2012 we look back over a very successful effort: a total of six houses now have "umbrella roofs," two of those houses have also received new concrete floors and bright red steel walls. In January of 2012 we put up a whole house in one operation--roof, floor, and walls. We have another whole house planned for April of this year. But so much more remains to be done before all are members are in decent housing.
A "roof umbrella" over the old house costs $2000. The rest of it-- concrete floor and steel walls--requires another $2000. The standard house is 500 square feet, made entirely of steel, welded and metal-screwed together for rigidity and durability. It has a concrete floor, two secure doors, and a minimum of four windows.
The homeowner is required to pay 20% of the total cost--$800. Since no local bank would be willing to loan such a large amount to a poor family, the Association's Savings & Loan FUND makes it possible to borrow that sum. The loan is interest-free and repayable monthly at $10.
You can find more photos of our housing program in action by clicking on "PHOTOS" in the top menu.
2. Micro-financing: the Association requires each member to deposit $5 every month into the Savings & Loan FUND--a total of $100 per month for the group. The Friends match the deposits in this bank account dollar-for-dollar. Every twelve months the Association deposits a total of $2400. In nearly three years, these poor families have banked $7200.
These loans are restricted to covering medical emergencies, training for employment, sending kids to college, setting up new businesses, and financing improvements in housing (like the roof replacements).
Those members who need a loan can apply for it and, if they qualify, they are required to repay it at the rate of $10 per month ($5 in addition to their membership fee of $5). All these loans are interest-free in order to reduce the repayments to a minimum. To date, almost half of our members have taken out loans, and not one of them has defaulted.
NOTE: most other micro-loan programs you read about are limited to borrowing only for business purposes and the interest rates are usually very high. Our program recognizes the wide range of financial needs that impoverished families actually have, that reach far beyond business requirements.
