Global Outreach Projects
Inspired by people who have seen firsthand the work that is improving lives for families in the developing world, St. John’s supports global partnerships that are sustained and enriched by faithful advocates for the world’s poor.
Centro Buen Pastor
The El Centro Buen Pastor School and Clinic is operated by the Episcopal Church Sisters of the Transfiguration in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Currently, more than two hundred students are enrolled in the school, pre-school through the eighth grades. A full or partial scholarship provides the tuition for the majority of the students. The clinic offers maternal and child health services, general medicine, family planning and full vaccination programs.
How to Help: Education in the Dominican Republic is required through grade six, but many children do not go to school because they cannot afford uniforms and books. In the higher grades, tuition costs are added, which keeps two-thirds of the children out of school. The Sisters are actively seeking individuals, parishes or other groups willing to partner with them in providing partial scholarships of $250 to the children of the barrios near Centro Buen Pastor.
Volunteers are also welcome for a minimum of 10 days, food and bed provided. This is a great opportunity to serve and learn more about life in a third world country. St. John’s has donated money yearly to support this work.
Contact Julie or Kim Fudge, or Father Steve Ellis for more information. Learn more at episcopaldominican.org/our%20schools/buen-pastor.html or www.emmf.com/domican.htm
Hope with Sudan
St. John’s has been a partner and continuing supporter of Hope with Sudan and its predecessor program, which was run by Rev. Jerry Drino and Trinity Cathedral in San Jose. Jerry founded Hope With Sudan in 2003 following his visit to Sudan and the refugee camps and settlements in Kenya. Originally organized to support the 20 “Lost Boys of Sudan” in San Jose, the organization now raises funds to support the education of Sudanese living in San Jose, CA, as well as sponsoring eighty children, youth and young adults with tuition and living expenses in Kenya and Uganda.
Rev. Jerry has visited St. John’s several times. He introduced our parishioners to the “Lost Boys” and has told powerful stories about life in southern Sudan and about the Sudanese families and students living in Kenya and elsewhere.
How to Help: To donate please log onto the website — http://hopewithsudan.org/donate/ You may also send checks earmarked for Hope With Sudan to: St. John’s/Outreach, 125 Canterbury Dr., Aptos, CA 95003.
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD)
ERD provides emergency assistance in times of disaster, rebuilds devastated communities and offers long-term program development solutions to fight poverty. St. John’s holds an annual appeal each spring.
How to Help: You can donate online or checks can be mailed to Episcopal Relief and Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield VA 22116-7058. Visit the ERD website at www.er-d.org.
VAMOS!
VAMOS! is a nonprofit organization which serves the very poor in Cuernavaca, Mexico. It was founded in 1987 as a response of four people from Oregon who visited Mexico and encountered children as young as 3 and their parents selling candy or crafts on the street 12-16 hours a day.
With the cooperation and participation of their parents, a small school was opened so that the children could have a nourishing meal and two hours of education per day. From small beginnings VAMOS now has 15 community centers in Cuernavaca, has taught thousands of children and their parents to read and write, has fed over 500,000 hungry people and provides free medical and dental services.
How to Help: Please send donations to VAMOS, P.O. Box 212, Weston, VT, 05161. We would like to continue supporting this important work. Contact Mary-Nona or Michael Hudson for more information
