St. Brendan the Navigator

Easter Sunday 2014

ELSALVADOR NEWS&UPDATES For us, this water is the gospel, and these tanks are proof that God heard our prayers and answered them by speaking to the hearts of our brothers and sisters in Maine. Thank you. - Las Nubes community member, thanking parishioners for the donation of the water tanks

Muchísimas Gracias from San Ramón our sister community sends love and thanks In March, six parishioners and one community member had the opportunity to share in the lives of our sister parish in San Ramon, El Salvador. We return to our own community feeling profoundly blessed and inspired by the tremendous faith and generosity of our Salvadoran friends. and we’d like to share with you some of their stories, and ours.

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For fourteen years, parishioners from Our Lady of Good Hope have been making trips to San Ramon, El Salvador as part of a very special sister parish relationship with the community of El Pueblo de Dios en Camino. Four of us were visiting San Ramon for the first time, and our Salvadoran brothers and sisters were noticeably excited to see so many new faces. As always, our time there was deeply moving.

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Not only were we touched and inspired by this community of people so deeply committed to humbly carrying out the teaching of the gospel in their everyday lives, but also by the opportunity to represent our own community: the parishioners of St. Brendan the Navigator. At times, it was difficult to absorb the immense gratitude that exists in San Ramon and Las Nubes for the solidarity parishioners in Mid-Coast Maine have shown them. Over and over again, we were showered with praise and words of thanks from people living in very difficult situations. Each time, we would humbly explain that we represent a large community of generous people, and we promised to return home and share this gratitude

with all of you. Still it is sobering to receive such praise for helping to provide something so basic as clean drinking water, something that most of us will never have to worry about.

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Many of you contributed to the Caring Fund’s 2011 Advent Sharing Project, and together we raised $15,000, of which $5,000 was used for 2 water storage tanks in the community of Las Nubes, and $10,000 was destined to the establishment of a microcredit lending fund. These projects have made an enormous difference.

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For years, parishioners have been contributing to various causes and projects in San Ramon, but 2011 marked the first time that we developed a large scale fundraiser for two truly sustainable projects that we developed together as a team. The results are sensational, and one of the greatest joys of this trip, was the opportunity to see these projects first hand and participate in their future planning.

needs, and how grateful they were that we learning English, was an enormous aid in have come to visit them. Hector communicating. and Gustavo are terrific The qualities of my family represent Upon returning from El Salvador, my guides, and truly men of a phenomena which I discovered heart was overflowing with stories of our integrity. This, they time and time again in this daily exploits, and the dilemma of how to believe, is their country: although the people retell them. Each of these memories has are poor, they do not have value and deserves to be shared. However, as calling, their job: to serve and help the a spirit of poverty. the days have passed, I realize the most poor. The Remove my family from lasting and vivid memories were of the members of our their surroundings and Salvadoran people themselves. I would like sister community one would be hard to introduce you to some of them. live in modest pressed to believe they The las nubes people live on a volcano homes, yet are are “poor” people. It is (latent), and the area is exceedingly needy. deeply devoted often obvious, perhaps Our guides are Hector and Gustavo, both at a second hand middle aged men who anchor the leadership to helping the less fortunate. It is clothing store, to identify of the San Ramon community. As our one thing to read people who are down and adventures began, we started to gain an about “helping our out. They have a certain insight into the character, compassion and look to them. In contrast, heroism of these two impressive men. As we neighbors”, perhaps Gustavo in church, or on TV, many Salvadorans have a light start to climb higher and higher, the & Hector but quite another to live in their eyes that exceeds the pavement yields to dirt roads, the homes those words. For this limits of their possessions, a became a patchwork of sheet metal panels. community, the word “love” is remarkable quality to be sure. Esteban’s Gustavo and Hector waved to everyone, actually a verb. It is not an idea or just a older son Kevin lives five feet away in the always stopping and giving a hug or words adjacent apartment with his wife and young of encouragement. Ironically, as we climbed feeling, love is an action. Meeting my host family was another sons Michael and Johan. Kevin’s mother-inhigher and the living situations become  remarkable insight into Salvadoran life. The law lives another 50 feet down the alley. I more desperate, the natural beauty of the saw them all frequently, and it was obvious mountain increased dramatically. As we soon house of my host family was solidly constructed of cinder blocks, painted a light that this family had a lot of love between learn, the people who live here were the bluish green color. The entire house them. forgotten ones. Spread out over a landmass measured about 20’ by 12’ . One might The freely shared this love with me, and similar to Mt. Washington are dozens and think that the condition of the house would I truly felt a part of their family. dozens of families; some are directly off of be the defining impression in my mind that         I still keep in touch with those I the main road (a winding dirt path, wide night, but it was not. The most impressive met on our remarkable journey. And enough for a vehicle), others well into the element of my family’s dwelling was the whether you, the reader, have the woods. Technically they are “squatters” on people who lived there. Truly, I believe that opportunity to visit or not, know that there is the land, and have no running water, no the quality of life in a home is in a large part great power in the alliance we formed over a electricity, and fragile roofs. Gustavo and defined by the love of the people living in it. decade ago. Standing in solidarity with our Hector had an uncanny recall of the Esteban is a quiet, humble and perhaps shy new friends, realize we are joined in a location of each and every home. Often we brotherhood and sisterhood, our paths will stop a dwelling along the path and both man. His wife Zonia is the exact opposite. She is exuberant, enthusiastic, and smiles forever linked. Our gifts to their community men will talk to the family or individuals. frequently. The third member of the family have greatly improved quality of life, and With Alison translating, we learned of the is their son Erick who is 15. He would ironically their gifts to ours had very much daily struggles of the people, their greatest become a great friend, and because he was the same effect.

Jon Moro

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teaching each other words in English and Spanish, and then we would walk to “¡Quiero a ella!” (I want her!) Aida’s house (the woman with whom This is how our trip to Emma and Alison were staying), San Ramon, El Salvador Evelia leaning on my arm as we started out for me. went. Taking those initial It was this type of open steps out of the airport generosity and amiable nature into the hot, humid air that characterized every person of San Salvador was a I met in San Ramon. Walking little intimidating; a through the streets I would be completely new culture greeted by every woman, man, and a difficult language and child who passed: “¡Buenos Kiera & barrier seemed at first días!” Women doing chores would daunting, but with these Evelia even lean out of upper story windows words, my worries evaporated. to wave or say hello as we walked by. In They were spoken by Evelia, a sweet, the community of El Pueblo de Dios en grandmotherly woman who I stayed Camino, I was amazed and humbled by the with during our time in El Salvador. After beautiful souls of the people who put so discovering that I could understand and much effort into taking care of not only speak basic Spanish, she immediately their own community (which was not wellclaimed me as her “nieta” (granddaughter) off to begin with), but also the impoverished for the week. We were a perfect match; communities on the volcano such as Las although she could not speak any English, I Nubes and La Valencia. Hector, one of the was able to comprehend most of our men who acted as our “guides” for the conversations and when I misinterpreted week, was the most kind, greathearted something, it usually turned into a person I’ve ever encountered in my short humorous situation. Every morning after lifetime. One day, as we were just starting breakfast we would walk around her garden our ascent up the volcano, we passed an

Kiera Haining

elderly woman who was trying to lift a shopping cart up a steep set of stair leading to her home. Hector immediately ran over to her and singlehandedly carried the cart all the way into her house, embraced her, and continued on with us as if this was a casual occurrence. I learned later that day that Hector dedicated both Monday and Wednesday to God, meaning that even though he had a family to support, he gave up two work days to spend time with the communities of the volcano helping them with house repair, or any other chores that they needed to be done. Hector, along with Gustavo and Anita and many others in San Ramon, cherish the idea of a strong sense of community, and this is made evident in the ways that they all support and care for each other. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have spent time in this beautiful community with the amazing people who shared their lives with us for a week. Experiencing life in our sister parish in San Ramon truly helped me realize a deeper connection with my own faith and created a new lens through which I see the world.

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misfortune, political unrest and poverty for both at the community center and up on the as long as the country has been founded. hills of the volcano: core groups who oversee Many have the daily pressure and stress that the new water storage tanks and I would say… Life must be a struggle they might not have water or other necessary microfinance projects; individual people and They would say… We Persevere resources when they need them. Others fear groups who have benefited from these two I would say…Too Many Disappointments for their own and their families safety from Caring Fund projects and the Women’s They would say…We Have Hope violent gangs or individuals. I felt such a Group. The 34th anniversary of the I would say… Has God Forgotten You sense of welcome and love from the same martyrdom of Monseñor Oscar Romero They would say… We Have Strong Faith people who could justifiably treat strangers was observed with processions in the center I would say… Is No One Listening warily and fearfully. In this way I find the of the capital and the neighborhood of San They would say… We raise our voice people of El Salvador to be especially Ramon. Like Christ, he preached of love I would say… I don’t have much to Share inspiring. For me, a simple expression of and concern for the poor. Our sister They would say… Here, most have much acceptance and love is one of the most community practices this reality daily. They less beautiful expressions of humanity. are an inspiration for us. Despite strife and It has been a privilege for me to visit suffering the people Alison McKellar San Ramon several times. With each of El Salvador It seems more like an elegant metaphor visit it draws me ever closer to the haven’t lost sight than a common religious practice, but for people. Their faith has certainly of what’s parishioners in San Ramon, hiking up the been tested throughout the important: volcano in search of destitute families is just decades. We took the road up the connecting a natural way of living the gospel. For us, volcano, an uneven path of dirt, on one of this week long pilgrimage to San Ramon is dust, stones, steep inclines and the most steep declines. This road is human levels always humbling, inspiring; even exciting. There is a certain novelty that keeps us from traveled all day long with young and being a and old going to school, work and true example growing weary while we’re there, but it is difficult to imagine how people like Hector most important to retrieve water. of and Gustavo maintain their deep Imagine carrying a very large jug Christianity commitment to living Jesus’ path in their of water on your head with those and hope. every day lives, and for me, returning home road conditions. The day starts at Traveling to El Chris sunrise and ends at sundown. Salvador was one of can be the most challenging of all. Living in such a comfortable and passes out These people have no time to think the most inspiring and prosperous community as ours, we rarely of all they don’t have but struggle rewarding things I’ve done donated have to walk by such displays of poverty and to get what they must have to and I encourage all to become desperation, and our acts of charity are clothing survive. I love the people of El more involved and aware of the mostly spurred by appeals made by others to Salvador because they have taught relationship St. Brendan’s parish benefit people we will never meet. Each time me to think twice. has with our sister community in El I return from El Salvador, I feel a renewed A saying that reminds me of the people Salvador. sense of solidarity with suffering people I have met along the El Salvador Roads. everywhere, and I promise myself to look for “Some Men see Things as they are and opportunities to “hike up the volcano” in my say why. I dream things that never were and Pauline Johnstone Like Thomas, who needed to put his life here at home. say why not.” hand into the risen Christ’s side before Each time when I feel myself growing -Ted Kennedy he could believe, actually self-consumed and dull to the suffering experiencing the daily reality of around me, I think of El Salvador and often Emma life for our brothers and sisters come back to this quote which so clearly in El Salvador is life changing. embodies what I have witnessed in San Chapin With each visit to San Ramon. When I first Ramon, representatives decided to travel from St. Brendan’s have “I do not believe one can settle how to Central been able to understand much we ought to give. I am afraid the only America, I more deeply the meaning safe rule is to give more than we can spare.” naïvely expected of community and life to be met with based on living the - C.S. Lewis the image of teachings of Christ. complete tragedy Visiting with families that and devastation; live in corrugated tin or stick the kind you might and mud homes with no see when faced with electricity or running water, the aftermath of a discussing their concerns, hurricane or some receiving their gracious hospitality, other natural disaster in a sharing hugs, tears and laughter….it third-world or developing gets to the core of what life is country. Instead, when I arrived I was met about….recognizing the Christ in each of with a level of joy, liveliness and welcoming from strangers that I have rarely experienced us. One of the biggest lessons reinforced in my own country outside of my own social during our visit to San Ramon is how these group. When I walked down the street in El people give so generously of themselves. Salvador, nearly everyone I passed made an They accompany, and are a voice for, effort to greet me, wave to me or smile. View of the poor. As one community Upon my return, after a week of being the volcano from treated with such hospitality, it felt awkward member said: “a Christian life is commitment. It’s not enough to say, to pass a stranger and avoid eye-contact and community “I’m a Christian.”. You have to to not at least be greeted with a smile or building think, act and be consistent.” some other acknowledgement. The country We participated in many meetings of El Salvador has been stricken with

Chris Mazza

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This woman makes typical Salvadoran food to sell out of her home which allows her to no longer leave her young daughter home alone. We visited her home and she told us how microcredit fund helped her get the business started.

One highlight of the trip was getting to sit in on meetings for prospective borrowers, whom are very carefully selected. They have been careful to expand very slowly, but are now ready to add additional borrowers. The fund isn’t advertised publicly due to security concerns, and rely on a referral system. These women had a chance to brainstorm potential business ideas and hear from past borrowers. It was so amazing to us to realize that for many of the women, this represented their first opportunity to take out any kind of loan. They were so excited to fill out the application, and most had already carefully considered a detailed business strategy.

Through the Caring Fund, parishioners at St. Brendan the Navigator worked together with our brothers and sisters in El Salvador to design a microcredit lending program that fills an urgent need for poor families in San Ramon.

For many people in San Ramon, good-quality permanent jobs are hard to come by, and many find that they need to create their own source of income.

Unfortunately, most poor people do not have access to credit from traditional financial institutions, and most don't even have bank accounts, let alone a credit card. Because they are poor and have no collateral, traditional banks

generally see poor people as high-risk borrowers and won't lend to them. Some manage to get loans from unscrupulous loan sharks who charge as much as 50% interest daily, often forcing borrowers to pay their loan back by the end of the day.

To date, the first $2000

has been turned over nearly 7 times, totaling 85 loans that have benefited 34 families. In fact, since each loan carries a very small interest rate, the fund has actually grown, generating nearly $700 in interest that can be reinvested in charitable projects. Microcredit

programs are demonstrating what church teachings have been saying for centuries: All people are worthy. Not only are they worthy of trust, but worthy of investment.

Traditional banks deem poor people high-risk borrowers because they lack capital and assets that can be used as collateral.Yet ironically, the San Ramon program lends to some of the poorest people in the hemisphere and is boasting better repayment and faster growth rates than many traditional banks. Only one borrower during the first 24 months is behind on payments.

The Caring Fund

The table below is a summary of the loans allocated with the first $2,000 installment. They have now received the remaining $8,000 to move into the next phase.

$2,000 85 $14,050 34 $100 $698 1 17% $5 $100

Amount transferred to San Ramon to set up the first round of microcredit loans. Total number of loans granted from JAN 2012 through FEB 2014 Total amount loaned. In other words, the $2,000 donation has allowed for over $14,000 in small loans to poor families who otherwise have no access to credit from traditional banks. Number of families benefited from first 24 months. Average amount of each microloan. Loans range from $50-$200 Interest generated on loans during the first 24 months. Number of borrowers behind on payments. Annual growth rate of microcredit fund. Typical interest payment for a 6 month loan of $100 through the Caring Fund's microcredit project. Interest that a poor person could expect to pay on a $100 loan when borrowing money from a typical Salvadoran "loan shark".

These projects in El Salvador are one example of the work being supported by the Caring Fund. The Caring Fund is special. While most charitable organizations take a small percentage of donations to support operations, the Caring Fund does not. No donation is ever used to fund travel, maintain the website, or even purchase postage stamps. It all happens through volunteers, so that 100% of your donation goes straight to the people who need it. To learn more about the Caring Fund, and the projects made possible by the generous parishioners of St. Brendan the Navigator, please take a moment to visit www.caringfund.com