The roof and rooms of the health center are now entirely completed – and with that, the center has the capacity to serve all five villages – over 30,000 people! Mumeya leaders haven’t stopped though: now they are laying the…
In Kigali, with the assistance of Fr. Innocent Rugaragu, PICO Rwanda has begun introductory meetings and trainings with the St. Ignatius Jesuit School and with youth at the Centre Christus. Fr. Elisee Rutagambwa works with a group of youth at…
In Nyange, in western Rwanda, the community has its own unique people and problems – and we are learning that training and development in Nyange promises to be far different from Mumeya, though no less successful. Here, after conducting 1-to1…
Youth and leaders from St. Peter Nonualco, El Salvador, held a large peace march with over 600 people, and formed a broad coalition to promote cultural, educational and democratic activities that reduce violence and improve the quality of life in…
Our trip to Central America has given US organizers a lot of time to connect with Central American leaders who organize in their communities. The deep level of ownership we have seen leaders live out in their local organizations of…
Eight PICO USA staff and leaders shared an intensive two-week immersion in PICO Central America’s work in Guatemala and El Salvador from August 2-16, 2012. They met with leaders, church representatives (including bishops in both countries) and public officials, and…
PICO-Rwanda leaders are working on the final set of rooms to complete the health center, after gaining government funding earlier this year. Over 20 Mumeya residents are employed to complete construction, working alongside professional builders and gaining skills which will…
Can you reconcile an entire country in which an unimaginable bloodbath took place? Live again with a neighbor, even when he has killed someone and was not sent to prison? Rwanda shows that you can. Although reconciliation is in fact…
I appreciate the opportunity given to me to share my experiences and challenges, first as a woman and second as a COFOA leader in ongoing training. In Guatemala, just being a woman is a challenge. Culturally we are raised to…
Martha Gomez Vda. Batres is COFOA’s coordinator at St. Peter Catholic church in San Pedro Nonualco, a small farming community of about 7000 people. Martha, who is 52 years old, is a widow who has taught kindergarten for the last…
