Over the past month, COFOA leaders in San Juan Tepezontes have organized two large events to foster dialogue across generations, provide community education and build community cohesion. One event involved more than 180 students and 150 parents, who attended seminars…
COFOA Director Alberto Velazquez was one of a handful of people chosen by the Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Center of Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano (CELAM) to share ideas on how to transform present realities and improve institutional structures, helping the Catholic…
Since the dedication in March, the “Doc Taggart” health clinic in Rusumo has provided medical services to more than 100 people each day. Most are being treated for malaria, flu and minor injuries. The clinic is playing its part in…
The PICO delegation began our trip to Rwanda on March 23 with a visit to the genocide memorial in Kigali. April 7, 1994 started 100 days of genocide against Tutsi, resulting in over 800,000 deaths in Rwanda. Many of us…
Ten years ago, Pr. John met Ezra Nkubana for the first time on the hilltop in Mumeya. In March, a PICO delegation joined Ezra, Poline, Fortuna and other leaders in dance to celebrate the amazing journey that equipped the Mumeya…
“I was blown away!” and “I was in tears!” These were the feeling expressed by Jack and Karen Taggart as they were greeted by more than 1000 villagers when they arrived for the dedication of the Rusumo Health Clinic. The…
In December, COFOA leaders launched a campaign to increase employment opportunities for young people across the La Paz Department. Partnering with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, six parishes sponsored career workshops where job seekers learned how to develop…
After 20 years of effort, leaders finally secured a commitment from the Ministry of Public Works to construct the bridge of the Roldan River. With support from Anglican Bishop David Alvarado and Anglican Pastor Fr Antonio Lopez, people from the…
Florcie Tyrell , Chrisne Baptiste, and Fr. Eyma Leclerc-Jacques represented OPODNE at the World Meeting of Popular Movements in Modesto, California in March, which was attended by more than 600 PICO Network colleagues and allies. Inspired by the message of…
Leaders from OPODNE’s 12 local organizing committees met in Caracol for their annual gathering to evaluate their work and plan future efforts. Despite the lack of a functioning government this past year, leaders report resilience and determination from each community…
