Mission: The primary mission of epilogos charities is to engage in community development by partnering with the people of san jos villanueva, el salvador. Epilogos works in solidarity with the local community to improve the quality of life in many areas, including housing, education, health, employment, sanitation and other programs. Epilogos is a nonprofit organization supported entirely by donations.
Programs: Housingconstruction of prefabricated houses:during 2017, two prefabricated houses were built for families who could not get advanced credit to own or construct a new "casa digna" - house of diginity. The two families (the batres family and mejia family) owned the land and showed that they could contribute financially to payments for the house. The materials were purchased with international donations and built by local and u. S. Volunteers in addition to the families who would own the house. Each house cost $6,000 and each family contributes 25% of the cost in monthly payments.
health and educationscholarship program:there are students in sjv whose parents make very little money working in agriculture or low paying assembly jobs. Their money only provides food for the family but not education. In 2017, 56 students received scholarships to the catholic high school in san jos villanueva. 26 students received scholarships to attend kindergarten to 9th grade. Each scholarship student received athletic shoes, uniforms, books and other basic necessities in order to attend school. High school scholarship students can attend school for 3 years if they continue to meet program guidelines. K-9 scholarship students are evaluated each year. This project is funded thanks to international sponsors. Support for teachers:in 2017 epilogos supported a percentage of the salary of the science teacher at the mendieta school in the amount of $2200. Funds from st. Joseph church in cleveland ohio donated $1650 to support the salary of the vice principal of the san jos villanueva catholic school. School transportation:in 2017 free transportation to school in san jos villanueva was provided to 15 children from the outlying area of los naranjos. The program was supported 50% by epilogos and 50% by fundahmer (fundacin hermano mercedes ruz). The program had a successful year by providing a sense of safety to students, encouraging them to advance to the next grade level. Adopt a classroom:this program donated school supplies of books and other materials to improve classroom activities and support the teachers. 4 classrooms were included at las dispensas, la serena, el espritu schools and the national kindergarten. This program also supported a classroom for students with disabilities at la mendieta school. Dental and eye clinic:in october 2017 epilogos coordinated a medical clinic that focused on dental and eye care. Many families do not have access to care and evaluation costs are very high and not affordable. Approximately 225 patients received care. This clinic was made possible by a team of international and local doctors, local volunteers and students. The mayor coordinated the use of a local clinic. Ecological stoves and water filters:eco-friendly stoves were provided at low cost to area families. These stoves use less wood and produce less smoke, contributing to better health. Water filters were also offered at low cost to families. These filters remove 99% of bacteria from contaminated water, again contributing to better health. San jose villanueva health clinic:epilogos provided material donations including otc medications, vitamins and medical instruments. Funds also supported health talks and workshops for adult diabetics and pregnant women.
general community supporthumanitarian aid:in 2017 approximately $1500 was spent to assist 15 families with small emergency needs including paying for prescription medications and funeral expenses. It also provided awards to present at youth events. Youth support:epilogos supported programs of older youths working with children in the most vulnerable areas by providing soccer and basketballs as well as prizes and refreshments for events. Mentoring program:this was a pilot program similar to the big brother, big sister program in the united states. 10 children ages 7-10 were paired with 10 high school students to focus on values, manners and general fun activities. The group met the goal to achieve learning accompanied by social relationships. Sports program support:in 2017 donations of sports equipment from international volunteers supported and encouraged continuation of local men and women's sports teams. Used sports uniforms were also donated to the catholic school in san jos villanueva. Project support from st. Josephs church in cleveland ohio:in 2017, epilogos coordinated projects funded by st. Joseph's church in strongsville, ohio which is the sister church of the catholic church in san jos villanueva. Ohio donations went toward the epilogos scholarship program supporting 36 students in the kindergarten to high school levels and supported university education for 4 students. $1650 was donated to support a percentage of the vice-principal's salary at the catholic school. This group also funded the installation of windows for the catholic school kindergarten.
There are so many good causes! I chose to be on the board of Epilogos Charities because I felt it was an organization that made a lasting difference in a third world community. I had heard too many stories of "Santa Claus" organizations which made no lasting change in a community they served. With Epilogos there is a year round presence and accountability of how money is spent. The community of San Jose Villanueva(SJV) has a strong sense that they must have some "ownership" of projects. This can be through sweat equity or a monthly payment from their $5 a day salary. My first introduction to the community was by participating in a scholarship program. For $180 per year I could send someone to a year of high school. I received a photograph of my student and three report cards each year. The student I had been assigned walked 2 1/2 hours to school in the morning and 2 1/2 hours back in the evening. I know this to be a fact because when I went to her graduation I drove the road she walked everyday so that I could attend a graduation party at her home. Then there is Mike and Susie Jenkins. They are retired Peace Corp workers who have "retired" to El Salvador. They have been in SJV for 10 years and have gained the respect and trust of the community. When I send money for anything I know it will be spent wisely because Mike and Susie are there on a full-time basis overseeing things. As part of their staff they have hired the town's first college graduate, Graciela. She is someone who has a "give back the place where you come from" mentality. This is a rare quality in a third world country. Please visit the Epilogos website (www.epilogos.org) to learn much more about this unique and selfless organization. Ed Warreh
