AGROS VILLAGE OF LA ESPERANZA

November 2008 Trip

A team of eighteen employees and friends will be going to La Esperanza, El Salvador November 8th through the 15th.  This is the largest team to date; in fact we're overbooked! As a result, we've settled on "The S'Mores" for a team name.  Every previous team has been all-male (not by design), but the S'Mores will have four women in their midst who will be building better relationships with the women of the village.

It's an exciting time in La Esperanza. Agros has recently approved purchase of additional land so more families can move in. Several established families have begun construction of permanent houses. Various group agricultural and livestock programs have flourished and the residents are investing their profits in other ventures. Electrical service has been approved by the local government and lines to the village should be run next spring. All these factors mean our team will find plenty to do, no matter the number of participants.  Look for follow-up reporst when we get back.

WANT TO HELP?  Airfare and on-the-ground costs have risen dramatically since last year, and we're looking for S'More supporters to help make a difference in these peoples' lives. Contributions in any amount will be gratefully accepted, are 100% tax deductible, and ill be used in full to put our team on the ground in El Salvador.

To make a donation with a credit card, click here. For the "In Honor Of" field, enter "Nov 2008 PCI Service Team".

To contribute by check, please make it payable to Agros International and mail it to:
     Pacific Crest Industries
     Attn: Chuck Schilling
     PO Box 2050
     Sumner, WA 98390

Thanks for your help!

October 2007 Trip

A team of eleven people have just returned from a week in El Salvador. They helped the residents of La Esperanza plant 1000 pineapple starts as a new community cash crop, install a roof over their water tanks, and repair several road washouts caused by heavy rains from the hurricanes that hit Nicaragua.

As always, the highlights of the trip were found in the relationships we have built with the village residents. The people of La Esperanza are incredibly industrious and optimistic in a situation which would crush the spirit out of most of us.

Making an Impact in El Salvador

March brought about a very exciting turning point in our ongoing projects in the village of La Esperanza, El Salvador. A team of Pacific Crest Employees, led by Lee Redd, went to pave an important road leading into the village. While they were there they joined Steve Bell and the leadership of Agros, for a contract signing ceremony in the village. It was held in the community center that Pacific Crest and the people of La Esperanza built last year. The contract was signed by Pacific Crest and the people of La Esperanza, to signify their mutual agreement to work for the ongoing success of their community. This commitment includes assistance in helping these families build a self sustaining community, pay off their loans, and educate their children and ultimately, break the cycle of poverty.