As the recent Caminante Matching Funds Appeal is coming to a close we want to thank each of the donors that have made the appeal so successful. We are pleased to announce $2,500 has been raised from individuals and churches. We are close to our $3,500 goal. Because the contributions will be matched, we hope to close out the appeal strong and reach our goal of $7,000 in the coming weeks.
The pandemic has devastated thousands and thousands across Latin America, setting back the clock on the social and economic gains made over the last twenty-five years. Picturesque Caribbean towns, like Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic, once attracted throngs of tourists and urban residents to their white sandy beaches and turquoise-blue seas. Now they are all abandoned. The vast informal labor force who provided food, drink and services have no safety net and are increasingly destitute. Covid-19 is shattering parents’ middle-class dreams that their children escape the grinding poverty and sexual exploitation of their region.
Caminante is trying to keep their people’s dreams alive, but the expenses of their mission are increasing. Along with education programs, they are now providing food to children and their families and masks and disinfectants to combat Covid-19.
We have seen Sister Denisse and the Caminante staff change lives and give people hope and a future. Caminante’s success is due in part to the Oklahoma Region’s support, individuals and churches supporting this worthy ministry. We thank you for your support.
