<html> <head> <title> Achiote de la Esperanza </title> </head> <body> <center>

Achiote de la Esperanza

a little seed of hope

</center> <hr> <u>Mission: </u><br> In response to our Gospel and Baptismal call to love and serve others we unite in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Valle de Jesus, San Fernando and Chalatenango, El Salvador.<p> <u>Objectives:</u><br> Increase nutrition, medical care, education and housing Nourish compassion and solidarity<p> Core values:</u><br> Walk by faith
Listen
Local community determines needs
Solidarity

Activities:</u><br> Provide funds for housing, food, education and medicine (grants/loans)
Regular communication among project participants in the form of letters, e-mail, phone, personal visits.

Participant Cost:</u><br>
Seed $1 per year
Pod $1 per month/$12 per year
Bouquet of blossoms$99 per year

Checks should be made to:
Assumption Church, Central American Account or the shortened version: Assumption Church, C. A. Acc.
Note: Achiote  on memo line for proper accounting.

Address: John or Rita Linehan
5834 Route 307 W;  Geneva, OH 44041

Background</u> Friday, February 9, 2007 seven of our pilgrim band spent time in Valle de Jesus (Valley of Jesus) a small, poor village in northern El Salvador s Chalatenango province while three others did a mountain climb via mule  with their guide, Jose, to Los Naranjos.

In Valle de Jesus we visited a small school and several homes. We ate lunch and supper there. We saw hungry children, dogs, and chickens.

We sang for the school children and met a very inspiring young teacher. Our candy handouts created Pied Piper scenes.

El bano at the home of our lunch and dinner host included a chicken relaxing in the corner of the structure.

Fr. Rafael took us to a piece of land he purchased, about an acre, with coffee trees. His investment dream is that is might become a community center.

Before we celebrated Mass at 5:00 pm we met as a group of pilgrims with Fr. Rafael and Fr. Julio and one older male member of the community followed at the end by a young man who is active in the community.

We talked of one particular home we visited, maybe the poorest that we saw, and the family s need for roof repair. The men mentioned others in the community who need similar help.

Fr. Rafael said that we Americans are not millionaires but are willing to help. He said the community must do the work and take the initiative. The men cited times when they did come together to help in similar situations.

At Mass at Valle de Jesus, Fr. Rafael told of the pre-Mass meeting and continued the discussion. One person said the poor family in question does not come to church.

That night about 3:00 am, now February 10 (Feast of St. Scholastica, twin sister of St. Benedict), my mind started thinking of the previous days experience and I became excited about the possibilities that little efforts can achieve.

Fr. Rafael had showed us a pod and seeds from the achiote plant and explained that it is now being grown for a market in other countries for food flavor and coloring. The mustard seed came to mind and Jesus  words that faith so small can move a mountain.

The teacher had a drawing of a plant on the board and showed us the garden the students were planting and studying. Our prayer is that this project will sow seeds of love and healing between the people of El Salvador and those who work with them.

On Tuesday, February 6, we visited our first school in Tremedal. The male principal said don't forget us. Achiote is an attempt to remember and stay in touch.