NEWS

“Asociación Esfuerzos Humanitarios de Quepos”

Goal:

to serve and glorify our God, serve the greater community of Quepos/Manuel Antonio and serve the indigent community here in this immediate area.

Purpose:

to restore, to the extent possible, persons among this homeless population to their fruitful places in society - to begin again to be productive and healthy members of their families and their communities. Our approach involves and includes personal health – spiritual, mental, and physical.

UPDATES

June 2006

• A group of churches started to help with a second feeding, adding to the once-a-week feeding already sponsored by the Catholic Church.
• The Association was formed, including representatives from the city, police, hospital, private companies, churches and individuals.
• Repair and restoration was begun on a rented house located near the cemetery.
• Kim Stilwell became temporary/voluntary director.
• We received many donations of money, supplies and labor. We had many volunteers from the homeless population. Decision made to use facility for residential rehab center. We also rented the house next door for meeting/office space.

May 2007 –

• The people living in the cemetery are starting to leave.
• We are still feeding the homeless on Friday.
• The men go to various churches and they are also going to AA/NA meetings at a local chapter.

April 2007 –

• We have opened for programming at the center. We presently have 5 men who have asked for help. 3 have drug problems for at least 34 years combined and 2 persons with alcohol problems for 8 years combined.
• Jimmy, the drug/alcohol counselor and myself have been getting necessary items for the survival and welfare of all those in the house.
• The program includes biblical counseling, workshops in daily living, work sessions (cleaning the house and the beach front, planting plants, repairing walls, etc.) and other constructive activities.
• During this period of 11 months about 60 men and women have been restored to their homes or sent to already existing facilities in the country. The ladies are asking for help and are sent when there are funds to do so.

We are currently in need of :

• Donations of money for utilities due the 15th of the month, for staff and food (We need help now. Especially food.)
• 4 Bunk beds for the men to sleep in.
• Donations of money for rent, utilities, food and assorted.
• Tables and chairs for the meeting times
• Roofing material to extend the back porch.
• Money: All we need is 30 people giving c5000 colones (about $9.65 USD) a month and we can keep saving lives from the drugs and alcohol.
• 2 Fans are needed to keep the mosquitoes off the program men

If you have any questions or to schedule a pick up of items call:

Kim Stilwell at 777-0249 or Miguel Rojas at 777-2222.

If you want to be a part of this effort please financially donate to:

"Asociación Esfuerzos Humanitarios Quepos" c/o John Stilwell

Banco National: Colones: 200 01 022 019987 8 American Dollars: 200 02 022 0254 62 9

Banco De Costa Rica: Colones: 280-2717-0 American Dollars: 280-2718-9

Banco ProAmerica: Colones: 4213 8715 1313 5300 American Dollars: 4213 8615 1510 3018