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Active Projects (Click on Project for description) The Los Toros Education Project Medical - Dental Clinic Project The Los Toros High School - Liceo Project
Special Projects
All projects have been accepted and approved by the Los Toros Foundation Board of Directors. Each project is administered by a Project Leader and a Project Committee in Los Toros . Once a project is funded it will be audited at least twice a year and a report will be issued to the Board of Directors. The projects and the participation of the Foundation are described below. The Los Toros Educational Project encompasses three areas; promoting attendance at school, developing good teachers and parent participation in education. It also includes support of a pre-school program to help parents prepare children for primary education. Some children cannot attend school because of lack of proper clothing and shoes; a team of project workers visit homes to help parents meet the educational needs of their children. After they evaluate the needs of the families they purchase and distribute uniforms and shoes to needy children. Likewise a team visits schools to collaborate with them in promoting good attendance and achievement in class.
The goals of the Water Filter Project include improvement to the municipal water system, educating families about water purification and helping families to acquire water filters for their homes. A survey has already been completed and indicates that approximately 200 homes need a water filter. We currently use a new type of ceramic filter that creates not only potable but also drinkable water.
The Sewing Class Project supports a sewing course taught by Mercedes de Leon, a woman in the village who has extensive training and skills in sewing. The objective of the course is to teach women how to sew clothes and household items as well as merchandise that they can sell such as tablecloths. Currently there are twenty- three young women enrolled in the course. We supply them with materials and machines for the course. We also hope to find them a permanent home for the course since they are now located in a very crowed corner of the community center. Women who have completed the course have gone on to supplement their family income with their sewing skills and one has a successful business in manufacturing mattresses. More information about Tablecloths - Go
The Los Toros High School Project – provides support in the community's effort to construct a building to house their High School. Currently the students meet in the primary school and are using space that is needed for primary education. Some students are turned away because of lack of space and resources. With our help the community has purchased land and after years of hard work we were successful in collaborating with the community in lobbying the Secretary of Education to construct a building and in Fall of 2008 construction had started. We anticipate needs in terms of equipment, books, etc.
The Cement Floors Project works with the Los Toros community to replace "dirt" floors in homes. "Dirt" floors create health problems promoting disease and poor sanitation. This is a primary need in the community with almost 200 homes containing "dirt floors". Families furnish the sand and gravel for the floor, we furnish the cement and a professional mason. The result is a cleaner and healthier environment for families and a significant improvement in their lives.
The SVDP (St. Vincent de Paul) Project works with the Los Toros Foundation to assist poor families in obtaining basic human needs including furniture, medicine medical care. Villagers must travel over two hours to the capital to receive advanced care and must pay for transportation and medicine as well as part of the cost for services. Sometimes they need to go outside the government medical system for care which is very costly for them.
The Comida (Meal) Project In an agricultural community families depend on seasonal work in planting and harvesting crops; in the off season they run out of resources. Not all families can afford their own land and many are employed as day laborers on farms. Some families can grow their own vegetables or even have a cow for milk, however, many do not have this resource and need help in feeding their children.
The Farmer's Co-Op Project gives interest free loans to farmers to help them buy seeds and other materials. The cooperative has leaders that help farmers with training and education. Farmers meet to share ideas and promote good use and production of the land. Farming is the only industry in the area and for almost all in the village it is their only source of income.
The Hogares (Homes) Co-Op Project works with the Los Toros community to help families repair and expand homes. Many homes are crowded, some still have "straw" (cane) roofs that are insecure and dangerous. Many repair or expand their own homes and need help in procuring materials. We help with interest free loans.
The Women's Co-Op Project is basically a credit union formed by the women in the village. They pay a small fee to join as well as a small monthly fee and are then offered loans are a low interest rate. The women generate funds to help build up their capital to make loans to women for purchasing household needs such as small stoves (gas), washing materials and furniture. They meet twice a month and support one another in their efforts to improve life in the village. This group was organized by Plan International, one of the groups with which the foundation collaborates in promoting community development.
Special Projects
The Cunin Reyes Project involves building a house for Cunin and her husband Felino. They were living in a 10' X 10' rented house with a dirt floor and a straw roof. In October 2008 while cooking with a wood fire in the house Ipistured above) the roof caught fire and in only 10 minutes the house burnt down. As the neighbor told us, "ni una cuchara", not one spoon was left. They have 3 children and are in desperate need of clothes, food and shelter. Right now the family is split up and building them a house would bring them back together. We are in the process of helping them with food and clothes but they need shelter. A simple two room 12' X 14' house could be built for about US$2,000.00. After a year or so they could add another 12' X 14" and have a real home. Both Cunin and her husband are uneducated and cannot read or write; we are working with the community to help them and their children and already have gotten clothes and shoes for the children to attend school. We hope to be able to get them a house - soon!
How To Make A Contribution You can donate by check, Bill Pay or credit card click on details below.
For More Information about the Los Toros Foundation..........
209 W Cedar Street
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