By Frank Hollick

It all started back in 1997 in response to the senseless rash of arson incidents at African American churches across America’s southern states.  A group of 30 Philadelphia area Jews, Christians and one self-proclaimed secular humanist traveled together to help rebuild the Rocky Point Missionary Baptist Church near McComb, Mississippi.  We had such a poignant experience with that community and became such close friends during that week that we decided to dedicate one week every summer to help in a (re)building effort somewhere for those in need.

Since that first effort, more than a hundred different individuals have spent at least one week with the ICBG on projects in Philadelphia, New Orleans and El Salvador.  During our first trip to El Salvador in 1999, we helped rebuild homes in the rural community of Las Anonas that had been devastated by Hurricane Mitch.  On three subsequent building delegations to El Salvador in 2001, 2003 and 2005, our group has helped build a chapel in Las Anonas, a community center in the mountain community of La Joya and a community center in Las Anonas’ neighboring community, El Porvenir. (The oval photo above shows the Builders with friends from El Porvenir – two communities working together.)

We feel that our group is unique in several ways.  First is our interfaith commitment to welcoming members of any faith to participate in our workweeks.  Second, we do as much fundraising as possible to provide the money needed for the construction in El Salvador.  Without those funds the projects could not happen.  Third, and perhaps most importantly, we have come to realize that while we are helping to build structures (structures that are only partially completed when we leave), we are really building relationships with our sisters and brothers in need in El Salvador.  For them, we represent caring and hope.  What more could we ask for?

We have just heard that our delegation’s construction project for the summer of 2007 will be to help build another Casa Communal, this time in El Milagro.  While there we look forward with excitement to renewing the friendships of those whom we have met and worked with in the past—and who continue to work with us and people from neighboring communities on our projects in the San Vicente Region.

All of this happens only because people like you continue to provide donations that make our work possible—and all the funds donated go directly toward the building project.  While you may not be with us physically this summer, you will most certainly be present in our hearts and in our daily work.  May you be constantly blessed and know you are loved and appreciated by our building delegation.

 

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