UPDATE, June 9, 2015. PLEASE NOTE: We have just discovered that we have had a problem with our GoFundMe site that has prevented people from contributing (our fault, not GoFundMe). So, if you are one of the 340+ visitors that wanted to donate, but could not, would you please revisit the site and click on “Donate Now”. Thank you and God bless you.
UPDATE, May 23, 2015. Sorry, but we’ve just be told that GoFundMe does not accept donations of less than $5. That was not in any of their information, so we apologize to those of you who may have been trying to comply with our $1 request. But if $5 is within your reach, we would appreciate it. God bless.
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Donate your $$ here. For only $5 (or more) you can make a huge difference for a small children’s ministry with a big vision in Tumbaco, Ecuador. This ministry has a unique opportunity to expand and provide better facilities and a Christian education for local Ecuadorian children. But first let me give you some background information. In July, 2012 we started attending a local Ecuadorian church, Sendero de la Cruz (The Way of the Cross)—now called Los Robles de Cristo (The Oaks of Christ). It is not far from where we live and we happened to be walking by it one day and stopped in to visit with the pastor’s wife who is also the administrator of the church’s Christian school, Sendero School. We have been going there ever since. We have been impressed with the Dazas’ simple and humble spirit and lifestyle and their commitment to service in Christian ministry.
Pastor Miguel and Patti Daza
The Early Years. Patti arrived in Ecuador from the United States in August, 1973. Miguel came from Venezuela in December, 1975. Initially their ministry started at Campamento Nueva Vida (New Life Camp) in Ecuador’s sierra region just outside the capital city of Quito. In addition to serving as part of the camp staff, they attended Bible School and went on missions trips throughout Ecuador and South America. They married in May, 1978 and started their first church plant in Tumbaco in October, 1979. Since then they have planted half dozen churches in Tumbaco and other communities throughout the mid-sierra region of Ecuador. Not an easy task and often facing strong opposition. Sendero School, the Beginning. In February, 2003, the Dazas started the church Sendero de la Cruz (The Way of the Cross) in Tumbaco as an outgrowth of a home Bible study group. A year later they moved the church to its current rented location where there used to be a French Daycare. The congregation pitched a tent to hold services behind the two-story daycare and used the building to start a Christian daycare/school. They started the 2004/2005 school year for 2-4 year olds, but only one “student”. Although the school is legally called María Clara Díaz Mejía School, it is popularly known as Sendero School. By December, 2004 they had seven students and finished their first school year with ten. What started out as a small outreach of a small Ecuadorian congregation has steadily grown to 25 students the second year; 56 the third; 86 the fourth to 191 today. Sendero School Today. As the congregation and school grew, a simple church building was constructed out of cement block, a corrugated metal roof and patio block floor. Small buildings were added to provide basic classrooms.
Los Robles de Cristo Iglesia today.
The church congregation helps to subsidize the school by paying a portion of the school property monthly rent, but it is a struggle. There are now 13 teachers (including Pastor Patti, who also serves as the school’s administrator) and 8 administrative staff. The only other support the school receives is through the $60/month tuition that the government allows them to charge, which is about 50% lower than what is needed to break even. The government will not let the school charge more because of the school’s facilities and not enough degreed teachers. In an effort to keep the school going, most parents of the students are voluntarily paying $20/month extra in tuition, but still the total is considerably below what is needed. The school now offers quality Christian education to 4 year olds (pre-K) through sixth grade. 
Teacher Wages a Big Factor. At Sendero the starting pay for a teacher is $362/month (minimum wage in Ecuador) or $480/month for those with experience. That is not a livable wage in Ecuador, but it is all Sendero can afford to pay. However, teachers stay at Sendero because they are committed to the mission and Christian fellowship. At the beginning of this school year, though, Sendero did lose three experienced teachers who were offered $800-900/month in the public school system.
Principal Martha Cecilia Beltran Mosquera
Teaching staff of Sendero School, 2014-2015.
The Principal and Teaching Staff. Last October, Sendero School was blessed when a retired university professor and administrator approached Patti, offering to help out at the school. Señora Martha Cecilia Beltrán Mosquera retired in 2008 after 35 years of teaching and administrative work, but wanted to serve the Lord in some capacity. “I was very sad”, said Martha, “because of the cancerous tumors on my spinal column. I was in a lot of pain, so I purposed in my heart to totally serve the Lord with whatever time I had left. The tumors miraculously disappeared and the total miracle was how I arrived at this school by the request of a friend. I came with much trepidation, as I had never worked at a primary school. I asked the Lord to guide me”, she continued, “in my response to the request. And it was a ‘Yes!’”, she exclaimed, “with all my heart. Here I am.” Martha has three (yes, three) BA degrees (Primary School Education, High School Education and Business Administration) and a Master’s degree in University level education and Educational Administration. That she is fully dedicated to the mission and ministry of the school is evident in her enthusiastic commitment and love for the children. “I’m not here for the money”, she commented. “Yes, I get paid. I didn’t ask for anything. The school gives me a monthly check of $450 and I accepted that because I needed it, but I didn’t ask for it. And it’s clearly a fifth of what I used to make. But I feel more productive here”, she smiled. “Yes, it is a better place to work”, she continued. “The Lord brought me here after culminating my professional career. It was difficult to climb the professional ladder, but I did it. I was blessed and I felt fulfilled and I can humbly say I’ve learned a lot here in a short time. I love what I do here.” The Compassion International Ministry. Not content with educating and ministering to nearly 200 children each day, the church and school decided two years ago to take in Compassion International children three days per week—around 220 each day, split between morning and afternoon groups. So, this small band of dedicated believers is now ministering to over 400 children three times a week in a rather confined area.
Compassion International children (note Patti Daza in pink top).
Why the School Must Move. In addition to the challenges already mentioned, two years ago the city told the school staff that the school must re-locate because of a government gasoline station across the street. Much prayer and searching occurred but nothing could be found that met the growing needs and existing finances. The authorities will not allow the school to operate beyond this school year. After July, the school must move or close. Even if the school could stay at its present location, there is one constant threat to its survival: flooding from heavy rains. The property sits about five feet below street level and has flooded four times in the last six months from torrential rains. Before this school year there had always been threats and minor flooding, but with heavy building construction throughout the city, drainage patterns for runoff have changed and the typical 4-6 inch storm sewers cannot handle all the water that funnels down to the low spot of the school. As a result, much staff and student time is used mopping up water and cleaning classrooms after each flood; school supplies, books, desks and classrooms become damaged or destroyed.
Flooded school buildings on March 23, 2015. The fourth flood in the last 6 months.
An attempt to keep the surging waters at bay.
Boys will be boys.
The Opportunity and Vision for the Future. After much prayer and searching it looks like God has opened up an opportunity that will meet the growing needs of the school and offer the prospect of expanding the ministry. About a two months ago the church members and school staff became aware that the former Peace Corps training facility in Collaquí (a barrio of Tumbaco) was up for sale (see details and photos below). This property would enable Sendero to:
- Eventually double the size of the school.
- Expand to include grades up through 12th (high school).
- Provide much better and safer facilities (in the country, not city) and school grounds for the children.
- Increase the Compassion ministry.
- Increase tuition because of better facilities.
- Attract more experienced teachers.
- Double wages for experienced teachers (due to more students; higher tuition).
- Provide volunteer teaching opportunities, internships and other service opportunities for local and foreign university students, church groups and individuals.
- Provide an opportunity for a church plant and ministry to the local community.
Peace Corps Building Property. The Peace Corps building was built several years ago as a school, but it never quite got established. More recently the Peace Corps rented the facility to train Peace Corps members for service in Ecuador. The property is huge compared to Sendero’s present location. At 10,000 sq. meters (107,640 sq. ft. or just under 2.5 acres), the property offers unlimited opportunities for the school.
Main entrance.
Administration and kitchen wing.
Quad area for assemblies.
The level property (rare in much of Ecuador’s sierra region) has a well-constructed, in very good condition, two-story building with 24 classrooms (each with a private bathroom); public bathrooms; administrative office complex; large full kitchen; an outdoor amphitheater (quadrangle); large paved volleyball court and basketball court; children’s play area (needs refurbishing); soccer field; large garden area where the school could raise its own fruits and vegetables and extensive green space and shade trees (something the current property lacks). Channel irrigation also runs through the property. The property is totally secure with a high wall all around and secure gates.
One of 24 classrooms, each with a private bathroom.
East view of the complex.
Volleyball and basketball courts.
Future children’s play area.
Future garden area.
It does come with a very hefty (but very reasonable) price tag of $1.75 million (much less than the going per meter rate in the area. See Addendum below.). Fund Raising Goal. (and link). So, here’s where you can help. While the goal seems big by Ecuadorian standards, with God’s help anything is possible. The school staff and fundraising team are looking for small gifts (as little as $1), although any gift would be greatly appreciated. During the month of May (May 1-31), the fundraising team is organizing a “Facebook” campaign of $1 per Facebook friend. For example, if you have 100 Facebook friends who will donate $1 each and each of them has 100 friends who do the same and each of those 100 have 100 friends who donate a dollar, the school will have its $1 million (100 x 100 x 100 = 1,000,000). However, while it is hoped that a million will seal the deal, the real goal is $1.75 million. So, if God should move you in mysterious ways to donate more, it will be more than appreciated and make up for those who chose not to participate in this blessing. If the goal is exceeded the extra funds will be used to increase teacher wages, hire new teachers, refurbish the property, improve student furniture and supplies and/or provide for student scholarships. To donate, go to this GoFundMe site here. If you would like to donate more than a few dollars but would rather send a check than put it on your credit card, you may send your check here:
Sendero School Ecuador
c/o Pastor Terry King
Bridge of Life Church
14 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Make your check out to “Bridge of Life” but be sure to designate it for “Sendero School”. With Your Help. . . .
This . . .
could become this.
This . . .
could become this.
This . . .
could become this.
This . . .
could become this.
To donate, go to this GoFundMe site here. God bless you and thank you for your support.
Addendum: Some may be questioning why Sendero is pursuing a piece of property that is selling for $1.75 million.
There are several reasons.
First, after two years of searching for a suitable property, this is the first property that makes sense and is suitable for a school. While the price is steep (and there is hope that the actual purchase price will be far less), with God’s help, anything is possible.
Second, land values in this area of the sierra of Ecuador have skyrocketed in the last 5 years. There has been a building boom going on throughout Ecuador due to government spending of billions of dollars on infrastructure (roads, bridges, airports, universities, schools, government buildings, several hydroelectric plants, etc.) that has fueled both commercial and residential construction. Along with the highest influx of immigrants in Latin America (mainly Europeans and North Americans), real estate prices have increased 10x the value of a few years ago. In this area, bare land can sell for $100-200 or even $500/sq. meter (ca. 10 sq. ft.). A small 500 meter plot of land (about 5,000 sq. ft.) can sell for $50,000 or more.
Third, the Peace Corps property at 10,000 meters is reasonably valued at $100/meter = $1 million. With a modern 24-classroom building (with a bathroom in every one), large kitchen, offices, etc.) that is reasonably valued at another $750,000. Of course, the hope is that the school could get it for considerably less, but no guarantee.
Ecuador Life and Culture 