Conduit of Hope

Maria Alegre (2005, ‘07)

As I look back on my life, there certainly has been a good share of suffering, failure, betrayal and disillusion. However, I also have been blessed by the helping hand of people who acted like guardian angels and they are linked to two organizations, Lechería de la Solidaridad in the “barrio” where I grew up and Conduit of Hope in Portland, Oregon.

It reached high school graduation with some delay and difficulty but at Lecheria I received unwavering support, helping me to focus on long term goals, recognize my own strength and ability to overcome hurdles and develop a sense of responsibility.

The opportunity to attend Portland State University in Oregon was a dream come true. As members of the first group in 2005, we were a little doubtful as to how the experience would turn out. But as soon as we reached Portland we found everything organized for us, including loving care from families, church and people sharing extracurricular activities. I particularly enjoyed the intense but manageable study timetable with class attendance in the morning and homework in the afternoon.

So far, I have been the only student getting a second turn, taking another session in 2007. Clearly the second time over, the experience was easier, having already acquired familiarity with the environment and with the language.

I always have had the inclination to help out where possible and with whatever means available. The dedication toward me and my fellow students that I experienced on the part of Conduit of Hope people has strongly reinforced that. Back at home, I am naturally faced with many unchanged problems and unattractive realities, but coming from this experience I feel the strong impulse to complete my studies toward a teacher diploma, to continue to work - as I do in Lecheria - and to contribute by sharing my experience with the community.

I am totally thankful for the opportunities offered to me by Lecheria and Conduit of Hope.

Jonathan Alfonso (2005)

In 2005 I completed one term of intensive English at PSU as part of the first group under this initiative. Results were very satisfactory to judge from my grades and the opinion of my host family and other people involved.

The following year, my visa application to continue the program was rejected. However, the Conduit of Hope people decided to devote the money allotted to finance local schooling to become a chef.

Thanks to Conduit of Hope I experienced tremendous personal growth; I learned to trust people and organizations, even to believe that everything is possible as long as you don’t give up hope. I learned to remain positive, not to give up and stay focused on goals. In fact, this had been one of my challenges which I continue to overcome day by day.

I am thankful to this project for change achieved in myself, always in a positive direction, essentially to become more responsible and show solidarity toward others. I learned to help others as I was helped.

I thank Conduit of Hope for helping me to turn around my life.

Cintia Ugarte (2006, ‘08)

As I look today at myself, I see someone completely different from the person I was before going through the Conduit of Hope experience. Although I had overcome quite a few hurdles within a difficult life, I never dreamed of the possibilities that would be opened up.

My previous life was one of work and study, with quite a bit of routine and boredom. I participated in Lecheria activities in a subdued way; I was shy and fearful, keeping a low profile. However, somebody was discreetly watching me and to my utter surprise showed enough trust and confidence to put me to this challenge.

Honestly, I was not only surprised but doubtful as to my ability to live up to it, particularly as I initially was surrounded completely by folks with a completely language, culture and life style. But almost right away I found these people offering their best in terms of teaching, guidance, spending time with me and sharing their life style. This had an impact on my life which will stay with me permanently.

I returned from this experience full of happiness and hope and with a desire to share my experiences with my community, particularly the Lecheria which is at the center of my life. All through this year I have been sharing learning experiences with children, teenagers and adults at Lcheria, teaching and learning, feeling fully comfortable. I have gotten rid of past fears, developed assertiveness. I have learned to trust my own ability and that goals can be achieved putting in the necessary effort, a message that I try to share with everybody through words and example.

My heartfelt thanks for this to Conduit of Hope.

Mayra Ledesma (2008)

Since I arrived in Portland, I have lived a very different life from what I have in Argentina.   I learned that everything desired can be accomplished with much effort.  When we believe that there is no exit, that everything will turn out badly, it is there when we have to struggle for what we want.  Everything remains possible when we don’t lose faith.

From the first moment, I dedicated myself to the challenge of moving forward, to embracing the experience of living in the US with a culture completely different.  I was able to do it and everthing has turned out better than I what I ever hoped.

Thanks to this experience I lived, I was able to learn to persevere and have confidence in myself.  From now until forever, thank you to Conduit of Hope.  I have new goals in my life to continue with school to strengthen my future and to always look ahead, dedicating myself to what I want to achieve…because I see no limits and nothing seems impossible.

Graciela Salaverry (Buenos Aires)

Graciela is the President of La Lecheria de la Solidaridad, a Conduit of Hope partner in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lechería de la Solidaridad is one of many NGOs devoted in Argentina to rescuing children and teenagers from the squalor and despair of shanty towns. Possibly our distinguishing feature is that we have had a core of volunteers, some permanent, some temporary, who for a long time have built personal relationships and the basis for trust and faith in a possible better future. This is how we have moved from virtually zero high school attendance to at least acceptance of high school graduation as a reasonable and generally achievable goal, with a number of kids going on to higher education.

The Conduit of Hope initiative somehow extends this concept on a much broader scale, with institutions and volunteer families reaching out across borders to bring about change in the lives of youngsters. Inevitably it directly reaches only a limited number of kids, but we are working on the selection and follow-up process to extract maximum benefits from their contribution as subsequent participants in Lechería work and simply as role models.

The kids that have moved through Conduit of Hope so far have in fact come back as different persons, the result of acquiring some degree of fluency in English, absorbing a completely different culture and interacting with a completely different environment. They were selected as promissory candidates already, but they returned as individuals that are ready to move on to next and better phases in their lives. And this is not lost on the community in the “barrio”, and particularly on the kids who are in daily contact with Conduit alumni within Lechería premises. So we see Conduit of Hope as a beacon helping youngsters and their families to focus on hope, possibilities and goals.

Rob Fohr (Buenos Aires)

Dear members of First Presbyterian,

My name is Rob Fohr and I am the current representative of the PCUSA’s Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program currently serving at La Lecheria de la Solidaridad in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. Last month, I had the honor of meeting Erik Berg and Meredith Weber during their visit to Argentina. Even though it has been five years since Erik served as a YAV at La Lecheria, his impact, presence and love is felt to this day. I am writing to you all to thank you so much for your support of the community of Barrio San Pablo through the Conduit of Hope (CoH) Program.

I had the privilege of witnessing the “before and after” of the 2005 CoH participants, Jonathan “Joni” Alfonso and Maria “Chivi” Alegre. Upon returning from their three months in Portland, both Chivi and Joni were received in almost an heroic-like manner by their community. As far as I am concerned they are heroes. They have done something that was previously regarded as impossible and not only survived their experience, but excelled and flourished.

Although both students matured and grew immensely, a change was most evident in Joni. When I first met him in September he was a shy, standoff-ish kid and returned in December as a outgoing, confident young man who is becoming a true leader among the young people of La Lecheria. Both Chivi and Joni have shared with me the profundity of their respective life-changing experiences and how they feel their eyes have been opened to another world/reality in which they were previously unaware.

It is incredible to hear some of my younger students ask me, “Do you think I could go study in the United States someday?” I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this question possible. The mere existence of the CoH is having a staggering effect on the people of Barrio San Pablo and is truly transforming a community. You all are showing the true meaning God’s love by entering into this wonderful relationship with the community of Barrio San Pablo.

I know through the testimonies of Meredith and Erik that Chivi and Joni also had an incredible effect on their host families and church community. Their love, eagerness to learn and general sunny dispositions transcend any language barrier that may exist (although as their English tutor, I must make note of the considerable improvement of their English skills). Erik, as both a man of compassion and vision is a shining example of how one can maintain a relationship with a Placement Site after the year of service comes to an end. Once again, thank you so much for supporting the vision and mission of the Conduit of Hope, thank you for opening your homes, lives and sharing your love with the community of Barrio San Pablo.

Blessings and Peace,
Rob Fohr (Young Adult Volunteer 2005-06)