San Lucas was once a small village of cornstalk homes with thatched roofs, lacking both electricity and plumbing. There were neither health care facilities nor schools and women and children suffered severely from the lack of healthcare, with many women dying in childbirth and children suffering from malnutrition. But 1963 proved a historic year for the people of San Lucas.
We received about 200 entries from visitors all around the country. Friends of San Lucas staff completed two rounds of voting to determine the winners. Thank you to all of the talented participants who took the time to share their beautiful shots with us.
A warm holiday greeting to each one of you! Many thanks to all the individuals and groups who supported us or visited us in 2019.
On September 28th, more than 350 people gathered together for the annual Celebrate San Lucas Gala in Mankato, Minnesota. We enjoyed live music, dinner, auctions, and inspirational speakers. In total we raised $140,000 to serve the people of San Lucas Tolimán.
This week our coffee program had a very special visit from Dulce Barrera. Dulce is a three-time national tasting champion and a three-time world champion.
Marta is a coffee grower who has been selling her yield to Juan Ana Coffee for the past seven years. With the money she earns, Marta invests in her children’s education, maintenance of their home, and the expansion of her farmland.
In June, we dedicated our first “hybrid” house. Part block and part wood and designed by Mission staff, it will last longer than the all-wood homes and be cheaper to build than all-block homes.
In July we launched an exciting new website that highlights the vibrant life of Friends of San Lucas.