FOR
TEPECOYO
TORTILLAS
+ AN EDUCATION
ABOUT US
La Javia, Tepecoyo is a rural community in El Salvador located about an hour east of the capital of San Salvador.
Traditionally, the majority
of the families in La Javia
worked in agriculture.
However,
prices for coffee,
beans, and corn
have been rising
and falling in recent
years leaving families
without a stable
income and forcing many
to seek work in the city.
Years ago, Angelica Portillo, a mother of two, began volunteering with the health promoter in La Javia. As she made her rounds, she began to notice that many of the children were very undernourished and their mothers lacked the financial means to provide their children with more nutritious food.
Angelica decided to establish a community nutrition initiative out of her home with the initial support of The Sisters of Charity. Women from throughout the community met every Monday through Friday in order to prepare lunch for the children of La Javia.
The Sisters of Charity
eventually had to leave Tepecoyo along with their funding, however, Angelica and the community of
La Javia have been partners with The Casa de la Solidaridad
Study Abroad Program for the past 12 years.
Through the Casa Program, dozens of college students from the United States have been able to accompany Angelica and the community of Tepecoyo.
Several former Casa students have been working to support the comedor
and in 2012
Tortillas
for Tepecoyo
was formed.
Inspired by the lives of the 6 UCA Jesuits, Casa de la Solidaridad offers a unique opportunity to study abroad in El Salvador.
Casa de la Solidaridad is rooted in the integration of four pillars:
accompaniment with those who suffer most, rigorousacademic study, simple community living and spirituality.
For more information visit http://www.scu.edu/casa/