First off, I would like to apologize about the length of time which has transpired since reporting on our launch party. Sarah Lucas, Eduardo, Matthew and I would like to thank the following people who were crucial in its success:

 

Andy Duffy of Duffy's Irish Restaurant and Pub at 2106 Vermont Avenue, NW, for providing the Back Room free of charge, and donating 200 of the best Buffalo Wings in Washington, DC to the cause!!!

 

José Isidro Reyes of El Tamarindo at 1785 Florida Avenue, NW for supplying 200 pupusas!

 

Ana Galvez of Ana Tamalería at 1362 New York Avenue, NE, for supplying the tamales!!

 

Maria Diaz de Figaroa, head chef at Rotary Club International in Alexandria, Virginia, for preparing and serving all the remaining party delicacies, supplied at cost.

 

Thanks to John Hocker of SCORE for providing invaluable support and guidance and for showing up early!;Helen Rouhanna for holding down the fort, Orlando "Enrique" Alvarado and Roberto Martinez for graciously donating the services of DJ Blanca Reyes, and to Blanca for spinning great tracks!

 

Thanks to Olga of Olga's Party Store at Mall La Union of 1401 University Blvd. E., in Hyattsville, Maryland, for supplying the helium balloons at cost and driving downtown from Hyattsville with her helium tank to blow them up!!!

 

Thanks to all who demonstrated their support by attending at such short notice! In case you missed it, however, there will be other events to follow in the coming year!!!

 

Tomorrow, I will give a progress report on CAFRED's emergency fundraising effort and how much more is needed to build a new school for the deserving children of Canton El Olimpo, El Salvador!

 

Gary Alvah Urra

President and Co-Founder, CAFRED

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27 November 2009

Today is the Inauguration of our blog here on The CAFRED Web site! We wish to inform you that it is now possible to make donations through this Web site! The DONATE link is right below the GET INVOLVED link on the upper right on each page! You may donate with Visa, Master Card, American Express or by using your Pay Pay account!

This should make it easier for our supporters and friends to make donations, especially those of you in Chile, Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Colombia, Thailand, France and Venezuela!!! Unfortunately, only US residents get a tax break at this point!!! We're planning on changing that in the near future!! In the meantime, it's easy to donate the equivalent of $20 in Euros, Pesos, Quetzales, Kronor, Bahts, Yen or Canadian dollars!! You'll never miss it!!! Well, maybe you will, but you'll sleep better tonight!! We guarantee it!! 

We welcome comments on our blog posts on our Facebook Page: Central America Foundation for Rural Education Development! Catchy, isn't it??!!

Hasta la proxima!!!

Gary

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12 November 2009

An article, written by Jeremy Tarbox, is meant to commemorate the recent history of El Salvador, in recognition of its martyrs who died in pursuit of justice and freedom of speech. (To see this article, please go to our Facebook Fan Page: Central America Foundation for Rural Education Dveleopment.) The recent elections, although marred by irregularities, were a triumph of democracy for this small nation.  As is often the case in Central America, however, a quiet moment of reflection and personal triumph has been rudely interrupted by the vagaries of nature.

The recent storm in El Salvador has claimed the lives of more than 140 people, at least 49 of them children. 18 bridges have been destroyed, thousands are left homeless, and the country faces a crucial and immediate need for food and clothing.

We offer our sincere condolences to those who lost loved ones, and to those who remain homeless and vulnerable. We also are here to offer our support to the Salvadoran community for its immediate needs.

Please contact us at CAFRED for further details of how you can help at: 202 234 3330.

In the Washington, DC area, we are accepting donations of warm clothing for children and babies, as well as for adults. These items are desperately needed and will be delivered by truck to El Salvador by our friends at ARCILLA. Please call and we will offer to pick them up or give instructions on where to donate them.

Tax-deductible cash donations which are stated to be for the immediate needs of the Salvadoran people in this crisis will be directed, dollar for dollar, to the victims, by CAFRED.

Stay tuned for updates both here and on our Facebook Fan Page.

Gary Urra, President
Central America Foundation for Rural Education Development