Episcopal Relief and Development staff recently visited the Salvadorian community of Lourdes, a site where ERD built houses in 1987, and we are pleased to find that the town has been thriving and growing.  The Presiding Bishop’s Fund, which later changed its name to Episcopal Relief and Development, funded the construction of about 15 houses in Lourdes in 1987 after an earthquake devastated El Salvador in October 1986.  Lourdes is located about 15km west of the country’s capital, San Salvador, and has retained its ties to US Episcopal churches to this day.

The Diocese of New Jersey and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mobile, AL are funding the construction of a new school building at San Mateo church, in Lourdes, El Salvador.  These two groups have been connected to El Salvador for some time.  The Diocese of New Jersey has a companion relationship with the Diocese of El Salvador, and St. Paul’s has sent groups of volunteers to El Salvador through ERD. The parish of San Mateo has for a number of years operated an elementary school at the church in a small building beside the chapel.  The houses ERD built decades ago are a short distance from this church compound, and some of the residents are members of San Mateo Church.  Revenue generated from the new school’s attendance fees will help set San Mateo on the track towards self-sufficiency and sustainability.

The first phase of the school building included the construction of two classrooms and boys and girls student bathrooms.  The next phase will include the construction of two additional classrooms, renovation of the existing school building, and purchase of furniture for the new classrooms.  The new classrooms will allow the school to offer additional grades of study.  ERD provided funding for construction oversight and coordination.  All other costs have been provided by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mobile, AL and the Diocese of New Jersey.