In spite of the weather conditions due to rainy season in our country, Marvin Tobar is always ready to come and learn at the Foundation. He is 10 years old and is part of our sign language class program. He … Continued
Friends From Iowa Foundation provides many avenues for help and services through Friends From Iowa Foundation: housing or building materials, physical and occupational therapy, psychological care and services, a safe and structured learning environment for special needs kids and an … Continued
Does poverty have a face? I am told there are people living in poverty right here in Waukee, Iowa; the place that I have grown up and lived in for 62 years. I can truthfully say that I do not think I have … Continued
Our foundation co-hosted the first-ever Festival of Inclusion in Berlin to celebrate persons with disabilities! Many organizations, government agencies, and NGOs were in attendance. Together, our objective is to make all people with disabilities be heard by a society that … Continued
I want to introduce Alexander. When I first met him, he was strapped into the back of a pickup truck with his young daughter embracing him, giving him a kiss, and not wanting to let him go. Alexander was getting … Continued
“Sometimes it is just about putting a smile on a face.” I want to introduce you to Natalie. She is one child out of millions that live in extreme poverty; the only difference is that I know her, her family, … Continued
Hello!! Good morning!! I send a little information of what is now celebrated here is the Dia de la Cruz … the tradition to put a cross, decorate it with flowers and fruits that means welcome the winter!! Asi q suit a … Continued
What is the value YOU, personally, put on water? For the sake of my example, what would you pay to have running water to make your morning coffee, brush your teeth, wash your face, quench your thirst or flush the … Continued
“I hate it when something that I have repeated over and over gets thrown back at me in my face.” When my kids were growing up and things were not going their way they would complain about something not being … Continued
“It is weird what you are doing for people because nobody else did that. It is not the fact that you are actually helping somebody; it is the fact that you take care of them, you follow them, you are connected … Continued
I am still in Berlin after three weeks; it seems like three days. There is so much to do and it seems that we never get caught up. When I first got here, Reina had been released from the hospital and we … Continued
“It is repeated many times by people of faith that “GOD never burdens us with more than we can handle.” It gives me great pause to wonder why such pain and suffering would be laid upon such a young and … Continued
“When embarking on a journey, never be scared of advancing. It’s your destiny to which you will always have to go.” THE STORY OF “ANITA” In her own words, Anita Alvarado writes about her experience growing up in El Salvador. Anita’s life … Continued
As heard on the street in Berlin, El Salvador: a young, school-aged student asked his parents, “Is there really going to be a library with computers that any of us from the community can use to do homework, get tutoring, and … Continued
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Hello. I hope you are in good health. The reason for this letter is to tell you a little of what has been the year of study in college. I’ll be a little short. hehehehe … Well the day … Continued
Donʼt look back; that is not the direction that I am going: A year end reflection while looking forward to 2016 at Friends From Iowa Foundation. I always liked the phrase, “Don’t look back; that’s not the direction I am … Continued
Celebrating LIVING Christmas. One of the first things I ritually do when I arrive in Berlin is visit the families who live in the homes we built and gave to them. There are currently sixty people living there, and it consumes most … Continued
An update on Jose Maravilla: Jose is a 59-year-old gentleman who had been wandering aimlessly looking for help for his severe leg and feet problems. For those who have not heard about him, you can read earlier posts about him … Continued
I feel like I am on a mental teeter-totter, not knowing if I am feeling somber or blithe.
Reina is able to begin chemotherapy treatment TODAY and may be able to save her arm and more importantly, her life. “WHY?” Many of us have this God thing all wrong: believing and stating that if we have faith in God, everything … Continued
AM I ALL IN? That is a question I seem to be internally asking myself more frequently as time goes on. Hopefully, this happens to others, or I am giving an inside glimpse at how my brain works. My passport is full; there … Continued
Do you remember “God’s Not So Subtle Humor?” “A large storm hit the Berlin area, and in its aftermath one of the Foundation’s buildings was partially destroyed by a large mango tree falling on it. Upon learning of this, my first reaction was WHY … Continued
