[Who We Are ]

Manos de Esperanza (Hands of Hope) is a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for children in Western El Salvador. By partnering with local church leaders we identify families who are unable to support the education of their children and lend them a helping hand.

[Our Mission]

The mission of Manos de Esperanza is to provide both physical and spiritual encouragement to Christian families and to help create opportunities for the next generation of church leaders in Western El Salvador.

[What We Do]

Manos de Esperanza supports the educational opportunities of children in Western El Salvador through partnerships with families and their local church.

To achieve this, we…

• Identify faithful families who are struggling to provide for their children.
  
• Deliver monthly allotments of basic food staples such as rice, beans, milk, sugar, cooking oil and coffee.
  
• Provide school uniforms, shoes, backpacks, notebooks and other essential school supplies.
  
• Follow up with families to address specific educational and medical needs.
  
• Reward high achieving students and assist them in pursuing a college degree.

[Why It Matters]

Manos de Esperanza works to provide the educational opportunities we enjoy and find essential for our families. This work is important because:

• Half of the population of El Salvador is under 25 and those without education cannot compete in the emerging modern economy.
  
• The average income of an El Salvadoran without secondary education is only $150 a month.
  
• Children can continue their education instead of working to help provide sustenance for their family.
  
• Parents are given the tools to assist in the education of their families at home.
  
• The next generation of church leaders will be better equipped to serve their church and local communities.

[History]

Manos was born out of the support of mission works in Western El Salvador. Curtis Allen first visited El Salvador in 2000, and was later followed by his son David Allen who in 2002 spent 10 months living and working with the churches in that area. Feeling the need to continue supporting the christians in Western El Salvador, Manos de Esperanza was established in January, 2005. Since that time Manos has grown to support nearly 40 students, including those who are attending college. Manos has supported medial mission trips and provides a mobile library to the children and families in the program.

[Board of Directors]

David Allen - President and Co-Founder
Curtis Allen - Vice President and Co- Founder
Tracy Skipper - Treasurer
Jonathan Teel - Board Member
Jason Craddock - Board Member
Darlene Martinez - Director of Events (El Salvador)