Casa de Fe in danger

I have spent the last few days drafting an email (attached below) to current donors in a plea to help keep the doors open at Casa de Fe. We have had fewer teams visit than previous years and because of that the cashflow at Casa de Fe is to a point that they were unable to pay employees this month. It makes me sick because I see just how much the staff loves these kids. Am trying desperately to come up with some ideas to gain some quick cash for Casa de Fe while also trying to work on longterm solutions to stabilize cashflow. I have been working in the background as a consultant and advisor to help facilitate the transfer of the Director position from Patti Sue (the founder) to Henry (the new director). I have also been helping with the organizational structure as well as trying to help the staff find ways to become more productive and efficient. I am sponsoring a new website for the organization with the expectation that it will facilitate and encourage more fundraisers though software available on the site. We are working on building new relationships as well as trying to set up fundraisers in the US, but it is extremely hard doing these things from Ecuador. Having a donor base that is over 2000 miles away just doesn't make things easy.

I have visited with many people over the last few months and have grown accustomed to hearing the words: "We will pray". If those people are actually praying then I feel confident that the future of Casa de Fe is in the hands of the Lord. But how many times have you told someone that and then never actually gotten around to praying for them? I think for many people this is their way of trying to get out of actually doing anything but wanting to remain "guilt-free". It seems to just be a better way to say "No". Praying God would help me get my heart right, as I know that not everyone's priorities match mine as to whom they give their prayers, time and money and that should be ok. :) Please pray for my family as we continue to search for new ways to help these kids.

Hello,

I don’t think we have met. My name is Kirk Bemis, and my family is currently living in Baños, about an hour away from Casa de Fe in Shell. We are learning Spanish, taking care of a CdF child named Enrique, who undergoing chemotherapy, and helping out however else we can with things at Casa de Fe. It is with that desire to help that I am writing to you today. You may not be told often enough, but everyone at Casa de Fe absolutely appreciates your support through visits, finances and prayers. As you know, Casa de Fe is not associated with a larger organization, so it is solely through the help of individuals that it is able to exist here in the jungle of Ecuador.

Because of your past support and your concern for these children, I am taking a moment to contact you personally regarding the current state of Casa de Fe. For 14 years, Casa de Fe has existed with the purpose of caring for the abandoned and abused children of this area. CdF has always managed to scrape by through support like yours and by the grace of God, but now the organization is faced with serious short-term (hopefully) troubles. This month Casa de Fe does not have the funds necessary to pay its employees and next month is coming fast. Patti Sue and the Board of Directors feel sick that they are unable pay the very people who love and care for the children. CdF is looking at a projected shortage of over $60,000 over the next 3 months. This is due to many factors, as the last couple years have been a period of great transition for CdF. The leadership at CdF was unable to regroup and adapt to this changing landscape quickly enough to avoid hard times.

I do wish to report, however, that in the past few months there have been many positive changes that will definitely solidify the financial future of CdF. Some are listed below:

1. The addition of Henry, the new director of Casa de Fe. He is already doing a fantastic job at “holding down the fort” so that Patti Sue, the founder, will be able to again focus on matters of a proactive nature for CdF.

2. All expenses have been reviewed, and a few changes have been made that will decrease expenses in the years to come.

3. Many projects of a self-sustaining nature have been implemented this year by Hernan and Jaime, the maestros at Casa de Fe along with huge help from the volunteers that visit Casa de Fe. Many trenches have been dug in the black mud to divert water so that food may be grown. Pens have been built, and pigs and chickens have been added to help offset the cost of feeding the children. The fish ponds have been revamped with the intent of being better able to support a crop of fish .

4. A family has decided to sponsor the transition and maintenance of a new website for Casa de Fe that will hopefully make things easier and more productive, such as scheduling events, sponsoring children, volunteer registration, and being able to download resources for general education and fundraising.

5. Mark is in the process of transitioning fully into the role of Chaplain at Casa de Fe, and he is very excited about that! He has recently started offering Sunday services at CdF for the children and staff, and is starting to implement more programs to help everyone there develop a closer relationship with Christ.

We hope to report to you in a few months that Casa de Fe is out of financial trouble and on a path to true stability. Only time will tell, but I can assure you that it is not their intent to be in this position again.

Will you please give for the special purpose of helping Casa de Fe weather this storm? You may go to http://www.adventive.ca/sidebar/donating-from-the-us.html then choose Ecuador -> Casa de Fe -> General Donation. You may also go to the website at lacasadefe.org and click on “Donate”. If you would like any help putting together a fundraiser please respond to this email with your request. Again, thank you for your past and current support of Casa de Fe and thank you again for your prayers.

Respectfully,

Kirk Bemis

Volunteer, Casa de Fe