What We Did
COMPLETED PROJECTS
OUR SUCCESS STORIES
REBUILDING LIVES
New Houses in Sabana Grande, El Salvador
A tropical storm devastated many make-shift houses in the village of Sabana Grande. Learning of the need, LACF built more than 15 houses over several years, using local labor and local building materials. These simple brick and cement-block houses offer secure homes, ready to resist future storms. This amazing project provided local employment, expanded local skills, and resulted in secure homes for families in need.
PLANTING RESILIENCE
Reforestation in Guatemala
Working with the EarthWays Foundation and Seeds of Help, LACF funded reforestation projects in the rugged highlands of Guatemala. The trees not only provide resistance against climate change, they teach the importance of local resource preservation.
EDUCATION ESSENTIALS
School Supplies and School Repairs for Cordoncillo, El Salvador
This island off the coast of El Salvador suffers from limited resources. Hearing the need, LACF supporters funded school supplies, student shoes, and food basics. LACF funded construction projects like a retaining wall at the island school that stopped classroom flooding during storms.
BETTER WATER ACCESS
Water Cisterns in Rural Guatemala
LACF supports efforts by Seeds of Help to build family water cisterns in rural Guatemala. These cisterns not only provide family water during the dry season, they also help young girls attend school. Traditionally, grade-school-aged girls have the responsibility to tote water from a community source to the family home. That means girls often miss lots of school while toting water. Family water cisterns, supported by LACF, change that dynamic.
ENERGY SUPPLY
Solar Panels for Orphanages and San Salvador Homeless Shelter
In conjunction with the EarthWays Foundation, LACF helped fund solar panel installations at Mission to El Salvador, as well as Mi Casa. Both installations now provide reliable electric power (no more power outages on hot humid days), while reducing operating costs. Lower costs mean more resources to help those in need.
MOBILITY ASSISTANCE
Medical Equipment for Young and Old
Over the years, LACF has shipped truckloads of medical equipment and supplies to the children of El Salvador. We’ve sent dentist’s chairs, inhalation equipment, crutches, and first aid materials. LACF has also supplied wheelchairs to poor children who have mobility issues due to illness, accident, or physical handicap. Thanks to our donors, LACF wheelchairs help children move, heal, and stay in school.
SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANCE
Hogar de Niños Especiales
(Home for Special Children)
This home, located in the town of San Martin, El Salvador, houses 125 children, all of whom have severe physical or mental handicaps. When LACF toured the home we were shocked to learn that all the meals for the children were prepared in a tiny, primitive kitchen. Our supporters made it possible for LACF to construct a brand-new kitchen building and equip it with modern appliances.
ORPHANGE HELP
Niños al Familia
(Children in a Family)
Thirty-eight boys live in this orphanage in the town of Ilobasco, El Salvador. When we first visited, all the boys slept in one room, a room jammed full of beds. The boys slept two or three to a bed. The rest of the building was in poor condition and not nearly adequate for so many kids. Our supporters answered the call, and we were able to construct new sleeping and dressing rooms, install a new bathroom, new kitchen, and laundry facilities.
MORE ORPHANAGE HELP
Hogar Welch Infantil
(Welch Home for Children)
Hogar Welch Infantil is an orphanage in the Zacatecoluca, El Salvador. LACF completed a series of improvements to the facilities. We repaired the muddy, unpaved courtyard, replaced much of the roof, and remodeled the kitchen. We also installed a bank of showers. Previously, the children were showered in the yard with a garden hose. (The girls got their showers early at 4 a.m., before the boys were awake.)
COMPUTING LIFE SKILLS
Recovering Teen Addicts in El Salvador
LACF provided seed money to Mission to El Salvador to equip a computer lab so recovering addicts could continue their education. Learning computer skills is also important for finding meaningful careers.
ELDER CARE
Rural El Salvador Senior Home
While visiting a close friend in a remote rural village, LACF founder Florence Mediate learned of a nearby senior citizen home in dire need of help. She stopped at the home and found caregivers, elderly themselves, struggling to help those who couldn't walk, and struggling to keep things clean with a broken washing machine and no drier. Not one to leave needs unmet; Florence emailed the LACF board asking for funds. Through LACF funding support, and Florence's connections in her country of birth, she got wheelchairs, and a new washer and drier delivered to the senior home.
ACTIVITY AND RECREATION
New Playground Set
Thanks to your donations to LACF, the school at the impoverished island of El Cordóncillo, El Salvador got a new playground set for a safe, entertaining place to play at recess.
SECURITY AND SAFETY
SchooI Safety Improvements
With the donation of two televisions to the school so kids can watch learning lessons, the school needed extra security to prevent theft. LACF filled in the walls and added a solid door lock.
TAKE A SEAT
New Chairs for the Rural Clinic
LACF gave the clinic 40 new folding chairs and a cushioned chair for the doctor. The clinic still has most of the chairs we purchased over 15 years ago but they needed more as they present health classes and have events for the community.
The mission of the Latin American Children’s Fund is to provide food, clothing, shelter, education, and promote the welfare of children in Central America.
© 2026 Latin American Children's Fund, Inc.