WHO WE ARE
Misioneros Del Camino is a charitable, non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Florida, USA in 1986, and in Guatemala under Government Agreement #1088. It has federal tax exemption in both countries and was founded by Mrs. Leonor Portela, widow of Jose Crespo, a Cuban-American. Mrs. Portela, was widowed with a six months old son in 1961, when her husband, Captain Jose A. Crespo’s military airplane crashed into the ocean. Three days after the devastating earthquake in Guatemala on February 4, 1975 that left 23,000 dead and 100,000 injured, she traveled to Guatemala taking aid from Miami for the victims of the earthquake.
While in Guatemala, she felt a calling from God to help the poor children of that country. In 1986, with the $2,700 she had raised with her prayer group, she moved to Guatemala to open a Home for the children.
(Click Here to Take a Look back on Leonor's Legacy)
WHAT WE DO
Video- Leonor's Story of Unconditional Love
After a modest beginning in a house in Guatemala City with 6 children, the number of permanent residents increased rapidly to 50. Hundreds of temporary residents have been helped by the Home during its existence.
The Home consists of temporary as well as permanent residents. Temporary residents are those recovering from malnutrition or whose families have resolved their crisis, and are able to return to their families. Permanent residents are those without families who stay in the home until they reach legal age or finish their studies.
In 1990 the municipality of Sumpango, Sacatepequez, donated to Misioneros Del Camino approximately 10 acres of land, with several abandoned buildings almost in ruins so that the Home could relocate to the rural area. After several years of repair and construction, the Home was relocated, but faced the serious problem of not having potable water. The Home survived the first year and a half buying a daily supply of water.
Thanks to the Rotary Club South of Guatemala with the cooperation of other Rotary Clubs from the U.S. and Canada, a well 705 feet deep was dug that provides sufficient water to the facilities.
OUR PROGRAMS
THE HOME
The “children’s home” provides a safe haven for orphaned, abandoned and abused children
NEUROLOGICAL CLINIC
The objective of the clinic is to improve the quality of life for children with neurological disorders, their parents and siblings.
THE SCHOOL
The school provides education, school supplies, uniforms and transportation to the children from the surrounding areas and the home
