Tamarindo Foundation in Guarjila

John riding with the boys!

Thursday Dave and I hopped the ferry to Chalatenango which is the department north.  From there, we hitched a ride in a pickup to catch a bus.  We arrived in Guarjila and asked around for John Guiliano's house.  We walked about fifteen minutes as people pointed us in the right direction.  

John is a friend I met at Centro Arte para la Paz five months ago.  He is a character to say the least.  He has been a Jesuit, a coyote, a social worker, a fisherman, a scuba instructor, an adventure tour company owner, a professional hockey player/ national team coach, on and on and on.  He's lived in El Salvador since 1984 and in 2004 started the Tamarindo Foundation (http://www.tamarindofoundation.org/) in Guarjila, a small village.

Mission:  The Tamarindo Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, public charity committed to serving people in need in rural El Salvador, especially disadvantaged youth, with projects in education, health, recreation, micro-business and leadership formation.

Among the aforementioned, John focuses on promoting peace and creating leadership through athletics.  He converted two large chicken coups into a community center and sport court.  John is a passionate individual and strong, fatherly figure to all.  He doesn't tolerate gang activity, drug consumption, violence, or poor attitude that is so prevalent in the lives of his boys.  As a result, he is deeply respected.

Dave and I arrived in time for hockey practice.  We loaded John's truck and ventured to the center for hockey practice.  That night we toasted his "website launch" at his house.  John is planning to cycle from Boston to Seattle and ultimately through the Bay Area.  He will promote and raise money for the Tamarindo Foundation along the way.  He plans to construct a new community building, as the chicken coup space is packed with people twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week (women who need a safe space sleep there at night).

Check out John's Give Kids a Chance Tour website!  http://givekidsachance.us/Home_Page.html 

If your town is on the tour itinerary, contact John to find out where the Tamarindo Foundation event is that day! 

All in all, we had a blast in Guarjila Thursday night and witnessing John's center in action inspired a motivated spirit within me.  I always feel encouraged when someone's lofty dream/vision becomes reality.  Devotion, dedication, diligence, and faith are well and alive at the Tamarindo Foundation in Guarjila!