STICKS & STONES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Eight years ago, Stephen Keogh, an experienced building contractor, went down to El Salvador with a Christian group from Kitchener Ontario. They went down right after the two large earthquakes in 2000. At that time, they built twenty-one houses for the communites of Las Lajas and Chacarita.

  Steve's whole life changed, when he started doing this work and since then he's been going back down to El Salvador at least two or three times a year to built homes in Chacarita.

  The Bible says that, "Without a vision, the people perish." Certainly we can say that the people of Chacarita now have a vision and a hope. They no longer feel that they are alone in trying to make a better life for their families. With each house that has been built, their realization of a better future has grown.

OUR FUNDRAISING

About four years ago Steve was installing a furnace for retired schoolteacher, Joseph Wysocki, in Edmonton, Alberta and shared with Joseph about his work in El Salvador. Mr Wysocki caught the vision, and ever since has been volunteering tirelessly to raise funds for the families in Chacarita. Joseph has fallen in love with the people of El Salvador, and would love to join Steve on a trip, if his health would allow. But though he can't physically be there, he says that he is there in spirit and prayer.

ACCOUNTABILITY

It is important to say that Mr Keogh has always paid all his own expenses, believing that all the money raised should go to the families of the poor. See how the poor presently live. All travel, fundraising expenses, webpage design etc is paid for by the volunteers themselves.

A NEW ORGANISATION

Two years ago in 2006 instead of being simply a private venture, we set up a not-for-profit company (an NGO) registered in Alberta, Canada. Our new organisation Sticks and Stones Community Development will allow us to expand our effectiveness. Please consider partnering with us so we can increase the number of houses for families living in substandard shelter... what we most need is money for materials... and also if you want to pay your own trip and volunteer, or come down and see what we are doing, contact us.

EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF

In October of 2005, there were 67,000 people displaced in El Salvador because of a volcano eruption, and because of massive mudslides caused by heavy rains. In this emergency situation Mr Keogh, with money donated by Canadians,  was able to supply food and basic utensils for 1,500 people who were sheltering at two schools in Armania, and at a sugar cane factory in San Icidro. The Salvadorian army was very appreciative of this help - see pictures - and it was really good to see the tremendous courtesy and respect that the army and the police showed towards the people who were in these shelters.

Steve purchased the food from the local market in San Salvador
and distributed it to the people taking shelter
in the two schools at Armania and at the sugar cane factory in San Icidro.

NEW SITE NOW READY 

  In the spring of 2006 we rented a cat and leveled a site for eight new houses... we are currently building the houses on this site with donated money.

As Joaquin Monterroza, our young friend and interpreter always says:
"God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good."

We continue to build, One Block at a Time, and One Day at a Time!
Please be a part of this! Your donation will help make it happen!
Canadian Charitable Income Tax Receipts available.
Please mail your cheque to:

Joe Wysocki (Treasurer)
"Sticks & Stones Community Development"
14616 - 114a Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5X 1H2
CANADA

OR YOU CAN DONATE ON-LINE USING THE PAYPAL SYSTEM (VISA, MASTERCARD, OR PAYPAL):

You can also contact us at :
(780) 904-5802
or email Steve at

News Reports - See one of our new houses - Photos of makeshift housing - How you can help