
A complete bio of Sr. Anselmo Roldán Aguilar is available
here.
Sr. Aguilar will be speaking in ten US locations during this NISGUA speaking tour.
For more information visit
www.obsepa.org
Special SEPA Volunteer/Donor Appreciation Dinner
Members of the SEPA Board hosted a festive Appreciation Dinner for about 40 donors and volunteers at the Oberlin Depot on Friday, September 20. Guests enjoyed the Board’s home-cooked smorgasbord before hearing a report on the future of human rights accompaniment in Guatemala.
Barbara and Bill Fuchsman recently represented SEPA at the Annual G.A.P. (Guatemala Accompaniment Project) Gathering in Seattle. Most G.A.P. Sponsors now focus more on accompaniment and no longer maintain the original community connections established when refugees returned home following the 36-year Guatemalan Civil War. SEPA is one of just a few sponsoring groups that continues to maintain these original connections.
John Gates then presented an illustrated talk on his summer visit to Santa Elena, Copal AA and Quetzaltenango. There are many big changes occurring in Santa Elena with a new road and the arrival of electricity to the community.
John reported on the progress of the Santa Elena Catholic Church building (a project funded by Oberlin’s Sacred Heart Church and several other Catholic communities), which is used for Sunday services and has hosted several joyful community events.
John met with student scholarship recipients in Copal AA, and took time to visit Quetzaltenango's Mi Casita Montessori, which Oberlin graduate Maggie Paulin (OC'13) helped establish in 2012 and who now serves there as one of the teachers.
Seeing the residents of these communities and the hard work and progress being achieved was gratifying to SEPA members and also underscored that there are many needs yet to be addressed and much work we can do together.

As part of the evening, the Board announced an “electrifying” mini-fundraiser to help SEPA support the installation of electricity in the Santa Elena school. The project received more than $250 in immediate contributions to help the cause.
“The annual Appreciation Dinner is near and dear to SEPA Board members’ hearts,” explained Mary Anne Cunningham, SEPA VP and organizer of the event. “SEPA is able to accomplish a lot in Guatemala because of its many dedicated supporters, and hosting this evening of good food and friendship is one way we can say “Thanks for all you do!”