|
Latest News on Lisa (all in PDFs)
Lisa Armstrong
Lisa is a registered nurse and the administrator of the Fellow Man International project. She founded the project in 2000 with the help of many generous donors including churches, Rotary clubs and interested individuals in the United States who believed that the greatest expression of love for one's fellow man is charitable work aimed toward self-sufficiency and development for the benefit of the poor. She represents the interests of both the Fellow Man International Foundation and the Honduran non-government organization Projimos Internacionalists.
The Dream
I first became familiar with Honduras in 1988 after having become acquainted with some very fine Latin American students who were working toward advanced degrees at Kansas State University. After a life-altering experience in Honduras, I returned home convinced that something had to be done for the many nameless, faceless people living beneath the shadow of an unbelievable oppressive poverty. I remember asking my Honduran friends what they would do if only they had the resources to change their country. They had many answers, but little hope that there would ever be sufficient financial assistance to make a real difference. I dedicate this work to the glory of God and pray that my dear Honduran friends might be pleased when they find I truly listened to their thoughts and ideas all those many years ago. This project is the realization of their dreams.
Autonomy
Only when the project is self-sufficient will the dream be fully realized. I was devastated to see a great "brain drain" among the best and brightest Honduras had to offer. Because of lack of living wages, opportunity and insecurity, many of those who could truly help their country were forced to find residence in other countries. It is my most cherished desire to provide competitive wages for qualified Honduran professionals that they might be afforded the opportunity to help their own people. This goal is an ambitious one, but with the help of the Fellow Man International Foundation, development projects such as Green Parrot Coffee and the cooperation of professionals within Honduras I believe it is possible. Above all things, my hope is to achieve self-sufficiency for the project. At such time, I will wave goodbye with much joy in my heart, leaving this work of God in the hands of those Honduran professionals who have the heart and vision to ensure the sick always have access to quality medical care and the hungry a bite of bread.
"What so ever you do to the least of these my brothers and sister, you did unto me."
FELLOW MAN INTERNATIONAL - FOUNDATION Marshall Stanton, President, Fellow Man International
January-2008
In December of 2007 the first financial campaign was launched by the Foundation. It focused on stabilizing the support of the Fellow Man International Mission in Honduras operated by Lisa Armstrong. The results are encouraging.
As of January 16, 2008, $42,418 has been received and is on hand to support the Mission. In addition pledges for 2008 are $16,805 for a total of $59,223 in cash and pledges. This effort has created the greatest commitments for the future the Mission has received in its nine-year
existence. The Mission has depended upon gifts received throughout the year from individuals and churches but the Mission did not know if and when gifts would be received.
The Foundation’s goal for generating support for the Mission was $125,000, or about $10,400 per month.
Determining the success of the campaign faces complications, because much support comes from individuals and churches that do not give through the Foundation. The Foundation is aware that contributions from churches of about $50,000 were received in 2007. There are yet other churches and individuals whose contributions have been significant but whose amounts aren’t so easily identified.
The Foundation believes that the financial campaign has achieved the following steps: generated firm commitments for the year with the greatest amount ever received in cash for starting the year; focused giving through the Foundation as the prime means for making contributions; made many people aware of the Foundation; created a process for
better information flow by e-communications and surface mail; and, made possible a means by which donors to the Foundation can be identified and appreciated for their support.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Fellow Man International Mission through their gifts and their prayers. Your support brings great encouragement to Lisa, whose work depends upon the compassionate giving of many persons. Support also makes possible the work of the Mission, which is reaching hundreds of persons each month.
|