The Evolution of Amigos
When Francisco and Glennys Sabuco visited Peru in February 2010, they had no idea the trip would lead to developing a nonprofit organization. Francisco was a recently-retired water treatment operator and Glennys a special education teacher. They were visiting Francisco's family, whom he hadn't seen since 1994.
Francisco's sister, Maria, lives in San Ramon, in the beautiful province of Chanchamayo, gateway to the central jungle. She told Glennys about the San Manuelito School for children with severe disabilities, located in San Ramon. Glennys immediately wanted to see it and was deeply touched by the visit. It's the only school for children with disabilities in a large area. The children were out of school for their summer vacation (their seasons are opposite ours) and she was shocked by the lack of materials and supplies. The only wheelchair was made of bicycle wheels and a lawnchair seat.
Francisco and Glennys returned home and made plans to return. They've now been in Peru eight times in seven years, have realized that serving these children is their mission in retirement, and have added one other school and two early intervention infant-toddler programs. Their concept of what they are doing has evolved and continues to evolve as they add new programs and projects. This is what Glennys says:
The first trip, I was a tourist, meeting my husband's family for the first time. The second
time, I went as a special education teacher, deeply aware of the inequity of supplies and
resources in my classroom and the classrooms of the hardworking, passionate, amazing
teachers I met at San Manuelito, who have since become dear friends. And now this is our
mission, our calling, what we have to do, what we are blessed to be able to do.
We express deepest gratitude to everyone who has helped us; friends, family, co-workers, people we don't
even know. Muchas gracias, Amigos.
Francisco's sister, Maria, lives in San Ramon, in the beautiful province of Chanchamayo, gateway to the central jungle. She told Glennys about the San Manuelito School for children with severe disabilities, located in San Ramon. Glennys immediately wanted to see it and was deeply touched by the visit. It's the only school for children with disabilities in a large area. The children were out of school for their summer vacation (their seasons are opposite ours) and she was shocked by the lack of materials and supplies. The only wheelchair was made of bicycle wheels and a lawnchair seat.
Francisco and Glennys returned home and made plans to return. They've now been in Peru eight times in seven years, have realized that serving these children is their mission in retirement, and have added one other school and two early intervention infant-toddler programs. Their concept of what they are doing has evolved and continues to evolve as they add new programs and projects. This is what Glennys says:
The first trip, I was a tourist, meeting my husband's family for the first time. The second
time, I went as a special education teacher, deeply aware of the inequity of supplies and
resources in my classroom and the classrooms of the hardworking, passionate, amazing
teachers I met at San Manuelito, who have since become dear friends. And now this is our
mission, our calling, what we have to do, what we are blessed to be able to do.
We express deepest gratitude to everyone who has helped us; friends, family, co-workers, people we don't
even know. Muchas gracias, Amigos.
Who We Are
Francisco Sabuco – President, West Jordan, UT, native Peruvian, water treatment operator, retired
Glennys Sabuco – Secretary-Treasurer, West Jordan, UT, special education teacher, retired
Claudia Bauleth - Financial Secretary, Salt Lake City, UT,
Tim Sabuco – Board member, Hutto, TX, webmaster, creative consultant
Ariana Small - Board member, Nashville, TN, doctoral student, occupational therapy
Click on the names for more information
Francisco Sabuco – President, West Jordan, UT, native Peruvian, water treatment operator, retired
Glennys Sabuco – Secretary-Treasurer, West Jordan, UT, special education teacher, retired
Claudia Bauleth - Financial Secretary, Salt Lake City, UT,
Tim Sabuco – Board member, Hutto, TX, webmaster, creative consultant
Ariana Small - Board member, Nashville, TN, doctoral student, occupational therapy
Click on the names for more information