WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT US
- International Samaritan’s Auction Shines a Light on Artists Who Have Relied on Garbage Dumps to Survive (October 2025)
- Kiteezi Samaritan Seeks Support to Complete Life Center (September 2025)
- Empowering Future Leaders Through Workforce Education: The International Samaritan Approach (May 2025)
- Detroit’s Dan Weingartz Receives Dealmaker of the Year Award (April 2025)
- Announcing the Detroit Smart Business Dealmaker Award Winners and 2025 Dealmakers Hall of Fame Class (April 2025)
- Honors Students Continue 10-Year Partnership with International Samaritan (March 2025)
- Detroit Catholic High School Students Spend Their Winter Break Learning and Serving with International Samaritan (February 2025)
- High School Boys and a Priest from Toledo Founded International Samaritan, a Nonprofit that is Thriving 30 Years Later (August 2024)
- Kiteezi Samaritan provides relief aid to landslide victims (August 2024)
International Samaritan’s Relief Efforts to Help Uganda’s Kiteezi Dumpsite Landslide Disaster Victims (August 2024) - International Samaritan Opens Family Life Center in Honduras (June 2024)
- New International Samaritan partnership takes Trinity Health doctors and residents to Ethiopia (February 2024)
- News Wire: New International Samaritan partnership takes Trinity Health doctors and residents to Ethiopia (February 2024)
- Weingartz Foundation Gives $2.2M to Aid International Samaritan’s African Mission (May 2023)
- With Local Nonprofit’s Help, Honduran Community Will Have Clean Drinking Water (March 2023)
- Former University of Michigan Athletic Director Gives $100,000 Gift for Honduran Water System (February 2023)
-
University of Toledo students help fight extreme poverty by fasting Friday (February 2020)
- St. John’s Students Reflect on Volunteering in Guatemala (October 2019)
- LIVE at Saint Mary Student Parish (April 2019)
- Interview on Ave Maria Radio (April 2019)
- $2 Day at The Nest (April 2019)
- International Samaritan hires Tenbusch as new president (November 2018)
- International Samaritan Announces “Be a Samaritan Day” (July 2018)
- Ann Arbor’s International Samaritan organization declares July 31 “Be a Samaritan Day” (July 2018)
- Marian students provide aid in Guatemala and Nicaragua (March 2015)
- Karen Pulte honored for contribution to International Samaritan (October 2014)
- International Samaritan granted consultative status by U.N. (September 2011)
By the Grace of God
Earlier this month, we welcomed students and teachers from Regis Jesuit High School, located in Denver, Colorado, to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The group was greeted with great love and joy by the scholarship program families, team, and community. Meeting in person was an emotional moment for us all after previously only seeing each other through video calls.
We did many special activities with the scholars and students from Regis, including visiting the Richard Flasck Health Center, passing out food baskets, and delivering food and water to people working at the municipal landfill. We also worked on renovating the classroom at the San Ignacio de Loyola daycare center.
One of our highly anticipated days was when one of our scholarship students, José Gilson, took time off from work to help us with service projects. Gilson has a technical degree in refrigeration and is also completing a technical degree in electricity this year, two areas that complement each other very well, improving his job opportunities.
International Samaritan scholars, community members, and the group from Regis Jesuit High School cooked food to distribute to people at the dumpsite. They also helped at a daycare center and assisted one of our scholars in installing air conditioning.
With great enthusiasm, Gilson installed the air conditioning in the International Samaritan program space at the daycare center. During the installation, he was accompanied by Regis students who supported him and observed the process as part of their practical learning. Other groups were in charge of cleaning and organizing the daycare center.
Additionally, one of the teams went to support one of our scholarship program graduates, Anthony, with the installation of his barbershop floor, helping with the cement, hauling sand, and other tasks.
Since Gilson was with us, he also helped with the installation of air conditioning in the barbershop area, an important need for Anthony. Gilson performed both installations completely free of charge, as a token of gratitude to the scholarship program for all the support he has received over the years.
While on a lunch break, Gilson shared his life story with the students from Regis, along with his achievements and how he has grown with the support of the program.
“I am one of those young people who, as a child, spent time at the municipal dump to earn an income and help their families,” Gilson said.
José Gilson (left) when he joined the scholarship program in seventh grade. Now, Gilson has a technical degree in refrigeration and is completing a technical degree in electricity, which will provide him with good job opportunities.
He used to accompany his father and brother to the dumpsite, bringing home plastic bottles to sell and also bags of food scraps that he’d sell to a local pig farmer. In seventh grade, Gilson became a Samaritan Scholar. He received support so he could stay in school and study for a career.
“By the grace of God, I am one of those young people who was able to leave the dump,” he said. “You truly change lives, because mine and my family’s have changed significantly since International Samaritan has supported me.”
After hearing Gilson’s story, some Regis students continued helping Gilson at the barbershop, while others organized to clean up the daycare center. Before ending the day, some students took the opportunity to get haircuts from Anthony.
It was a truly fulfilling and hopeful day!
At the end of the service day, some students took the opportunity to get haircuts from our Samaritan Scholar graduate, Anthony.
International Samaritan is a Christ-centered organization built on Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission is to walk hand-in-hand with people who live and work in the garbage dumps of developing nations to help them break out of poverty.
We provide holistic scholarships for students from kindergarten through college, and we’re currently supporting nearly 1,000 scholars in Central America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.
Would your church or school group like to partner and travel with us? Learn about our Learn, Serve, Grow program.
Empower our scholars to change their lives. Become a monthly supporter.
Erika Cuevas, Program Director
Erika has a degree in Management and Social Development. She has been working with International Samaritan since 2016 and before that she worked with at-risk children and youth for thirteen years. Her work consistently focuses on eradicating child labor in the municipal garbage dumps.
By the Grace of God
Earlier this month, we welcomed students and teachers from Regis Jesuit High School, located in Denver, Colorado, to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The...
What We Share
For my Good Samaritan, Charlene, volunteering is not just a duty; it is a passion. She finds joy in giving, and that joy is contagious. Charlene...
When Dreams and Art Collide
For César, art isn't just a talent; it's a refuge. As he studies and plans for a life out of poverty, painting allows him to release emotions, heal,...
Works of Beauty and Hope
Lorena is one of the artists featured in the Shine A Light: Artist Showcase & Auction. Her story showcases her talent and creative...
When Art Builds Friendship
Friendships in every school often begin in small, unexpected ways. For some, connections spark on the football field, while for others, they arise...
Don’t Grow Weary
“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” I’m writing this morning to encourage the Body...
My Good Samaritan Changed My Path
As a teacher, enclosed in the four walls of a staffroom, I always dreamt of working for the community. I didn’t have any plans on how, but I kept...
A Light On My Path
I met my Good Samaritan in 2016, when we were in 8th grade. Just like the Good Samaritan who didn't pass by the wounded man, Marcela never turns...
Who Was Your Good Samaritan?
Did you know that International Samaritan Day is going to be celebrated every October 25, starting this year? It’s true, and we just invented it,...

