
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)
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 resilience.
Lorena was just a young teen when she first started picking through trash in the municipal landfill, near San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Not only did she gather recyclable materials to help earn income for her family, but she also began to create works of art.
“I began recycling materials such as fabric, wire, bottles, and other reusable objects that allowed me to generate an income. From these materials, I also made piñatas, paper decorations, and disposable bottle ornaments, which I sold,” she said.
“Later, when I started my own household and after the birth of my first daughter, I discovered an innate passion for sewing,” she said. With no prior training and motivated solely by the desire to create, she began making dresses for her daughter, perfecting her technique with each piece.


Lorena with a dress and doll dress that she made for the Shine A Light: Artist Showcase & Auction. Our alumni coordinator is modeling the dress and Luis, a Samaritan Scholar, painted the dresses.
Lorena has also made and sold curtains and cushions with recycled fabrics. She used to sew only by hand.
“Once, while selling on the street, a woman gave me an antique sewing machine that had belonged to her mother. That moment marked a turning point in my life,” she said. “Although I didn’t know how to use it, I observed it, tested it, and eventually made it my faithful work companion. Since then, I’ve made hand-painted dresses, special birthday gifts for my daughters, and outfits for school competitions, many of which have won first place.”

Lorena made clown costumes for the local International Samaritan staff and volunteers to wear on Children’s Day.
Lorena is the mother of three children. Her two daughters graduated with scholarship support, and her son is a Samaritan Scholar currently in school.
“I still go to the garbage dump to collect materials like nylon and plastic bottles,” she said, “which I reuse to make dresses and other creations. I make each garment and each repair with dedication, creativity, and love, finding in this craft not only a means of livelihood but also a source of pride and personal satisfaction.”
ONLINE NOW: Artist Showcase & Auction
On October 1, 2025, the Shine A Light: Artist Showcase & Auction kicked off with a showcase at the International Samaritan offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Attendees were able to see the works of art in person and start bidding online.
You can bid now! The art auction is live. Enjoy bidding, and then mark your calendars for October 9, 2025, when you can join us online to meet some of the artists and conclude the auction at a live webinar.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
1 p.m. EST
Register for the live conclusion of the auction:
https://live.zoho.com/omfl-


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.
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