While the Hands for Peacemaking staff prepares to begin installing stoves today (Aug. 31) through Thursday in the Mayan village of Esperancita Yulmacap, we’d thought we’d devote this post to introducing each to you.
This is the entire team employed at the Aller Skills Center at Santa Cruz Barillas.
With the exception of Marco Tulio Maldonado, Hands for Peacemaking’s national director, everyone on the team works either full or part-time at the Aller Skill Center. Named for Dr. Leeon Aller, who founded Hands for Peacemaking, the ASC is the centerpiece of the foundation’s compound in Barillas. It is where all the stoves that will be installed in the village this week were manufactured.
The ASC underwent top-to-bottom cleaning and renovation work in recent weeks. A new, highly efficient new CNC plasma cutting machine was just installed and will greatly reduce the manufacturing time for stoves. This will allow the team to increase their output and supply even more villages with this badly needed item.
Everyone on the Aller Skill Center team will be in the village this week to do the stove installation work, along with temporary staff hired to do the cooking and cleaning. They will be joined by six village leaders who will assist each of the four stove teams throughout the four days. By the time you read this, the team will be on their way and may already be at work!
Communication with the team may be difficult while they are in the village due to limited power and cell phone coverage, but we will do our best to keep you informed as the work progresses.
Marco Tulio Maldonado, Hands for Peacemaking’s national director, has been with the organization for more than 17 years and until about two years ago lived in a small house on the Hands for Peacemaking campus in Barillas. He and his wife Mimi, along with their son Alan, now live in San Marcos but keep in close contact and visit often. Marco has the lead managerial responsibility for the organization in Guatemala as well as working closely with the executive director in Everett. Rumaldo Rios is the missions leader in Barillas. He has the overall responsibility of managing operations and preparing the villages for their projects. He lives with his family in Barillas.
Elvin Valasquez has been working for Hands for Peacemaking for 15 years, and is in charge of the Aller Skills Center. His job is to ensure quality control, and trains employees on how to make all products manufactured within the center.
Alex Castaneda has been with HFPM for 12 years. He assists Elvin and handles all types of tasks. This includes welding, metal bending, assembly, tile work, village preparation and working with the teams as they come to Barillas.Ernesto Castaneda is the newest employee of the Aller Skills Center, just joining two months ago and is learning the assorted trades. Walfter Merida has two years with the organization. He does welding, painting, tile assembly and other duties within the Aller Skills Center. Nery Samayoa has been with the Hands for Peacemaking Foundation for seven years and is employed full-time. He lives with his family at the Pilot House on the grounds of the Aller Skill Center. This is Elmer Castillo, who has been with Hands for Peacemaking for two years. His general assignments at the center include welding, stove assembly and tile work. Ardany Escobedo has been with the organization for three years. He does welding, assembly, tile work and other tasks as needed. This is Tomoteo Pascual, who has been with HFPM for three years. He works with the plasma cutter, welding, visiting groups, stove assembly and other jobs as needed. Roderico Samayoa has been with Hands for Peacemaking for 10 years. He currently works part-time but full time when work is available. His skill set includes welding, painting, working with the groups from the U.S. and stove assembly. The Aller Skill Center is named for the late Dr. Leeon Aller, a physician in Snohomish County, Washington, who founded the Hands for Peacemaking Foundation.
One thought on “Meet our stove installation team”
Thank you for the informative message about the whole operation of Hands for Peace Making Foundation and the Aller Skill Center.
Great Job!
God bless you all.
Thank you for the informative message about the whole operation of Hands for Peace Making Foundation and the Aller Skill Center.
Great Job!
God bless you all.