Libano, Colombia
Additional Projects and Locations

Fr. Cooper is pastor of San Vicente de Paúl Parish. His many activities include a ministerial team and social outreach programs. Fr. Pedro is rector of Colegio San Antonio María Claret, a school that provides Catholic primary and secondary education to local children.

Fr. Brian Cooper, CSV baptizing one of the newest members of San Vincente de Pablo San Vicente de Paúl Parish San Vicente de Paúl parish provides the central place for people to pray together and to build a better life for themselves. Fr. Cooper conducts liturgies, oversees the religious education program for the children and coordinates social programs that include a housing construction, coffee project, educational, and food delivery.

	Coffee Project Although Libano is located in one of the main coffee growing regions in Colombia, the rate of unemployment is over 50%. The local farmers grow the coffee beans and then pick, wash and dry them for processing in other parts of Colombia.
A newly baptized child with her proud father	Viatorian Center Fr. Brian established a foundation, Fundación Centro Viatoriano, to manage a locally owned coffee processing program. With a matching grant from the Rotary Clubs of Mission Veijo, CA; Yorba Linda Sunrise, CA Libano Club and District 5320 of California, the foundation purchased machines for husking, drying, and grinding the coffee beans. Other equipment includes ventilation silos, lab equipment and a packing system complete with printed bags. The equipment arrived in October, 2006 and production began the next month. At the beginning of the project, the project had one employee, now it has five. The profits are used to help fund the construction costs for the new homes, improve the local schools, and fund the school lunch program.
	Food Delivery Programs Food Packages The program provides 110 food packages each month to very needy families who include those headed by single mothers with small children and the elderly who are without the support of their children. Each family purchases the food package for about 45 cents and receives approximately 7 dollars worth of groceries. Powered Milk Program Currently the parish provides a bag of powered milk each month to 150 families with small children. The families purchase the bag for about 25 cents and receive the equivalent of 5 dollars worth of milk. The program helps to provide much need nutrition to the small children of Libano.

Colegio San Antonio de Claret School
Colegio San Antonio de Claret has an enrollment of 250 students, and the majority of the students live in poverty. Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV is the rector of the school, and he is leading a very dedicated group of parents and teachers to ensure a sound education for the children.

The building is old and in need of repair. Several support beams for the roofs are rusting, and the concrete holding them is flaking. Much of the classroom furniture is donated and is fitted for elementary school children. Many students are teenagers and find them very uncomfortable. The computer system is dated and needs to be replaced.

All families pay tuition for their children. The tuition is $400 per year and is very difficult for many families, especially for those who are unemployed. For those who are employed, the average annual income is $2,800.