ANNUAL REPORT. ECHO-Cuba exists to:

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT 2007 ECHO-Cuba exists to: Respond to Humanitarian Needs Strengthen Communications & Civil Society Encourage Christian Education & The Church Make a Difference: Travel Missions Experience

2 From our Executive Director From Our Chairman of the Board For ECHO-Cuba, 2007 has been a year of rebuilding and preparation to move the organization to a higher level. The administrative reassessments stemmed from the specific recommendations made by our auditors. Internal reevaluations arose from recommendations made by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). The ECFA sets rigorous standards to ensure accountability to donors, professional competence, and Doctrinal accuracy. Their higher standard and purpose has aided ECHO -Cuba as we strive to serve the Lord in every aspect of His ministry. This year, ECHO-Cuba also successfully registered as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Our PVO status allows ECHO-Cuba to be positioned under the umbrella of governmental aid. It also positions ECHO-Cuba as a forerunner in collecting and distributing humanitarian aid in Cuba through USAID. It has been a year of evaluation, organization, and growth which God has used to bless the ministry tremendously in Our prayer is that Cuba may be filled with His Glory! In Christ, Dr. Teo A. Babun, Jr. President & Executive Director This past year has been a year of blessing for Echo-Cuba. We have seen amazing and divine things happen, both within our ministry and on the island of Cuba, especially in terms of spiritual growth. Even when times seemed difficult, God opened up doors, gave us the strength to continue, and encouraged us along the way. As a result, our staff and volunteers are excited and dedicated to serve God in this ministry, as He provides in so many ways. We have definitely learned to trust God in the things we cannot control, while asking for His wisdom and grace in our decisions. We have personally experienced the faithfulness of the Lord. The year 2007 has been a true testimony of what God can do when we place our faith and trust in Him in our everyday lives. We pray for His continued blessing on Echo-Cuba in 2008 as we continue his work on the Island. We encourage you to set aside time to pray for us once a month, requesting God s wisdom and discernment to join Him in His mission in Cuba. On behalf of our Echo-Cuba family, we pray that each one of your families have a safe, healthy and blessed In His Service, Frank Allcorn Frank Skip Allcorn Chairman of the board

3 Change began to brew in Cuba in Late last year around 70 Cuban youth were arrested and harassed for wearing white wristbands with the word Cambio (Change) stamped on them. These bands symbolized the youth s criticism that the recent Cuban elections were a farce. The world watched as the regime confined and harassed the diplomatic youth, then released them after the bullying was completed. Many of those wearing the Cambio wristband were college students hoping and praying for a new vision for their beloved country. Cambio is on the horizon, but will this change be a peaceful transition to democracy? On December 20th, Raul spoke of his brother to the Federation of University Students saying Fidel is irreplaceable, unless we replace him together, each one in his place. This statement seems to represent a succession, which would equal very little, if any, change. Cuba is in need of a transformation rather than succession. A democratic transformation would yield great benefits for Cubans in terms of freedom. ECHO-Cuba is working hard to provide the Cuban people with small freedoms through our programs. Our Micro-enterprise program allows Cubans to start small businesses with seed loans of about $300 which the loan recipients pay back within one year. This permits the small business owners to become self-sustaining and eventually experience financial freedom. Status of the Ministry Our programs are facilitated through Christian Churches, the only non-government institutions in the communist country. Unlike religious institutions in other countries in the world facing profound change, our Christian mission of compassion and cooperation reaches out to other denominations and faiths to promote harmony rather than discord. This allows our ministry the opportunity to impact change and help develop civil society. For ECHO-Cuba, 2007 has been a year of rebuilding and preparation as God moves the organization to a higher level. We have experienced a season of growth, organization, and re-structuring. It is our desire continue to strengthen and to develop as a cutting-edge ministry that creates and adapts ministry methods to meet human needs and to build and empower the Cuban Evangelical Christian Church. Now, more than ever, support of ECHO- Cuba is drastically important to help us continue to mobilize hearts for the Evangelical Church in Cuba. Regardless of the timeframe and outcome of the unavoidable changes in Cuba, we can be sure that our God, Creator of heaven and earth, is still among the Cuban people. For now we will pray, wait, then pray some more. ABOUT ECHO-Cuba Evangelical Christian Humanitarian Outreach for Cuba (ECHO-Cuba) is a 501-C- (3), cutting-edge ministry organized to provide help and services to the Evangelical Christian Church in Cuba. ECHO-Cuba s strategic work is accomplished with and through the national Christian leaders. ECHO-Cuba creates and adapts ministry methods to meet human needs. It supports micro-enterprises, business programs, Christian education, capital projects, social & human services, and humanitarian needs. Our efforts are nonpolitical. They focus on helping the people of Cuba regardless of ethnic, gender, political, or religious affiliation. All gifts and contributions are tax deductible. Ministry Vision: Building and empowering the Cuban Evangelical Christian Church, and uniting those who can help Cuban Christians who need help. Ministry Mission: ECHO-Cuba is a mission community of Christ-centered people committed to reaching the people of Cuba with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are strengthened by our compassion for the Evangelical Christian Church. We perform this mission through programs, which promote Christian education, capital projects, social & human services, humanitarian needs, agricultural entrepreneurship, and church organizational capacity.

4 Our New & Improved Website Educational Seminars One of ECHO-Cuba s improvements in 2007 was the updating of our website. Our new website is much more informative and easier to navigate. We added a photo slide-presentation, links to breaking news in Cuba, traveler testimonials, and much more. The pictures have been updated to show visitors what ECHO-Cuba is doing on the Island right now. Visitors are now able to view the latest photos of ministries ECHO-Cuba helps to support. These Proofs of Joy help to serve as a physical testimony to the ministry as well as a tool to motivate potential travelers to go to Cuba and see God working for themselves. Another novel feature of our website gives individuals interested in traveling to Cuba the opportunity to apply and receive trip information online. Not only does our website benefit travelers, it also allows prospective donors to view our financial statistics through our Accountability Memberships link. ECHO-Cuba is elated to have been approved by eight very different organizations in Two of these organizations, the Better Business Bureau and ECFA, are good housekeeping for ECHO-Cuba; our membership in ECFA proves that we use our resources according to Biblical Standards, and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance embraces ECHO-Cuba as a non-profit who upholds the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. The BBB s approval confirms ECHO-Cuba as responsible and worthy organization for future donors who may or may not share our faith. Danny Thomas of Harvest International hosted a presentation titled Politics and Religion in Cuba which dealt with the persecuted church in Cuba. More than 30 persons attended meetings which were conducted by ECHO-Cuba s Executive Director Dr. Teo A. Babun, Jr. Some of those in attendance expressed an interest in traveling to Cuba as medicine couriers and to support the programs of ECHO-Cuba on the Island. ECHO-Cuba firmly believes that through education on the Politics and Religion in Cuba we will be able to alleviate some of the oppression against the Cuban people. The attendees noted that they felt more informed about the restrictive conditions imposed upon those who live in the Island. Which in turn, lead many individuals at the meeting to look for ways to help their Cuban counterparts. We plan to continue these meetings throughout the state in order to clear up common misconceptions about Cuba. A similar meeting is being planned intampa Florida area in the near future. Please contact us if you are interested in hosting a meeting in your community and ECHO-Cuba would be happy to help in anyway we can.

5 OUR NEW APPROVALS! This year ECHO-Cuba had the privilege of becoming members of the organizations listed below. Each organization offers ECHO-Cuba accountability as well as specific opportunities to be linked with like-minded organizations in order to better help the disadvantaged in Cuba. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) seal is tangible evidence to donors that a ministry adheres to the highest standards that a ministry adheres to the highest to the highest standards of Christian ethics in financial accounting and reporting. The ECFA is comprised of over 950 charitable, religious and educational organizations which are qualified for tax-exempt, nonprofit status. ECFA s steadfast purpose is to enunciate, maintain and manifest a code of financial accountability, ethics and reporting which is consistent with enlightened and responsible Christian faith and practice. ECHO-Cuba has been honored with this seal of approval. Combined Federal Campaign The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. The CFC supports eligible nonprofit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. The Combined Federal Campaign is one of the most exclusive fund drives in the world and ECHO-Cuba is elated to be a part of their campaign. Hispanic United Fund HUF is a nonprofit federation that pre-screens and certifies high quality national charities working with the Hispanic/Latino community in the U.S. and around the world. Their purpose is to represent charities that meet the highest standards of public accountability and program effectiveness to prospective givers in fund drives conducted at work. ECHO-Cuba is thankful to be a part the HUF. The Independent Charities This seal of excellence recognizes the Best Charities in America based on the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. ECHO-Cuba has been honored with this seal of approval. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance Recognizes organizations that meet basic standards in how they govern their organization, in the ways they spend their money, in the truthfulness of their representations, and in their willingness to disclose basic information to the public. ECHO-Cuba has been recognized as meeting these standards developed by the Better Business Bureau. Kingsway Charities Listed as one of the 200 top charities by Forbes.com, Kingsway Charities supplies health care related products to needy communities and families in underprivileged foreign countries. Contributions received by ECHO-Cuba consist of medical supplies, including eyeglasses, surgical supplies, topical ointments, internal medications, and other pharmaceutical products. ECHO-Cuba is pleased to be a facilitator of these medical supplies to the disadvantaged in Cuba. Association of Evangelical Relief and Developmental Organizations (AERDO) AERDO represents a network of more than 50 of the major evangelical Christian relief and development agencies across North America. AERDO exists to promote excellence in professional practice; to foster networking, collaboration and information exchange; and to enable its membership to effectively support the Church in serving the poor and needy. ECHO-Cuba has been honored with this seal of membership. The U.S. Agency for International Development USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Their work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade; global health; and, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance. ECHO-Cuba meets all of the conditions for registration and is eligible to receive grants and cooperative agreements under the international private voluntary organizations (PVO) program.

6 Responding to Humanitarian Needs The heart of ECHO-Cuba s mission is to assuage the suffering of the disadvantaged in Cuba through the love of Christ. We partner with organizations and individuals to distribute humanitarian aid, and support programs that encourage longterm development and strengthen coping mechanisms. Our programs strategically serve the needy Cuban people who have no means by which to help themselves. ECHO-Cuba is making great strides on the Island. In 2007 we received approval from Kingsway Charities for free medicine and vitamins. This is a great blessing to our ministry because we are able to send these essential medicines and vitamins to the children, elderly, and handicapped Cuban provinces that would have never had prior access to these medicines. Because of the expansion of ECHO-Cuba, as well as our novel association with Kingsway Charities, the amount of aid we sent to the Island tripled from 2006 to 2007, we were able to send over 4,000 at -risk children nutrition supplements. Many times the elderly are a forgotten community, but are often the individuals who are in the most need, and are unable to provide for themselves. ECHO-Cuba provides meals, clothing, and hygienic necessities throughout the impoverished areas of Eastern Cuba. We work with over 100 training and operational facilities that distribute breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that food is always readily available. ECHO-Cuba s dream is for no one in Cuba to go to bed hungry. Strengthening Communities & Civil Society Proyecto Pescadores Teaching to fish ECHO-Cuba is thrilled with the success of our micro enterprise program, Proyecto Pescadores (Teaching to Fish Project). Proyecto Pescadores gives disadvantaged Cubans an opportunity for financial freedom. Through our microenterprise initiative individuals are loaned a seed amount of approximately $300. The loan recipients comprise a business strategy with long-term goals to ensure that their business will be self-sustaining. This program is unlike any other on the Island in that it gives Cubans a hand up rather than a hand out. The loan monies are usually returned in about a year and then that same $300 is recycled to another individual creating an echo effect throughout the impoverished towns in Cuba. The main goal of this project is to bring hope and financial stability to Cuban residents who have no means by which to support their families. The financial gain received from the small businesses who participate in the project is greatly appreciated by the business owners as well as the church community. These business owners receive personal satisfaction through this financial independence by being able to provide the basic needs for their families that go uncared for from the government. Below are just a few of the small businesses Proyecto Pescadores helped fund in 2007: Onion Sales Bici-taxi Service Animal Farming (ducks & hogs) for meat sales Peanut Farm Christian CD Distribution Jewelry (creations and sales)

7 Encouraging Christian Education & The Church Today, the many active pastors in established Cuban Protestant churches do not have formal theological education. Seminaries on the Island are attempting to educate new pastors and lay leaders but are unable to meet the demand. Without proper education, many untrained pastors and lay leaders become prey to false teachings, rivalry, and discord. Cuba already has a history of homogenizing Christianity and pagan religions into forms of worship like Santeria and Voodoo. Ending this legacy is one of ECHO-Cuba s objectives. ECHO-Cuba supports 17 seminaries with 425 fulltime and 1,888 part-time students. These seminaries have no more than 76 working computers combined. Some of the existing computers are more than seven years old, move slowly, and freeze up. When computers are this scarce, the impact of just one computer breaking down is devastating and replacement hardware is extremely difficult to obtain in Cuba. The Cuban government suspended the sale of computers, copiers, and any duplication equipment to the general Cuban population and private organizations in 2002 without special permits that, in reality, are impossible for independent churches to obtain. The Cuban Government does not allow us to ship computers to Cuba through commercial carriers. The computers we send get to the seminaries one-at-a time when a Non-Cuban citizen personally brings them in. That requires sending laptops as opposed to the more economical desktop units. This year alone ECHO-Cuba was able to move 15 laptop computers, one-by-one, into the hands of seminaries. Each computer ECHO-Cuba sends into the Island is downloaded with up to date resources like modern theological studies, Bible dictionaries, and Spanish/English versions of the Bible. We are able to do this legally because by Cuban law, the government no longer suppresses the availability of Bibles, commentaries, and other religious materials. But in reality there are many government hurdles that make transporting these materials to Cuba and distributing them throughout the island very difficult. Moreover, while Bibles are becoming plentiful, other Christian texts and theological information in books, pamphlets, or other media are virtually nonexistent. It is for this reason that ECHO-Cuba is so intent on getting accurate doctrinal information to Cuban seminary students in the laptop computers we send. Making a Difference: Travel Missions Experience ECHO-Cuba provides the structure and legal documents for mission trips to Cuba for the purpose of encouraging and assisting the Christian Church. Each traveler partners with us in this endeavor by donating humanitarian aid such as medicines and vitamins, which they take with them to the Cuban Churches. Travelers learn first hand about the situation and life in Cuba, meet various Christian ministries, observe ongoing mission programs and interact with Christian leaders working with local churches, children in need, the elderly, and the handicapped. The ministry expanded greatly in 2007, the ministry sent triple the amount of travelers compared with our 2006 numbers. Thus, the amount of aid also tripled! This allowed ECHO-Cuba to reach farther onto the Island and soften the blow of poverty in many rural communities. As the ministry grows, so does our call to help the hurting. With that in mind, this year our Missions Coordinator, Gretel Rodriguez, traveled to Cuba to meet with the churches and ministries in order to determine their needs so we could tailor our means and methods for sending both humanitarian aid and travelers to the Island. Gretel conducted program reviews and welcomed new, strategic curriculum to aid in making our travel program more effective and efficient.

8 Throughout the year, our travelers have shared their experiences in the Island with us. We have heard from many individuals about the ups and downs of travel to the communist country. Below are excepts from two of the testimonials ECHO-Cuba received this year: Traveler Testimonial #1 My guide took me to an elderly home, and explained to me that although this home was illegal the government was allowing it to continue because they realized this home was providing physical care for the elderly in a way they never could. We drove down a street that was more dirty, destroyed, and depressing than any I had seen that day, and parked. As we walked up to a building with no door or windows, I noticed they were praying. The entire staff was gathered, and although I could only hear bits and pieces of their prayers, I knew the Spirit of the Lord was present. There was a sense of urgency and desperation as they were praying, and from the situation they were in, it wasn t hard to see why. The director told us that he had 70 elderly people being cared for at the moment, some in full time care, and some in part time. He said, the reason for the construction was because they had a waiting list of 80. I couldn t help but think: if these are the conditions of those blessed enough to remain in La Casona; what are the living conditions for the 80 on the wait list? The Christians in Cuba are living by faith, day to day faith. The I-don t-knowwhere-my-next-dollar-is-coming-from kind of faith. Faith that hopes for the unseen and the humanly impossible. The Christians in Cuba believe in a God of Miracles, and I was honored to be a part of one such miracle to an elderly home in Cuba. -VF Traveler Testimonial #2 The Travel Missions Experience: Traveler Testimonials We had a GREAT trip. There were no problems entering Cuba. Two of us were pulled aside for inspection of baggage but after they looked through the bags, we were told pass. We were treated with a higher level of courtesy than I've seen before and the entire process only took about 30 minutes. We delivered several thousand doses of antibiotics as well as funding to help several programs. A friend of mine gave a special gift in memory of my late, beloved wife so that the breakfast program for children in the town of Alacranes would be fully funded for the next 6 months. We provided funding for a church planter in Havana, money for New Pines Seminar, a children's ministry in Varadero, paid for a roof for a widow in Havana, paid for church camp in April for a youth group from a church in Varadero, gave money to churches on the Island of Youth and sent funding to a new church plant in Baracoa. God blessed us with good health, a good driver and a safe vehicle. This trip was special for me for many reasons. It was the first time my Cuban family was able to sit down beside me and grieve with me after the death of my wife. Their ministry in my life was profound and I am grateful for their love for me and prayers on my behalf. Thanks to ECHO for helping to make this trip a reality for us. -Pepe

9 Financial Statement Below is ECHO-Cuba s Financial Statement for the year You will find all of our expenses listed in their respective categories. We hope this reference serves as a helpful tool when considering your future gifts.

10 Direct Project Budget Expenses Responding to Humanitarian Needs $88,000 Operations Direct in Cuba (9%): Reimbursement of expenses to representatives in Havana and Santiago managing programs and network of 600 churches and seven seminaries. Social and Human Initiatives Direct Operations in Cuba Humanitarian Aid-Direct Cuba (68%): Distribution of humanitarian aid, and supporting humanitarian aid programs that encourage long-term development and that strengthen coping mechanisms. Social & Human Initiatives (11%): Ongoing mission programs and interaction with Christian leaders working with local churches, children in need, the elderly, and the handicapped. Humanitarian Aid Direct Assistance to Pastors (6%): Providing assistance to visiting Cuban Pastors Missionaries Direct Expense (6%): Support for missionaries who help manage ECHO- Cuba s programs. Strengthening Communities and Civil Society $28,000 Microenterprise-Micro-Loans (Proyecto Pescadores) (71%): Development of local micro enterprise programs we assist Christian churches and individuals create independent enterprises. Organizational Capacity Church Organizational Capacity and Training (29%): Bring the Cuban Protestant leaders together to help equip them to understand modern theological teaching methods to become better qualified to train others, and to create a thriving new Church Community. Microenterprise Encouraging Christian Education and The Church $27,500 Religious Materials-Direct to Cuba (18%): Provide bibles, devotionals, capacity & ministering materials including Sunday School materials for children. Laptop to Seminaries Program (55%): Laptop computers with complete Christian software to seven seminaries throughout Cuba. Christian Education to Others (15%): Provide assistance and facilitate educational opportunities, and enhance knowledge at various levels to evangelical Christian churches and organizations in Cuba. Vision for Christian Cuba Initiative (4%): Assistance to other US organizations to help impact Cuba. Church Seminars-Domestic (9%): Assistance in US churches to help understand the reality of Cuba. Church Seminars Christian Ed. Group Trips Religious Materials Laptops to Seminaries Making a Difference: The Travel Missions Experience $73,000 Medicine Couriers Program (59%): Facilitating travelers to bring humanitarian aid to churches. Explore Group Trips (41%): Learn firsthand about the situation and life in Cuba, and observe ongoing mission programs. Bringing humanitarian aid to network help organizations. Medicine Couriers

11 Board of Directors: Frank Skip Allcorn President of Coastal Construction Products, Inc Dr. Teo A. Babun Jr. President of ECHO-Cuba Richard A. Dearolf Vice President, University of South Florida José M. García President Cargo Express International Roney J. Mateu President of Mateu Architecture, Inc. Dr. Kenneth Smith Senior Pastor of Princeton Presbyterian Church Danny Thomas President of Harvest International, Inc. Dr. Paul R. Williams, M.D. President, International Healthcare Network Dr. Cornelius Hegeman Vice President, Miami International Seminary Staff: Dr. Teo A. Babun, Jr. Executive Director Vanessa Fernandez Office/Travel Manager Jessica E. Pineda Communiations/Development Coordinator Gretel Rodriguez Missions Coordinator Paola Perez Group Trip Coordinator Mallory Aviles Travel Department Orlando Rodriguez Front Desk Patricia Ramos Accounting Dr. Marcos A. Ramos President, Centro-Religion de las Americas ECHO-Cuba is grateful for all the foundations that have worked with us to assuage human suffering on the Island. We would like to offer a special thanks to the following organizations for their financial contributions: The Festus & Helen Stacy Foundation The Harry Parsons Crowell and Susan Coleman Trust The Chatlos Foundation The Mustard Seed Foundation The Monterey Fund The Samuel E. and Mary W. Thatcher Foundation Mateu Architecture Inc. Costal Construction The Tyndale House Foundation

12 5465 Northwest 36th Street Miami Springs, FL TEL: FAX