HISTORY
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THE FOUNDERS
The spirit of philanthropy is rooted in the lives of Proyecto Compasion founders Gene Durfey and Dave Hansen. In their early days in Mexico, the pair would scrape up their loose change and venture down to Nogales, an Arizona-Sonora border-town, to give it freely to those in need; young mothers, small families, orphaned children standing, begging on the street corners. Hungry. Desperate.
Warm, thankful smiles spurred subsequent trips. American pocket change turned into meal after meal for hungry families and children in Northern Mexico. But with every visit came the discovery of more needs. More than a small family on a Nogales street corner, entire communities overcome with poverty. The pair became to branch out to small towns; Sasabe, La Ladrierra, Atil, Tubatama—the need seemed endless. Not just for food; clothes, blankets, school supplies, and spiritual needs.
Word circulated about the philanthropic duo, and generous contributions started filtering in from the Tucson community, along with the addition of the third member to the organization, Alan Kohl whose fluent Spanish and keen business sense served as a strong benefit to the giving efforts of the organization, now named Mission to the Children.
MISIÓN PARA LOS NIÑOS
With help from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), Mission to the Children expanded their audience to a national level. Generous contributors started sending clothes and blankets, school supplies and monetary contributions to aid the needy in Mexico. Trips south increased from bi-monthly to bi-weekly. Storage facilities would necessary to house the growing contributions. Mission to the Children was blessed. Families migrated to towns where the organization provided aid, not only to receive the food and clothing, but to hear the bible stories, told in Spanish, spreading the word of our loving Lord.
PROYECTO COMPASIÓN
Eventually the physical responsibilities of the organization started to weigh heavily on the trio. Political struggles pushed them away from the WELS organization, and they found new communities to aid which Mission to the Children hadn't yet been able to reach. Proyecto Compasion was founded in 2002 with the addition of Gene's son Kurtis Durfey. Mexican supporters brought Casa de Elizabeth Orphanage to the forefront of Proyecto's efforts—nearly 100 young orphaned children in need of food, security, and education.
Today, Proyecto Compasion has branched out to several communities and orphanages throughout Sonora. With the addition of the fifth board member, Roberto Salazar, Proyecto is working diligently to solicit monetary donations from generous contributors nation-wide to support the seemingly insatiable needs in Sonora, Mexico. With God's blessing and your help, Proyecto Compasion will continue to provide for these precious little children in need.
© 2008 Proyecto Compasión.