Fundación Madre María Luisa Casar
Mother María Luisa Casar has made it her life calling to help and educate children who have been less fortunate. Her life's work has been dedicated to giving back to others, especially to younger generations. Almost 30 years ago, in a crude shanty with a couple of tables, she started teaching 9 kids how to read and write. Over time 9 kids became 30, and the word quickly spread through the community. Her restless spirit and perseverance triumphed, and over time she managed to open a small school called Jenaro Aguirre Elorriaga in a very marginalized Venezuelan slum. Through this institution she currently promotes and implements educational programs for the children, the community and their families. The initially small school is now a fully developed kindergarten and elementary school, with 400 kids.
Mother María Luisa’s congregation, Esclavas de Cristo Rey, runs my high school, Cristo Rey de Altamira. I still remember vividly, Mother María Luisa running in an out of our high school, fundraising, spreading the word and doing whatever necessary to get Jenaro Aguirre Elorriaga going. She used to run around in her nun habit, jump in her white 4x4 Jeep, and drive into the Venezuelans slums to spread her message of hope.
She continues to inspire me and many others, to pay it forward. Hence why this initiative, Trekking for Change, supports this amazing woman and her cause.