A Tale of Two Esperanzas

While often placed under the same “Esperanza” umbrella, Esperanza International (EI) and Fundación Esperanza de México (FEM), are two distinct organizations. There is often confusion about how these two “Esperanzas” are different and about how they interact. This topic is particularly relevant because current challenges are forcing a reevaluation of each organization and of their relationship with one another. I was fortunate enough to participate in a recent meeting of the Board of Directors for Esperanza International where the board was discussing that most fundamental cornerstone of any organization: the mission. What is it that EI does? How has this changed from previous roles? What should be EI’s relationship with FEM?

Before I elaborate on their discussion, let me provide some context. In order to determine where we are (and where we are going), we must start with where we came from. EI began in 1984 under the vision of three parishioners from the St. James Mission Circle Catholic community in Solana Beach, California (CA) United States of America (USA) who had previously volunteered to bring clothing and other materials from their community to donate to resource-poor communities in nearby Tijuana, Baja California (BC) México. Realizing that this donor-receiver model did not truly foster sustainable community development, they envisioned a relationship that would promote deeper improvements in the communities of Tijuana. In 1985, EI was formally established as a 501c3 organization in the USA dedicated to empowering the poor to help themselves by bridging existing needs with available resources.

This liberationist vision was carried out through the construction of homes for families in Tijuana, among other programs. As the home construction activities grew, in 1990 FEM, A.C. (“civil association”) was founded in México with the purpose of managing the construction and community organization activities on the Mexican side of the México-USA border. Meanwhile, on the USA side, EI continued to procure resources for the construction operations. In 1992, with the development of a patented construction technique that required fewer skilled workers, unskilled volunteer labor was more easily incorporated into the process. Volunteer groups organized by EI quickly increased in number and in 1999, “La Posada Esperanza” opened its doors to volunteers so that they might have a more permanent physical home during their stay in Tijuana. In addition to housing volunteers, La Posada hosts the FEM staff offices, the groundskeeper's home, the long-term volunteer apartment, a community center, a native plant garden (unique in Tijuana), and periodic events. Since these beginnings, thousands of volunteers have had the “Esperanza experience” and many continue to return year after year from diverse parts of the USA and of the world.

Image from construction of La Posada (February 1999).

The recent celebration of FEM’s 20th Anniversary was a time of reflection for the two Esperanzas. Despite the global economic downturn and a decreased number of volunteers, FEM built more homes last year than ever before, recently broke ground on a new intentional community of Esperanza-built homes, and is in the process of expanding their operations to the state of Oaxaca, México. On the US side of the border, EI has overcome significant challenges as well. Warnings of a swine flu epidemic, increased media coverage of drug cartel-related violence at the border, and a national economic recession, there was a predictable drop in the number of Esperanza volunteers. Yet despite these obstacles, EI successfully recruited new volunteer groups to join “Familia Esperanza” and is now ahead of where we were last year regarding the number of volunteer participants.

Time and time again, both FEM and EI have been able to transform a potentially precarious situation into growth possibility. This brings us to the Board meeting on a Friday evening at La Posada, in “la sala chica” (“the small room”). That evening, many sentiments were expressed about the current state of EI and its relationship with FEM. I heard questions like…

• “How can we strengthen our volunteer base to better resist the latest media coverage of border violence?”
• “How can we best support FEM’s growth to Oaxaca?”
• “Why can’t we find more sources of funding?”

These questions, among others, stirred emotions of doubt, division, and frustration. It was impressive, however, when this conversation moved from “history” to “opportunity.” Realizing that these issues centered on a clear definition of EI’s mission and specific objectives, the board began an energetic discussion that would last late into that Friday night and on to the next morning. To start us off, one by one, the board members and other invited guests shared their personal perspectives on the mission of EI as it related to the mission of “Esperanza” as a whole:

• “Investing in people.”
• “At this point, EI acts like a travel agency for FEM volunteers.”
• “Empowering individuals to have transformative experiences like the one I had.”
• “Volunteers continue to participate because of (1) the transformative experience and (2) the FEM staff.”

Somehow, the original 1985 mission of “empowering the poor to help themselves by bridging existing needs with available resources” no longer seemed appropriate. In fact, it was FEM’s specific mission “to promote the development of low-resource communities interested in elevating their quality of life through self-construction projects.” FEM was now the expert in liberating “the poor” on the ground in Tijuana and EI’s role had shifted towards cultivating the volunteer groups. The Board worked late into the night, wrestling with the fundamental question of “Who are we?” The next morning, we worked through a SWOT analysis, identifying the organizations strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. From this we moved on to take a stab at a single, unifying mission statement. Here’s what our work groups got for draft #1:

• To develop a global community of Citizens through personal relationships, mutual trust, and respect
• Creating Global Citizens by crossing borders, fostering human capacity building and hope.
• To promote the Development of individuals and groups ....

Not completely satisfied with the results, yet pressed for time, we suspended our discussion for the time being with the intention of reconvening in one month’s time to complete the process of more clearly defining the mission of Esperanza International.

Notes from the EI Board SWOT analysis.

This is where you come in. As a member of the Esperanza family, we want your input. In the coming weeks, you are welcome to check in on the Board’s progress and to submit your Mission Statement for Esperanza International directly to the Board!

Click here to submit your statement.

Your EI mission statement must…

• Express imminent need
• Motivate and Inspire
• Use proactive Verbs
• Be free of jargon
• Be convincing / easy to grasp
• Be short enough for anyone to repeat
• Express truth and purpose

It is said that within every crisis lies an opportunity. Now is your chance to get re-invigorated about the development of an organization that stays true to the fundamental values of trust, solidarity, and hope to carry it through some of the most difficult situations. You do not find an organization like “Esperanza” everywhere, and it is incumbent upon us, the Esperanza volunteer community, to hold up our end of the bargain in our partnership with FEM. Take the time to change a life, and be changed in the process.