Our Mission

Amistad, a word meaning friendship in Spanish, is a nonprofit public charity helping to fund several humanitarian, self-help, and education programs around the world. We are the rich and the poor who've joined hands to build self-sustaining, healthful, and economically viable communities.

Our Work

  • A diversified program providing Mexico's Huichol Indians with a flying medical/dental clinic, air ambulance, hot meals for students, village water systems, educational scholarships for Huichol youths, libraries, adult literacy programs, schools, and poultry production.

  • Dental and medical services in Mexico coordinated by volunteer dentists Peter Nelson and Alan Latta and physicians Richard Macias and Robert Latta.

  • Basic food packages and health/nutrition classes for Mexico's Tarahumara Indians, led by Jose and Pina Aragon and Elidia Walker.

  • Paula Leen's outreach to destitute in Zimbabwe including daily meals for children and women, an orphanage for AIDS orphans, agriculture and water projects.

  • Assistance for the Lambano Sanctuary and Katlehong Project for AIDS infants and toddlers in Kensington, Johannesburg, South Africa. Directed by founder, Melanie Streicher.

  • Assistance for NYALWODEP, a village for AIDS widows and orphans of the Luo tribe in Nyalgunga, Kenya. Founded by teacher/social worker, Alice Ouma, Luo tribe member and community organizer.

  • Assistance for Sweet Home Orphanage in Rusthumbada, Narsapur, W. G., Andhra Pradesh, India. Founded and operated by Mrs. Lilly Kaligithi.

  • Sponsorship of a primary school for untouchable caste children in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Founder, teacher and director, Rajan Kaur.

  • Sponsorship of Amri school in Kenya: a free elementary school founded and operated by Amri community members for AIDS orphans, children of Rwandan genocide victims, and other poor in the Amri community.

  • The Nairamdal (Friendship) Project in Mongolia: Providing hot meals and literacy classes for poor children, women's health classes, and small business startup funds for poor families and abandoned mothers. Volunteers Dr. Vesna Wallace and Mongolian social worker, Erdenceceg Bandi, coordinate projects.

  • Assistance for scholarships at Eco-Tourism Training Center in Khao Lak, Thailand. Founded by Reid Ridgeway in response to 2004 post-tsunami job training needs.

  • Wings of Knowledge Scholarship fund for Mexican students, sponsored by William and Betty Baxter's family and friends.

  • Assistance to other short-term projects around the world.