Mi Refugio ministers

Information may not be reliable

....because every child needs a safe place to be taught, to be fed and to be loved.

Mi Refugio ministers to the needs of "at risk" children living in and around the Guatemala City garbage dump and in the villages surrounding San Pedro, Sacatepequez.

Mi Refugio is a non denominational, Christian ministry which shares the love of Jesus by providing free education (pre-school through high school), food, clothing and medical assistance to these children.

Mi Refugio has been accredited by the Guatemalan government, and all of the teachers are graduates from Guatemalan schools with teaching credentials. Kari Engen is the Executive Director of the ministry, living full time in San Pedro Sacatepequez.

Mi Refugio is a faith ministry, trusting God for every need that they have. Many organizations and individuals support Mi Refugio with monthly, quarterly, annual and one time donations. Mi Refugio is a nonprofit corporation with tax exempt status (#52-1610744) in the USA. Contributions should be made out to Mi Refugio and mailed to 4908 Jasmine Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20853. Contributions from outside the USA should be by international money order, otherwise the bank service charges are exorbitant. Stock contributions are also welcome - call for details.

All contributions are banked in the USA and then transferred to Mi Refugio's account in Guatemala. A tax receipt is mailed. All administrative costs in the USA are donated, so 100% of your contributions go to work in Guatemala. The funds contributed are used to pay salaries of Guatemalan teachers, cooks, bus drivers and maintenance personnel; food for two meals and snacks daily; gas and electric utilities; school supplies and uniforms; vehicle costs; medical costs and scholarship costs for children going beyond high school. Kari receives no salary as a missionary. An annual financial statement is available upon request. Current monthly operating expenses are $20,000.00

Any correspondance should be sent to the Maryland address, as mail sent directly to Guatemala is frequently stolen.