NEWS
UPDATE FHMB 2025
FHMB continues to care for our Missions in Ecuador even though we cannot go in person due to crime and cartels.
Our Pasta Dinner Fundraiser on May 19, 2025 was a huge success because so many wonderful donors donated 90 scholarships for the students in Una Sola Fuerza at $250 per student. That is just amazing and we thank each and every one who contributed. Now, the scholarships were not the only awesome thing for the night. Sr Annie came up from Ecuador to meet everyone and was able to give thank-you notes from the children and families to those who sponsored a student in 2024! Sr Annie had so much fun, she asked if she can return in 2026. Oh, we raised $53,000 too. Click here to see our 2025 Annual Income Statement.
FHMB sponsored two smaller fundraisers at California Fish Grill. All we had to do on the specific date was say we were with FHMB and we received 25% of that day’s earnings. We hope to try a couple more restaurants in the future.
We know well that the money we send to Ecuador is used responsibly and for the projects we specify, as we are in close touch with both missions.
We have continued to support Sr Annie Credidio, BVM and Damien House in Guayaquil. In addition to the out-patients and the patients at the clinic, we support Damien House Medical Brigades. I will quote from their Fall 2025 Newsletter:
“The Damien House team continues to work tirelessly to reach the more than 200 people affected by Hansen’s disease who live outside of Guayaquil. Through medical brigades to different rural communities, patients maintain regular checkups with Dr Martinez, receive wound care, medications, and receive nutritional and hygiene kits. This outreach has been focused on the provinces of Loja and Los Rios.
In addition to general care, the team organizes specialized Medical brigades that provide consultations in different key areas. An ENT brigade was held as Hansen’s disease can affect organs such as the ears. With diabetes and kidney disease remaining major health concerns in Ecuador, a nephrology brigade was also organized. When needed, eye care is provided-including 11 cataract surgeries and other procedures resulting from a recent ophthalmology brigade. Most recently, a Hansen’s disease specific brigade was organized to provide greater education and offer free testing for family members of newly diagnosed individuals.”
FHMB has funded several of these brigades.
Damien House Medical Brigades
We continue also to work with Comunidad Una Sola Fuerza in Duran. Sisters Fanny and Gladys are also good stewards of the funds we send. We learn the names of students with scholarships, and know that they are given a snack at school and a meal kit sent home every school day. Children are weighed regularly to be sure they are eating enough and vitamins are provided as needed. If a child misses school, someone goes to the home to check on the child’s health.
Besides the school, the elderly receive food packages and homebound people are checked on regularly. Improvements are reported with a pre-school started, nutrition center expanded, offices provided for the psychologist, and an organic garden where the community is growing their own food. We also know that the sewing center is growing with classes graduating a couple time a year so the women with the new skills and certificate are getting jobs.
Fotos De Los Proyectos Humano-Espirtual. Fundacion Vida Digna
Duran-Ecuador
Plans for 2026:
Please join us for our annual Pasta Dinner on May 4th so we can keep helping. Doors open at 4:00 at Saint Brigid’s Parish Hall, and we’ll wrap up by 8:00.
Hope to see you there!
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT FOR FHMB! YOU ARE TRULY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE POOREST OF THE POOR!
In love and gratitude,
Betty Matteson, Katie Brown, and the Board of Directors of FHMB.
Board of Directors
Katie Brown Kathy MacCarthy Julie Mishleh
Mike MacCarthy Megan Rose Donovan Betty Matteson
Cindy Holm Margarita Garcia Deacon Patrick McCay
Inspired by the teaching of Jesus and the call to have a preferential love of the poor, Friends & Helpers of Madre Berenice was organized to provide help and support to the missionaries of Ecuador. Assistance is given by acquiring healthcare and educational supplies, clothing, and funds to supplement selected education and health services. Members witness to the love of God by visiting and getting to know and serve the people personally.
We are a charitable organization under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3)
Tax ID 20-8115700
FHMB, PO Box 9739, San Diego, CA 92169