Who are Amigos?
Amigos de San Cristóbal, A.C., are local volunteers, Mexicans and expats, living in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas. We are a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization (NGO) that raises funds through community events, like our annual concert and flea market, as well as through private donations, and distributes those funds to proven nonprofit groups directly serving Chiapas' most disadvantaged people.
Chiapas is home to Mexico's second largest indigenous population. Many families lack basic human necessities. In their rural, agricultural villages, mud-floor homes often lack running water and sanitation; open indoor cooking fires provide the only source of heat and cause health problems for women and children. In towns, displaced and underprivileged families lack proper food, clothes and shelter. Often, children work to help provide for their families, so they cannot go to school.
Amigos’ Mission
Amigos de San Cristóbal, A.C. provides financial support to projects focused on improving the health, education and economic well-being of disadvantaged families and individuals. Proven, well-established projects pass an annual screening process to ensure that funds will go directly to these goals.
Our primary goals are:
- Maintain a policy of earmarking 95% to 100% of donations for approved projects by generating
an administrative budget
from membership dues and special fund-raising activities.
- Develop additional funding for greater community outreach and impact; and invite grant requests from a growing number of qualified NGOs and projects.
Where are Amigos?
San Cristóbal de Las Casas is nestled in the Jovel Valley, in a region known as the Highlands of Chiapas in Mexico's southernmost state. Founded in 1528, the Spanish colonial "royal city" now has over 100,000 residents and is the Chiapas highlands' commercial center.
Mayan villages dot the landscape in the pine mountains, green valleys and tropical jungles surrounding San Cristóbal. Each new day is welcomed in Spanish, Tsotsil, Tseltal, Zoque, Chol, Mam, Mocho, Lacandon, Tojolabal and Kanjobal, reflecting our diverse culture and traditions.
Chiapas is home to abundant Mayan archaeological sites, glorious 16th- and 17th-century churches and historic buildings, the soaring Sumidero Canyon, the mighty Grijalva River, several biospheres and thousands of square miles of virgin jungle. We take pride in the masterful weaving, embroidery and pottery-making skills of the local Maya, and in the culinary arts and musical traditions of Spanish descendants.
The Amigos de San Cristóbal Board of Directors 2011-2012
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Alison AbbottAlison was reelected to the Board and has served as Treasurer and Administrative Coordinator. Married to Enrique Arreguin Rodriguez, she has made San Cristóbal her home for nearly five years following a 35-year career as a primary school teacher in Chicago. Besides her work for Amigos, Alison has volunteered with other NGOs. |
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Adriana AguerreberreAdriana is a Marketing and Fund Raising consultant for nonprofit organizations. She has an MBA and a Masters Degree in Finance. Since moving to San Cristóbal two years ago she has led two projects for ECOSUR and managed a social development project for FORO, Forum for Sustainable Development. |
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Ann ConwayA native Californian and past resident of Colorado, Ann pursued three successful careers in education, Citigroup, and Peace Corps before moving to San Cristóbal one year ago. With Peace Corps she worked in projects related to education, health, and development. Ann and her husband John will open their bed-and-breakfast, La Joya Hotel, later this year. |
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Hileana Garcia LopezHileana was reelected to the Board and will serve as this year's President. She played a major role in the success of the Susana Harp concert in February, as well as the Flea Market fund-raiser in December. Hileana and her husband, Rodrigo Alfonzo, a former Amigos board member, are the owners of Kitsch & Bagels and the parents of Sofía, age 2. |
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Diane LivingstonDiane was President of the Amigos Board of Directors for 2010-2011, when it enjoyed a most productive year. Upon reelection to the Board she serves as Secretary and oversees the Amigos website and newsletter functions. Diane had a career as a forensic clinical psychologist and university professor before relocating to San Cristóbal six years ago. |
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Nicholas MillerNicholas is returning for a second year on the Amigos Board and will serve as Vice President. Nicholas was instrumental in the success of December's Flea Market fund raiser and February's Susana Harp benefit concert. Nicholas has lived in San Cristóbal for five years after a successful career selling Chinese art and antiques. |
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Alma Silva GutierrezAlma is the co-founder and president of Desarrollo Educativo Sueniños and is the first representative from an Amigos NGO partner to serve on the Board of Directors. A native of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Alma attended university in Austria, where she met her husband, Christian Szinicz. They are the proud parents of two children, ages 4 and 1½. |
Will you help?
Local membership dues cover Amigos' administrative costs, so we guarantee 95% or more of your gift goes directly to beneficiaries. They, in turn, are visited twice a year by an Amigos representative to ensure the projects funded by Amigos are being administrated properly.
Donations are tax-deductible in the United States and several other countries. The people we serve, those who benefit from your gift, will be forever grateful.
Visit our Donations page here—and thank you for your generosity!