Mission: El Salvador

Driven to lessen poverty in Latin America, Valley classmates deliver aid

By JON MOFFETT

Vindicator Staff Writer

What started as one couple's ambition has turned into a class project for a group of Ursuline High School graduates.

Mike Jenkins, a member of Ursuline’s Class of 1958, and his wife, Suzie, do missionary work in the village of San Jose Villanueva, El Salvador. The village has about 10,000 inhabitants, many of whom live in homes made of cardboard, bamboo, adobe or tin.

But during a 50-year reunion in August 2008, Jenkins discussed his work with classmates, who were touched by his story. He and his wife live in the village.

“We all just happened to be at the same table at the reunion,” said Sally Perunko, 68, of Canfield. “We weren’t originally sitting there, but we gathered there and were talking. Mike was telling us what he was doing with his life, and it was like, ‘Whoa, that’s awesome. I wish we could do something like that.’”

Perunko and fellow classmate Rita Gontaruk, 69, of Boardman were so moved that the pair went to the village in April.

Inspired by the work being done — and what could be done — Gontaruk and Perunko organized a second trip to the village with other volunteers, who will leave Friday.

Seven people will travel in the group, three of whom are members of the class of 1958. Joining Gontaruk and Perunko are fellow classmate Ruthanne Grant, her husband, Paul, Rick Walker, Joseph Miles and Brian Corbin.

The group will bring school, medical and dental supplies and 134 pairs of gently worn shoes, all of which were donated from area churches and businesses.

The trip will be a lifelong dream come true, Gontaruk said.

“As a younger person, I always wanted to go away and do some mission work,” she said. “And at the time, my husband told me I’d go by myself. Well, he’s in heaven now, and I’m going by myself.”

The group was busy packing toothpaste, toothbrushes, notebooks, shoes and rosaries into duffel bags Monday night. Each person will bring a carry-on bag of the materials to save on shipping costs. All money collected is going toward the ultimate goal: a pickup truck to serve as the village ambulance.

Gontaruk and Perunko said Jenkins uses his personal car to transport villagers to the nearest hospital, which is about 30 miles away. Many of the roads would be deemed impassable in the United States, they said.

As fulfilling as the 12-day trip will be for Gontaruk, Perunko and the group, they said the time and materials donated will be even more beneficial to the villagers.

“Those people are so welcoming and so appreciative of even a smile from you,” Gontaruk said. “They just take everything in and they absorb it because they have nothing. So when people show an interest in them, they are so appreciative.”

Perunko took it a step further and said, “Just think about this, about them going down to the creek to get their water to eat or drink and then you go to take your shower. We have so many conveniences here.”

Gontaruk said she hopes their trip helps inspire other groups or individuals to help. She said donating money, time or energy to a cause is something that everyone should get involved in.

“It’s OK to help other people. Not only is it OK, it’s a good thing,” Gontaruk said. “From young people all the way up to older adults, this is really good. ... It’s kind of like a snowball effect.”

For more information on the trip, visit the class’s Web site at www.classcreator.com/Youngstown-Oh-Ursuline-1958/ and click on the El Salvador Mission link.