This is the current list of priority project needs for the Anglican Diocese of N. Argentina. Projects are listed with the hope that short-term missions groups will take interest and plan visits to the diocese with the purpose of doing the work described. Groups are expected to pay the required expenses for any project they undertake.
1. Rebuild churches destoyed in 2006 flood - indigenous village project - $2,000.00 U.S. per church. Roughly 80% of the diocese is made up of indigenous churches. Lasty year's flood destroyed 10 indigenous church facilties in remote areas. The task of rebuilding these churches was begun last year but much work remains. Communities living close to the Pilcomayo River in the province of Formosa are often neglected due to their remote location and are more in need now than ever. Adventurous groups willing to embrace uncomfortable living conditions and hard work are needed not only for construction but also to encourage the local community.
2. Renovate diocesan conference center in La Caldera - urban project - $4,250.00 U.S. The diocese owns a multi-acre conference center in a town on the outskirts of Salta called La Caldera. The facility is used for youth camps, synods, and is also regularly rented to other churches. The facility's dual purpose of meeting the needs of the diocese and generating income makes it a very important asset. Once renovated, it is expected that the revenue earned through renting the facility will be ample to pay the salary of the diocesan bishop. This is a very important incentive, as the projected revenue would allow the diocese to be free from financial dependence on the Church of England, who currently pays the bishop's salary. The facility is currently in poor repair and in need of a four phase renovation, the first two phases of which can be undertaken by visiting short-term missions teams. The first phase includes erecting a fence with mesh wire and concrete posts around the perimeter of the property (400 linear meters). The fence is needed to keep animals and trespassers from causing damage on the grounds. Visiting teams who undertake this project will dig trenches, assist in pouring concrete, help set posts, etc. The second phase involves enlarging two of the dorms, constructing a new bathroom and repairing existing bathrooms, roof, floor and walls. A new coat of paint will complete the second phase. This project lends itself especially well to groups with families, as everyone can stay in the facility during the renovation. The total cost for phase I & 2 is U.S.$8,500.00. The diocese will match funds contributed by visiting teams, meaning that the total amount needed is U.S.$4,250.00.
3. Drill wells, install water pumps, plumbing, etc. for water wells in indigenous villages - indigenous village project - $4,000.00 U.S. Many remote indigenous villages which have been reached by the church are without basic necessities such as clean water and electricity. The lack of clean water is an especially serious problem, and one which we are attempting to remedy. We are trying to raise money to drill wells in locations where a lack of water is presenting serious health problems, even death. Once drilled, wells will need to be outfitted with pumps, plumbing, and water storage tanks. The installation of these items may be undertaken by an adventurous group willing to work and live in remote villages. The diocese owns a diesel powered drilling machine which needs repair before being used. Once repaired, the machine can be used to drill a number of wells. The repair cost of $1,000.00 U.S. is included in the above figure. Presently, the villages of Pozo Yacare and Pescado Negro, in the province of Formosa, have highest priority for receiving wells. The work desription for visiting teams includes clearing the land, assisting with drilling (requires 4 people), making electrical connections, building a structure to house several sinks, and installing plumbing. Professionals will be on hand to assist the team where necessary.
4. Renovate diocesan office in Juarez - urban project - $1,000.00 U.S. Juarez is located in the province of Formosa which borders Paraguay. It is one of the central locations of the diocese because of its proximity to a large number of indigenous churches. The town itself is home to three Anglican churches as well as a Christian radio station owned and operated by the diocese. The office of the auxiliary bishop of the diocese, +Mario Morino, is also in Juarez. This office needs a great deal of repairs, including work on the floors and ceiling, the installation of new lights, and a new coat of paint.
5. Expand church facility in Ciudad del Milagro - urban project - $500.00 U.S. The Anglican church in the urban Ciudad del Milagro is in need of expansion to accomodate the growing congregation. To date, an architect has completed plans for adding kitchen and bathroom facilities to the existing building, and work is ready to commense. A team willing to embrace the project is now needed. This church has an ideal location, as it is close to the university in Salta. A new deacon in the church has made it his goal to reach the local student community, making the need for expansion all the more urgent.
6. Complete seminary in Embarcacion - urban project Embarcacion is a town in the province of Salta and is a central point to much of the work done in the diocese. Due to its strategic location, a seminary is currently being constructed in the middle of town which will act as a hub of all the education centers in the diocese. This facility will be used to serve a number of educational needs, among them, the training of the next generation of Anglican pastors for the diocese. The new center is partially completed, but is still in need of some finishing work, including the installation of windows, painting, electrical work, and yard work.
7. Expand church facility in Pozo de Maza - indigenous village project Pozo de Maza is home to approximately 350 Wichi people, yet the Anglican church (shown below) is large enough to accommodate only about 40 of them. The facility needs to be enlarged and outfitted with pews. The current facility is limiting the impact the Church is having on the community. This is a project requiring extensive manual labor, but would be relatively inexpensive, as the building materials in this area are adobe bricks and mud.
8. Install plumbing for drinking water tank in Pozo de Maza - indigenous village project Pozo de Maza currently has a water well outfitted with an electric pump. Water is stored in a cistern which community members access. Installation of an above ground water tank and plumbing will allow water to be stored and fed via gravity feed through pipes to various locations in the village.
9. Build bigger church in Pozo Yacare - indigenous village project Pozo Yacare is a village of approximately 350 Wichi people in the province of Formosa. It is located on the bank of the Rio Bermejo and has moved several times throughout the years as the path of the river has changed. The church facility (shown below) is in need of expansion because it can currently hold only 50 or 60 people. A larger church facility would increase the amount of impact the Christians of Pozo Yacare could have on their community.
10. Complete second Anglican church facility in Embarcacion - urban project Embarcacion is a town in the Province of Salta which is a central point for much of the work in the diocese. Additionally, Embarcacion is home to a seminary currently being built to train the next generation of Anglican pastors. There is currently one Anglican church on the lot where the seminary is being built and construction for the second church has been underway. Finishing work is needed before the church can open.
11. Build a church on land in Formosa - urban project The province of Formosa is located in N. Argentina east of Salta. The Anglican church already ownsa plot of land in Formosa, but there is nothing built on it. A church needs to be built from the ground up to serve an urban community currently void of an Anglican church.
12. Renovate living facilities in Juarez for conference purposes - urban project - $5,000.00 U.S. The church facility which will be used for many of the conferences in Juarez, Formosa, has a large building on its premises (shown below) which could be used as a dorm if renovated. The roof needs serious repair, and the floor needs some work. $15,000 pesos or approx. $5,000 U.S. will cover the cost of this project.
13. Install new fence around cemetery in Mision Chaquena - indigenous village project Mision Chaquena is home to approximately 3,000 Wichi people and is probably the most developed of all the indigenous communities in N. Argentina. The cemetery was first built in the 1920's and is in need of some serious maintenence. The protective surrounding fence is falling apart and needs to be replaced in order to keep wandering animals from causing damage.
