Leo's Dream Memorial Fund

Leo's Dream was to facilitate the building of the New Casa Sana house. Unfortunately he passed away before his time.

PIURA, PIURA, PERU, September 26, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Leo Martin Cortez was a wonderful, loving friend, father and husband. With his position of Vice President of Casa Sana, he happily offered the majority of his time taking care of numerous children that looked to him as a father figure. Casa Sana is a non-profit that helps empower Peruvian teenagers to strive for their dreams. Leo's open heart has brought the organization to a loving, happy enviroment that is filled to the top with laughter and love with his guidance. I can say that Leo has uplifted and changed many lives and continues to after his death. Leo Martin Cortez died on September 19, 2016 of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Leo gave everything that he had and more to the people around him. Even when there was nothing left to give, he always gave you a smile. He exuded so much love. He would never ask for anything for himself but was constantly looking for help when it came to Casa Sana. Leo was always connecting us with the right people at the right time, always had Casa Sana on his mind and was constantly thinking of ways to improve the organization and current facility.

Leo was the most passionate one of the Casa Sana team regarding our new voluntourism venture - Thrive Peru Experience (TPE). TPE is a three day retreat where volunteers are fully immersed into the Peruvian Culture via Casa Sana. By the end of TPE, the participants have become part of the Casa Sana family through community service, sharing meals and contribution. Leo said "The most exciting part of TPE, besides creating countless jobs and providing funds to sustain Casa Sana, was that we are the bridge between cultures". This became evident when during one of the TPE's, the American teens and the Peruvian teens participated in a sing-off. Each took turns singing for the group, doing so despite the language barrier, showing that music and singing are the universal language. Not only did this experience bridge the gap between two cultures but it promoted self-confidence and empowerment for both groups of teens.

Leo was all about empowerment and so is Casa Sana. We are not part of the "Poverty Industry" a term used in the film "Poverty Inc". We empower our teens by providing gateways to higher education and through community service. We are creating Change Agents through leadership, empowerment, confidence and generosity. Leo was a great Change Agent, he embodied and taught our Casa Sana kids all of these qualities.

Leo had a degree in Industrial Engineering and was passionate about Architecture. He introduced two local Architectural Professors who are doing a lot of charity work in the area to Casa Sana. After our first meeting they agreed to draw up plans for our new facility free of charge! Leo was going to be the Supervisor of the build and was so excited to get started. We must move forward to make his dream a reality!

To honor Leo and his huge contribution to Casa Sana we would love to memorialize him by building a new Casa Sana house and dedicating the new facility to him. The current structure is old and literally crumbling. We need to demolish the current structure and build new.

We will build the Leo Cortez Casa Sana house which will include a Thrive Peru Experience wing, where the TPE participants will reside during the retreat.

Please help us continue to share Leo's spirit, laughter and love, I promise it will make a difference. A difference in your life by giving and a difference in the lives of the Casa Sana kids. Be the change you want to see in the World.......

IT ISN'T THE AMOUNT YOU GIVE, BUT HOW THE GIVING CHANGES YOU!


In memory of: Leoncio Martin Cortez Garcia / October 8, 1965 - September 19, 2016

https://www.gofundme.com/Leosdreammemorial

www.casasana.org

Madena Parsley
Casa Sana
360-281-6919
email us here