We first partnered with the San Jose community members in the Spring of 2005 and started staying in the community in the Fall of 2005. So much has happened through our collaborative partnership. We believe community members and trip participants have both benefited greatly over the past 20 years. It is fairly easy to identify the number of projects completed, as the table below demonstrates. It is less easy to measure the impacts our project has had on the lives of those involved. For example, it is possible our cook stoves prevented disfiguring facial burns to a child who might have otherwise fallen into the traditional open fire, or helped a child avoid recurrent asthma attacks from daily smoke exposure in the kitchen. Maybe providing piped water saved enough time and calorie burn from not having to haul water up and down mountains 2-4 times a day for a child to avoid malnutrition and the increased health risks associated with that. The latrines we helped build and the water filters we introduced into the community probably helped reduce diarrheal disease. Doing so reduces suffering and possibly even death. The child whose life was saved now has a chance to make this world a better place.
The community members told us at our first meeting back in 2005 that education was so important and the best chance they had to get out of poverty. We listened and through a collaboration with the Unitarian Church of Rochester created a scholarship program that enables needy children to attend school beyond 6th grade. Some of our former scholars have done very well and are already making the world a better place. Other scholars may have struggled and been unable to complete their education but research has shown that the more education a person gets, the better their chances are to do well in life and raise a healthier family.
Our current solar electrification project for isolated homes is very much desired by hundreds of community members. Although it may be difficult to measure a direct health benefit from having lights at night and a charged cell phone, the quality of life can be improved. Maybe the solar project is allowing a child to do their homework after dark or possibly complete on-line homework because the cell phone has a charged battery. Maybe the lights help a child stay in school because they complete their assignments. Or maybe a person cooking a meal avoids a painful burn because they can see well enough to avoid touching a hot pot. The benefits of the solar project go well beyond what we imagine.
I feel so fortunate to be allowed by the people of San Jose to partner with them. I often say, those who come to “help” often get more back than the people being “helped”. Many of us coming from the US to visit San Jose were fortunate enough to have grown up in a place with much material wealth and opportunity. We find the experience in San Jose eye opening. We may not have fully realized how other humans live. Experiencing this reality helps us become better people. We may be more understanding of the challenges others face. The time spent in San Jose may help some of us work harder to combat the disparities present in this world. Some of the interventions learned by trip participants may have been applied to other areas in this world. We are changed by the San Jose project.
I believe our collaboration with the people of San Jose has made the world a better place. It may be difficult to measure the domino effects of our actions, but I believe the positive things accomplished in San Jose touch so many more lives than we realize. A sincere thanks goes out to everyone involved in this project. Let us hope our efforts continue far into the future.
Where it all started. Casimiro, a leader from Portillon presenting an agreement the people of Portillon and San Jose created to Doug and Jose Canario asking our group to partner with the Community of San Jose.
20th Anniversary Celebration in San Jose, 12/2/25
On December 2nd 2025 many San Jose residents came out to celebrate 20 years of collaboration. We had a wonderful time. The event started out with a slide show of photos from the past years. Next, the organizers, Roney Amaya and Melissa Rivera, reviewed the partnership. People then provided stories of how our efforts have touched their lives. Doug gave a history of how we came to partner with San Jose, what has been accomplished, and what we hope to accomplish in the future. After that it was all fun and games. Over 150 people enjoyed food prepared by Melissa and hard working local cooks. Consider viewing some of the photos and videos of the event here (leaving SJP web site and going to Google Photos).
Memories Through photos
Prior trip participants. We have compiled a list of people who have contributed their skills and passion to the San Jose Project. Visit the Trip Participants with Group Photos page.
Photos over the years. Revisit San Jose in Photos. These photos mainly focus on brigade members.
Community Photos over the years. This photo gallery mainly focuses on Community Members.
Update on Project Status (updated 12/04/2025)
| Project | Completed | Project | Completed |
| Cook stoves | 456 | Scholarships | 175+ students, 25 current scholars |
| Filters | 608 | Solar systems | 48 |
| Latrines | 204 | Fish farms | 6 |
| Pilas | 247 | Piped water systems | 5 communities |
| Heirloom seeds | >18,000 given | Barrels and gutters | >80 |