Sarahuaro. Our Story.
At the core of Sarahuaro is the belief in the power of education. Education will change the lives of mothers and their children - for generations to come.
What began in 2005 as simple classes in life skills and artisanal work grew into a life-changing program for women impacted by poverty. Sarahuaro programs have brought a new sense of self-worth to hundreds of women. Families, and thus the entire community, have benefited from the mother's heightened awareness of her own capabilities, preparation for meeting the extreme challenges of poverty and exposure to opportunities never before recognized.
The 2013 addition of La Cocina De Los Niños (The Children's Kitchen) expanded our reach by feeding children while they were in school. Hungry kids simply don't do well in school. Sarahuaro has provided hundreds of thousands of meals to children who would otherwise go hungry.
Like most mothers, the Sarahuaro women put their children first. It is out highest and utmost priority to feed impoverished children of the barrios. But Sarahuaro also recognizes that a mother has a lasting effect on her child and believes that education will change her, thus break the extreme cultural norms binding mother and child to poverty.
Our Team
Edith Vizcarra
Executive Director
Edith is the passionate and energetic Executive Director of Sarahuaro Foundation. She has a degree from the University of Massachusetts and is a certified teacher. She brings an extensive community service background - years of volunteering with the Mexican Agency for Family Development and teaching English to children and adults in school programs. Edith has three children and has lived in Los Cabos since 2015. She is a believer in the evolution of human consciousness and the ability of all people to rise up even in the most challenging of circumstances.
Maria del Carmen Sanchez Aguilar
Program Director
La Cocina De Los Niños (Kitchen)
Carmen has the responsibility of overseeing Sarahuaro’s Children’s Kitchen, feeding 350 children and leading a team of close to 20 volunteer mothers each and every school day. Carmen took over the program in 2015 after many years of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry where she received an award of distinction. She has lived in Los Cabos for more than 20 years and she says that feeding the children of Sarahuaro brings her a joy that is only rivalled by her experience as a mother to her own child.
Marco Guzman
Finance Director
Marco is responsible for safeguarding the foundation’s financial resources and ensuring compliance with all required tax and legal requirements. He oversees adherence to the strict financial controls set by the Board. Marco has a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration and Computer Systems with additional Finance studies. His experience in Project Administration and Multidisciplinary Work Groups Management in the construction field enhances his contribution. Originally from Mexico City, Marco and his family have resided in Los Cabos for over five years.
Sarahuaro understands that it is imperative to make the best use of the funds our investors provide. In support of this fundamental premise, we engage volunteers who are recognized experts in fields that directly relate to our programs. Our Advisory Board boasts of this in-depth expertise. We take it a step further by involving the entire community with the support of hands-on leadership from our Associate Board Members. Contact us if you have interest in sharing the Sarahuaro experience in this way.
- Sarahuaro Board, -
Board of Directors
Nancy Brelos
Chairwoman
A three-year resident of Los Cabos, Nancy spent most of her career in Rochester, New York. Prior to the most recent ten years engaged in the Geospatial Software Industry, Nancy held various General Management positions in the computer industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Business Administration from the State University of New York. While in Rochester, she participated on the Board of the local Sojourner House – a non-profit home for abused women and their children and was a significant financial contributor to that foundation. Now in retirement, Nancy wishes to bring her general management and non-profit organization experience to good use with Sarahuaro.
Jeffrey J. Smith
Member
Mr. Smith is a co-founder of DCBank and is the President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Smith is an entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in operating, financing, growing and managing large scale international financial services businesses. Mr. Smith was the President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and co-founder of DirectCash Payments Inc., a publicly traded financial services company with operations in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Mexico. Mr. Smith has extensive experience in business valuation, the public equity and debt capital markets. Mr. Smith has sourced, negotiated, financed and integrated numerous acquisitions in Canada and internationally. In 2013, Mr. Smith was honoured as Industry Person of the Year – Prepaid & Payments by Payments eXchange, and in 2005, he was the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Prairies Region).
Barbara Ruley
Member
Barbara's 30-years of vacationing in Cabo lead to her permanent residency in 2018. In Colorado, Barbara owned and managed five insurance companies that catered to Hispanic needs. Over the 20-years in this business they helped developed or continue to work with the women they served during this time. Barbara's earlier career utilized her Early Childhood Degree by teaching children with disabilites. Her very creative side was shown by her work as a professional photographer for the Denver post. Barbara brings extensive background in business, women's empowerment, and inspirational creativity to the Board.
Matt Potts
Member
Matt has had a 35 year career as a business process and digital transformation consultant. He’s consulted in project manager and business analytical roles with many companies and public safety organizations. His specialties are business processes improvement, data analysis and digital transformation. Today Matt keeps abreast of the latest technologies and trends, and continues to architect custom business solutions for strategic clients. Matt has also designed and manufactured patented footwear (with a wallet in the sole) under the brand name ArchPort TM. They were sold nationally through Brookstone, QVC and Hammacher Schlemmer catalogues. Matt now lives with his wife Lily in Cabo San Lucas. He joined the Board this year, and survives his father Erwin, founder of the Potts Kitchen.
Our Friends
With heartfelt gratitude, we acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of these benefactors who provide critical assistance and sponsorship that furthers our work for the women and children of Los Cabos.