The La Paz International Foundation
Mission & Vision
To help people in impoverished areas of the world live the lives they want to live through peace education, peace journeys, direct trade opportunities and offering micro-loans, grants and scholarships to those in need. In being an education based company, the philosophy of La Paz International Foundation is embedded in honoring the dignity of a
ll people despite age, race, religion, and cultural background. We advocate for a world where people:
Move from charity to justice . . . From ignorance to awareness . . . From hatred to understanding and peace . . . From Bigotry to Diversity
And from service to a true reciprocal sharing of one’s life
The La Paz (“Peace”) International Foundation was created by Anna Verhoye, a professor within the Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) system, who began taking college students and community members to justice-challenged countries, particularly in Central America, to learn first-hand about critical issues of poverty, environmental and economic justice and genocide and war crimes. Dr. Verhoye is a frequent lecturer on issues related to social justice issues, and has written on the subject extensively. Her effort was ultimately successful in obtaining grant support that allowed her to expand what she called a “Learning Through Serving” program. There are now between two and five journeys per year, each involving anywhere from 10 to 25 participants from Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania and as far away as France and Croatia. Destinations continue to involve Central America, particularly Guatemala, but the hope is to expand in the near future into countries such as Haiti, Tanzania, Thailand and India. La Paz International Foundation is not associated with MnSCU for many reasons, one of which is the current MnSCU funding environment. It is becoming increasingly difficult to fund the hoped-for expansion and continue to support indigenous and poverty-stricken people in obtaining their independence and to live lives freer of oppression and marginalization, so Anna established the Foundation as an independent 501(c)(3) organization to help raise the needed funds in October, 2013.
