Our Origins (1964)

The history of the Home is deeply connected to the evangelizing mission of the Diocese of Manchester (New Hampshire, USA), present in Cartago since 1964. That year, at the request of Bishop José Gabriel Calderón Contreras, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Cartago, the Bishop of Manchester sent to the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help a missionary team called Manchester Mission, formed by priests and religious sisters from the La Merced community:

• Monsignor Thomas F. Duffy
• Fr. Eduardo Milne
• Sr. Paulina Chabot
• Sr. Sebastiana

In December 1964, lay collaborators joined and strengthened the work: spouses Alfredo and Irene Bergerbin, experts in associative and financial projects, and Shirley Brian, bacteriologist, and Carola Boeohle, nurse.

The Arrival of Clarita (1966)

In June 1966, professional nurse Claire Aimée Ange Aucoin, affectionately known as Clarita, was sent. She began serving in nutrition centers in Cartago and Santana created by the Parish to care for malnourished children. Seeing gastrointestinal and parasitic illnesses that hindered their recovery, she progressively transferred them to the house called Pope’s Volunteers for medical care. There, a small clinic with lab tests and consultations also operated, and the first Clarita’s children’s home was born, later moved to a larger and more suitable location at Calle 20 No. 6-35, in front of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.

Casa María (1980)

In 1980, after witnessing elderly and sick people abandoned in the streets, Clarita decided to offer them shelter and comprehensive protection, giving life to the work known as Casa María.

Legal Constitution (1998)

With the support of the Parish, the community of Cartago, and the Diocese, in 1998 the Good Samaritan Home Foundation (NIT 891.902.722-3) was legally established as a nonprofit organization, which continues to receive support from the Diocese of Manchester.

Today

Currently, the Home houses 90 elderly adults and 80 sick or disabled individuals, for a total of 170 people, accompanied by Clarita (now 94 years old) and a team of 17 staff members.

Our residents receive housing, clothing, food, medicines, and comprehensive health care, as well as special care completely free of charge. Above all, they receive the love and affection that our founder shares.

How is the Home sustained?

• Diocese of Manchester (NH, USA): supports staff salaries, utilities, and the payment of a significant historical energy debt.
• Audiofarma: provides a monthly contribution through a large market.
• Community of Cartago: offers constant and generous support.

We also receive volunteer support from professionals such as nurses, doctors, lawyers, accountants, economists, engineers, and educators.

Social Purpose

The Good Samaritan Home Foundation, inspired by the Gospel principle of Christian charity, has the following objectives:

• Provide housing and care services for elderly individuals.
• Provide housing and care services for people with physical and/or mental disabilities.
• Provide housing and care services for people who cannot care for themselves.
• Provide social assistance for children and adolescents.
• Provide social assistance for people facing social or personal difficulties.
• Undertake actions that benefit people in situations of social vulnerability.

Implementation of the Social Purpose

To fulfill its mission, the Foundation may:

• Organize its activities, enter into contracts or agreements, and associate with other nonprofit entities, nationally or internationally.
• Organize and support events that contribute to its mission.
• Support initiatives whose purposes align with those of the Foundation.
• Design financing and co-financing mechanisms and investments to sustain the Foundation.
• Develop programs for the comprehensive development of its beneficiaries.
• Carry out economic activities related to its purpose and acquire necessary assets.
• Carry out, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of others, alone or through consortia, temporary unions, or strategic alliances with civil society organizations or private sector entities (national or foreign), activities to design, implement, manage, coordinate, monitor, or evaluate plans, programs, or projects aimed at the well-being of its members and the community.