About Us
Fundación Sueños
The history of Fundacion Sueños begins in May of 2000 when missionaries, Rafael and Sonia Rosales, returned to El Salvador after a year-long sabbatical and training with Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.
However, the heart and vision for serving the impoverished populations of El Salvador began many years before.
Our Mission
Fundacion Sueños exists as a Christian advocate for children in the village of El Sunza and Las Brisas to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.
Our Roots
During the Salvadoran Civil War, Rafael was kidnapped by war guerillas while trying to find medicine for his two year old son, Rafael Jr. He was driven to a remote location, blindfolded, hands bound and stripped of his clothing while the guerillas threatened to shoot him if he tried to escape. When the guerillas arrived at their desired location, they fled the van and set it on fire.
Faced with certain death if he were to remain in the car, he chose to risk escaping and managed to open a passenger door. He was found and cared for by a local woman until Rafael’s wife, Sonia, could be reached. He suffered from severe burns on his arms, legs, and stomach. After a lengthy hospital stay and recovery, the Rosales family was granted refugee status and moved to Ontario, Canada.
From 1990-1997, the Rosales Family made Canada their home. Their time there could be described as one very long winter. The need to learn a new language and assimilate to a new culture, while recovering from the trauma of the last year brought many challenges. Rafael and Sonia knew it was vital to build community in their new home. He continued to preach and sought out other Latino families, many of whom kept in touch with Rafael until his death in 2020. Perhaps the greatest lesson of those seven years in Canada is that joy can be found in the midst of trials. The greatest of joys for Rafael and Sonia was the birth of their daughter, Sandra, in 1991.
Our Impact
Throughout the 20 years of the foundation’s existence, much has been accomplished. In its early years, over 120 children were part of a monthly sponsorship program that provided monthly food packs, medical assistance, and educational support. We celebrated many high school graduations and two college graduations. Fundacion Suenos became a reliable presence in the community of El Sunza through weekly church services and children’s programs.
Two churches were planted between 2006 and 2012. The foundation regularly partnered with churches from the United States to organize mission trips that provided additional medical, dental, and construction support as well as vacation bible school programs for children. As the needs of the community evolved and children grew, gang prevention became the focus of the foundation through targeted outreach and relationship cultivation.
Most recently, the foundation has identified 30 families in El Sunza and Las Brisas for their new outreach program. By providing food staples, medical care, and educational assistance the foundation strives to end generational poverty and disciple our brothers and sisters in Christ.