Our Story of Hope
It Began With a Prayer and a Question
In 2016, Oscar Orlando Aguilar Contreras was working high above at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. He watched fifteen to twenty workers with layoff notices walk past construction waste bins overflowing with discarded materials—enough to build several houses.
Oscar knew that it is normal at construction sites to layoff workers as the project comes to completion. He prayed for the workers as he saw them walk towards the parking lot. At one point in his prayer Oscar asked: “Lord, what are You doing for Your people?”
The answer came quietly: “I am always doing something for My people. The question is… what are you doing for My people?”
That question never left him. He could no longer ignore the conviction that God was asking something of him.
The Journey
What followed was not certainty. It was a journey.
- 2016 — The question at Mosaic Stadium
- 2018 — Reconnection with family in El Salvador
- 2019 — First extended visit to El Salvador; conversation with grandmother about fear and hope
- 2020 — Birthday celebrations in Sonsonate and San Salvador; the lesson about community participation
- 2020–2025 — Years of prayer, research, relationship-building, and vision-shaping
- 2026 — Legal incorporation, Founding Members Meeting, and the beginning of public work
The People Who Shaped Us
- A grandmother who never learned to read — She taught that dignity is not measured by education or wealth, and that faithfulness is found in ordinary acts of love no one else notices.
- A six-year-old son — He asked, “Dad, why are you littering?”—a child’s honesty that sparked a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
- A mother in El Salvador — Her restored relationship reopened a door that would change everything.
- Construction workers carrying layoff notices — They reminded us that people are always more important than projects.
- Communities in Sonsonate and San Salvador — They taught us that the best celebrations are the ones communities create themselves.
Our Values
- 🙏 Faith — We serve because we believe every person is created in the image of God.
- 👂 Humility — We listen before we speak. We learn before we lead.
- 🤝 Partnership — We don’t replace local leadership. We encourage it.
- 🌱 Stewardship — We care for people, resources, and creation with gratitude and responsibility.
Three Purposes. One Mission.
“We exist to serve people in ways that reflect the love of Christ.”
When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, He answered by speaking about love: love God with everything you have, and love your neighbour as yourself.
Everything we do flows from those two commandments. That is why we have three charitable purposes—not as separate programs, but as different expressions of one calling.
Faith
Rooted in Christian Service
Our foundation began with a simple conviction: faith should move us toward people in need. We support communities with prayer, encouragement, and hands-on outreach that reflects dignity, love, and lasting commitment.
Health
Caring for Whole Communities
We believe healthy communities are built through access, education, and trusted relationships, advancing health through publicly accessible physical activity and amateur athletic programs, along with related educational activities that promote healthy living, encourage active lifestyles, help families thrive, and strengthen local resilience.
Creation Care
Stewardship for Tomorrow
Environmental care is part of how we serve our neighbors. Through local initiatives and community participation, we help create cleaner, safer spaces that support wellbeing today and hope for the next generation.
Leadership and Team
Esperanza Foundation International is guided by people who care deeply about faith, service, and community transformation. Our team brings together leadership, outreach, program coordination, and volunteer support to serve with integrity and compassion.
Andrew Kenneth Ferguson
President – Canadian Director
Saul Stanley Alcantara
Vice President – Canadian Director
Oscar Orlando Aguilar Contreras
CEO – International Director
Carla Diane Contreras
Treasurer – Canada-El Salvador Liaison
★★★★★
“Esperanza Foundation International reminds us that real change happens when faith and service come together. Their work brings hope, practical help, and a sense of belonging to the communities they serve.”
Ana Morales
Community Partner
El Salvador Outreach Network
Join Us
Help Build Hope
Whether you give, volunteer, or share our mission, your support helps Esperanza Foundation International serve communities with faith, compassion, and action.