Local couple founded Aura Humanitus to bring 'Heavenly Kindness' to those in poverty

Coquitlam realtor Mike Rasmussen and his wife Angelique, a teacher at St. Patrick's elementary in Maple Ridge, teamed up in 2005 with Project F.I.A.T. International, a volunteer program of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which helps the desperately poor in the tropical jungles of El Salvador.

Twice a year the Rasmussens travel to the missions near San Salvador to bring relief through their registered B.C. society Aura Humanitus (Heavenly Kindness).

To date the charitable outreach has built a children's library and resource centre, and a medical clinic in the village of Las Delicias which is staffed by doctors from the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC).

Aura Humanitus was also behind Angel Mia, a daycare facility built in memory of the 2-year-old daughter of Vancouver mortgage broker Angie Nonis, who herself raised $40,000 for the project.

When torrential rain pounded El Salvador last fall, Mike moved up a trip planned for Christmas to assess the damage. Roads, he reported, had been washed out by flooding and mudslides, and the village library had been turned into an emergency shelter.

"I had trouble getting a vehicle, and in the end, hiking was the only way to get to a family of 15 who had lost their sheet-metal house and were living in a small garden shed. We had to climb up a steep slope of volcanic rock in sweltering heat but we stopped frequently so I could take photos.

"The family were in a plastic shack and badly needed corrugated sheet metal panels to rebuild. They had lost all their personal effects. We agreed to fund the new materials. They were overwhelmed at the news they would soon have a house again."

A few years ago the Rasmussens promised God that, if their young son survived a potentially life-threatening disease, they would dedicate themselves to bringing relief to those whose lives had not been as blessed as their own.

The couple were invited by the Handmaids' mission director Sister Gloria Petrone, ACJ, to visit Salvadoran villages. Soon they were back home collecting footwear for children at risk of disease because they walked barefoot.

"That experience," Mike told The B.C. Catholic, "changed our lives."

There were a few missteps along the way; no pun intended, said Rasmussen. "Shipping goods is costly, so we are buying local livestock to feed people close to home."

And what did they buy? Goats, pregnant if possible.

Goats, Rasmussen explained, deliver a high-quality milk protein and are a great way to feed a family.

"Plus, when you get a pregnant goat, you've soon doubled your herd."

Rasmussen is back from his trip and spreading the word about the flooding and devastation.

"I am so grateful to our partners, the sisters' Project F.I.A.T., for providing me with shelter, a driver, and meals, and to FIMRC for working with me to implement the aid."

Massive reconstruction is needed, he said, as "many bridges are completely gone and others are too heavily damaged to drive on. Where there were once train bridges, only metal tracks are left dangling ominously in the air. Traffic jams are endless as cars try to negotiate the detours."

In spite of their hardships, said Rasmussen, he is always greeted with kindness and warmth.

"Their spirit remains high. They are always ready to welcome any visitor and offer them a chair in the shade, and extremely grateful for any small gift brought by visitors. These are the wonderful people of Las Delicias."

More information about Aura Humanitus is available at www.aurahumanitus.com.

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