OuR Founder’s Story
Our founder’s remarkable journey began in March of 1970 when he arrived in Olancho, Honduras. Driven by a deep desire to serve the poor in Latin America since age 12, William Francis Cook, better known as Father Emil Cook, found his calling while serving as the parish priest for the municipalities of Gualaco and San Esteban.
Witnessing firsthand the harsh living conditions faced by the local communities, Father Emil’s vision of providing support through education-centered empowerment was realized.
At that time, the nearest high school was two days by horse, and only the wealthiest members of the community could afford to attend school. With limited access to electricity, phones, and education, the impoverished population of these communities remained trapped in a cycle of poverty.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Adopting a “hands up” philosophy,
rather than offering “handouts.”
From the beginning Father Emil’s approach focused on finding ways to offer a sustainable path towards self-sufficiency rather than merely providing short-term aid. With unwavering determination, he embarked on a mission to provide the impoverished children of Honduras with an education that would empower them for better opportunities in the future and strengthen their communities as a whole.
Support for Father Emil’s
mission quickly grew…
Members of Trinity Guadalupe Parish in Milwaukee, where he had previously served as an assistant pastor, rallied behind him, providing additional support. Over time, his cause continued to resonate with individuals worldwide. Service members stationed at the nearby Soto Cano Air Base and volunteers from the United States, Canada, Spain, France, and Germany responded to his call for assistance.
Within 16 years of Father Emil’s arrival in Honduras, the impact of his work led to the formation of APUFRAM. Graduates who had benefited from Father Emil’s education initiatives were inspired to give back and provide the same opportunities to others.