Funval Graduation

On Saturday evening, June 25, we attended the graduation ceremony of our Fundamental Values (Funval) class.  There were 20 young men that completed the training program to work in telephone call centers.  Most of the young men have now acquired jobs.

FunVal Class "The Boys"  Graduates!

When we arrived at the National Library where the ceremony was held, we were escorted to the front of the auditorium to sit with the temple president, President and Sister Flake. We could feel the Lord's Spirit as we entered the auditorium. Our students were part of the 100-plus LDS young men who had graduated from the four-month training program.  We were excited to watch the five different training groups file into the auditorium in their graduation black caps and gowns with colored-collars representing their specific training program.  As the graduates were concluding their rehearsal, David Clark, the founder, and one of the key note speakers, came up to us, introduced himself and expressed how grateful he was for our contribution to teach the young men the Book of Mormon institute class which is a requirement of the English speaking  part of the Funval program.

President Gary and Janet Flake, Temple President

We want to give you a little background on David Clark before going on.  He is the son of the founder of FUNVAL (who has now passed away) from San Diego, CA. and is a very successful and wealthy business man. After serving a mission in Latin America, David Clark Sr. wanted to "give something back" to Latin America so he started Funval.  He created the foundation that annually funds a job training program in customer service, electricity, air conditioning and communication systems in four Latin America countries: Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Equador and Peru.

After being touched as everyone in the auditorium sang the Dominican National Anthem, we listened to inspiring messages by the Funval directors,

David Clark, Founder FunVal Program

David Clark and  Elder Claudio Zivic, 1st Counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency, We then watched our students file across the stage to receive their diplomas. We stood, giving these young men that we have come to love a standing ovation.  We are so proud of them.

Peggy was so humbled when she walked out of the auditorium and all of the guys applauded and cheered. They love us for just being us. It's so amazing when you feel such an unconditional love as this!

Julio Aquino

One of our students and a special friend of Peggy's from when we first got here, Julio Aquino, who still hadn't received a job when the semester ended, came up to Peggy and exclaimed, "Sister Park, I got a job!...and they paid me!" 

We were so excited for him.  We laughed and hugged him.  We then  took pictures with  the guys--"our boys." and met their families.  It was an amazing night. We feel so strongly that this is an inspired program which lifts people from poverty and gives them opportunities to progress and be self reliant.
Peggy and Randy