Camino Foundation is excited to announce its newest venture: Common Ground martial arts school in Puebla, Mexico.

Problem/Solution: With the Catholic church losing influence, the Puebla culture is increasing secular. Absentee fathers leave child-raising responsibilities to now-single mothers. These mother’s want after-school programs that teach values, but also a useful skill. The mother yearned for community, but shy away from the established “church. Common Ground's vision/mission is to provide competent, Christian value-based, martial arts instruction to boys and girls ages 4-18 that is fun for the students and affordable for their parents. In addition, Common Ground seeks to create Christian value-based community for the students and their parents.

Management Team: This venture is founded and managed by Darrol Prusia. In addition to being a trained missionary serving with Camino Global, Darrol is a 5th degree black belt trained in multiple martial arts (MA) disciplines. He is also a trained instructor, operating two studios in Nebraska before coming to Mexico. His adult son Dylan is also trained and will be the instructor of a new school. Common Ground will also employ a part-time administrative assistant. Zack and Jennifer Malthaner, two new Camino Global missionaries-in-training, will be available to help in the business. Zack is a black belt. Jennifer is a Zumba instructor.

Impact: Each student in the program represents an opportunity for Direct Impact. Students are exposed to God's Word through the instructional branch tenants used. The dojo's branch tenants are the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Students are also exposed to Christian instructors trained to counsel and grow those in their care. Last year, 15 students came to Christ through informal counsel sessions between student and instructor. Direct Impact also includes financial support of the local church programs associated with the school and developing Christian communities though the school that ultimately become associated with the church.

Indirect Impact includes the student's parent(s). Parents often wait and watch the training sessions hearing and seeing what the child is exposed to. The children also take the values home to their family. Indirect impact includes the jobs created through the Common Ground network.

Needed to Launch: Camino Foundation believes that Common Ground creates a scalable and sustainable opportunity to spread incredible avenues for the gospel to the community it serves. Planning projections indicate profitability within 12-18 months of capitalization. Camino Foundation needs your help in raising $35,000. The funds will be used to outfit the next Common Ground school and allow Darrol to hire new instructors. Your donation will help Common Ground realize its Kingdom impact on the students and the community. Further, This funding also sets the foundation for future growth as Camino Foundation will continue work with Darrol to ensure that every school can become self-sustaining.

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