Michael and Zuze Bonderer

Michael and Zuze have been working with Homes from the Heart for over eight years, since the devastating earthquakes hit the region in 2001. Michael is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a former entrepreneur from Kansas City, Missouri. Besides being in the construction business for over 25 years, Michael owned various restaurants and an elevator maintenance company. In 2000, Michael was in need of redemption and so he ventured to Guatemala, with a truckload of tools and his dog Jake, where he began working with neglected children on the streets.

Soon after arriving in Central America, Michael met his wife Zuze, a native of Nicaragua, and her two daughters, Marlayna and Wanda. The family soon traveled to El Salvador, the most densely populated country in the Americas, to begin building houses in a new land. Together, they have learned how to accomplish the impossible. They have built over 350 houses around the country, including a 149-house community in an area of San Salvador plagued with violence and characterized by the separation of wealth.

They work together, each taking on whatever various roles necessary to maintain a thriving NGO and carry forth their mission. Amongst many things, Michael directs the construction efforts, fund raising, and collaboration with partnering organizations and individuals. Zuze acts as a translator, organizes labor and materials, keeps track of finances, works with families in the community, and interviews prospective beneficiaries.

Email: michael@homesfromtheheart.org

Micah Whitt

Micah began working in El Salvador at the end of August 2009. Micah will be working to bring more work teams to the projects by marketing extensively to college students in the United States. Micah is a founder of Serve Beyond Cincinnati, a student group at UC that helped Micah establish relationships on Fuller Center projects in Lanett, Alabama and El Salvador.

Micah graduated from the University of Cincinnati in June 2009 with a degree in civil and environmental engineering. After considering various options such as graduate school and the Peace Corps, Micah discovered the opportunity to work in El Salvador again, which quickly became the perfect fit. He hopes to determine where he fits in God’s equation and remain open to the spirit in El Salvador through August 2010.

Email: micah@homesfromtheheart.org