Nutricional Teresa de Jesús
NUTEJE
Physical, spiritual and intellectual nourishment for the children of Latin America
“Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.”
Saint Teresa of Jesus — our patron saint
Who we are
What is NUTEJE?
NUTEJE stands for Nutricional Teresa de Jesús (Nutritional Teresa of Jesus). It is the apostolate of the Mary Immaculate Conception Prayer Group, Mother of the Living Christ the Redeemer — the group born from the Valley of the Half Moon — and its patron saint is Saint Teresa of Jesus (Teresa of Ávila).
It was born as a response to the extreme poverty striking our countries and affecting children with debilitating malnutrition, especially the student population. The commission was clear from the beginning: a pastoral work to feed the children — in body, mind and soul.
Today the work moves forward through two sister organizations: Fundación NUTEJE in Panama and NUTEJE America in the United States, united by the same mission of eradicating child malnutrition through physical, spiritual and intellectual nourishment.
Registered NGO in Panama
Fundación NUTEJE — Panamá
Mission: to eradicate malnutrition among Panamanian children. Headquartered in Hato Pintado, Panama City, with dining halls, non-formal education, an Infoplaza and a school in communities across the country.
501(c)(3) in the United States
NUTEJE América — EE.UU.
A non-profit organization based in Houston, federally recognized since 2014, presided by María Urcuyo. It sustains the projects in Nicaragua, Venezuela and Panama with tax-deductible donations.
Our story
Twenty years of sowing
Glass of Milk — Granada, Nicaragua
The “Vaso de Leche” (Glass of Milk) project is launched together with the Holy Spirit Parish in Granada, providing nutrition and spiritual support to the community. Through work and prayer, a dining hall was later built next to the parish, where children receive breakfast, lunch and activities.
NUTEJE America is born
The work crosses borders: NUTEJE America obtains federal 501(c)(3) status in the United States, headquartered in Houston with María Urcuyo as president, to sustain and expand the projects.
Dining hall on Zapatera Island
The second dining hall opens on Zapatera Island, a remote community on Lake Nicaragua reachable only by boat. Beyond the meals, work was done to bring filtered water to the island: the “Bringing Living Water” project.
Los Teques, Venezuela
Facing the crisis that sent child malnutrition soaring, the third dining hall is born in Los Teques (Miranda, Venezuela), hand in hand with the Augustinian Sisters, with regular aid shipments for orphaned and needy children of the area.
Expansion in Panama
The work grows in Panama with support for the Las Garzas School (Panamá Este) and presence in communities such as Penonomé, Las Tablas, Montijo–Calobre (Veraguas), Divalá (Chiriquí) and Ocú.
The boat sails on
More than 500 children receive food every day across three countries. And the vision keeps growing: education, formation and opportunities so every child can join society with dignity and value.
500+
children fed every day
3
countries: Panama, Nicaragua and Venezuela
10+
communities served
20+
years of work (since 2004)
On the ground
Where we work
Panamá
Dining halls, education and a school
Headquarters in Panama City (Hato Pintado) and projects in Las Garzas, Penonomé, Las Tablas, Montijo–Calobre (Veraguas), Divalá (Chiriquí) and Ocú: dining halls, non-formal education and an Infoplaza.
Fundación NUTEJE — Panamanian NGO.
Nicaragua
Granada, Zapatera Island and Los Cocos
Where it all began: the Granada dining hall next to the Holy Spirit Parish, the Zapatera Island dining hall with its water project, and support for Los Cocos.
With the local community and the religious sisters.
Venezuela
Los Teques, Miranda
Together with the Augustinian Sisters we serve orphaned and needy children, with regular shipments of food and humanitarian aid.
Active partnership since 2017.
Images
The work in pictures
Testimonials
Lives that change
“Since the NUTEJE project began to open the dining hall on Zapatera Island, my life has changed very positively. My greatest contribution was lending my house and my kitchen before the facilities were finished. My boat is the means we use to transport the food. I thank God because we do not feel abandoned.”
Javier Lanuza — Zapatera Island, Nicaragua
“I am the head cook of the Zapatera Island dining hall. I am a single mother, my income has improved and I am very happy to be able to work and serve my community. I thank God for this project that has changed my life.”
Magali Lanuza — Head cook, Zapatera Island
Get involved
Want to help?
Every bit of help counts: donations, volunteering, prayer. Write to us and we will tell you how to join the active projects.
Contact usTrust
Transparency
NUTEJE America is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) in the U.S. (tax-deductible donations) and Fundación NUTEJE is a registered NGO in Panama. Reports and donation letters available upon request.
Offices
Direct contact
Panamá: Hato Pintado, Calle 4, Casa C3 · (+507) 221-8353 · fundanuteje@gmail.com
U.S.: info@nutejeamerica.org
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