Our History

What is the History of ADLN?

A Mr. Carl Carpenter, a Christian from Springdale, AR in 1984, created the Amigos de los Niños School. Originally the school was located in the Frontera Church of Christ building, but quickly out grew the space. Through the cooperation of the local government, land was located in the community and an eight-room building was constructed. The school currently has 75-80 children in a pre-school setting. The children enroll in the school when they are three and stay for two years until they begin Kindergarten.

The ADLN school seeks to server the poor and needy in the community. In Mexico, a child must complete preschool in order to enter Kindergarten. Public preschool in Mexico is very expensive for those that are poor in Mexico. Many children cannot afford private or public preschool and are therefore unable to enter Kindergarten in the public school system. ADLN serves to break this cycle of poverty in Mexico. Many times, the poor cannot afford to send their children to school and the children often repeat the pattern of poverty.

Soon after the beginning of the ADLN School in Frontera, the leaders discovered a growing need for health care. Many times the poor children that enter the school have several health needs that affect their ability to learn. Quickly a team of Medical professionals from the United States was formed and a medical clinic was held in the school for the children and their families. The children have seen a tremendous benefit over the years with regular health care, medicine, and vitamins.

With the growing mission of Amigos de los Niños beyond the running of the school, it was decided that an independent board was needed to oversee the various responsibilities that were growing. The Board was formed in 1999 and has served ever since. The current board members are: Carl Carpenter, Keith and Lynn Morrison, Mike and Carol Lybarger, Lynn Cook, Gerald and Angela Driskill, Jon and Brenna Camp, and Mark and Kathy Meeker.

How can you support the Work of ADLN?