Aguipade is blessed with the hard work and dedication of a team of citizens in Guinea-Bissau.

Spencer Gomes received a degree in church administration from the Word to the World College in Denver in 2001. His education was supported by churches and ministries in Colorado and New Hampshire. Spencer, a childhood polio victim, also is a minister, a talented musician, soccer coach and teacher who speaks five languages (native Creole, Portuguese, English, Spanish and French). The inspirational story of Spencer’s struggle to come to the U.S., and his perseverance to learn English and to fund an education, is a story of faith that has been told in several U.S. publications.

Maria Domingues-Gomes and Spencer, married in 2006, are the nucleus of Aguipade’s team in Buinea-Bissau. Maria met Spencer while she was enrolled in Aguiapde’s adult sewing classes. She plays an important role in supporting Spencer and his work.

Aguipade is helped by a staff of professional teachers and assistants in Guinea-Bissau. In addition, we are blessed with a network of volunteers who turn out to help build classrooms or unload shipping containers, knowing they are investing in their community. Most government teachers in Guinea-Bissau are paid infrequently. Aguipade teachers receive a regular monthly $50 paycheck and we are blessed to have the help of dedicated professional educators. We have long-term plans to raise money for a U.S. education for two key assistants, Valeria and Ishmael.