A Terrible Loss

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Chris Horne, a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Global Community Project. Chris and Mandy Horne (also a board member) were traveling in Baja Mexico over the Thanksgiving Holidays when their car was struck head-on by another car. Chris was killed instantly and two people in the other car were also killed. Mandy received severe injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.

Chris was a good friend, passionate outdoor athlete and gifted teacher. He put his heart and soul into teaching kids about the world and the people and animals that inhabit it. He was also one of the kindest, gentlest, most sincere people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. In the spring of 2006 Chris, Mandy and I traveled to Chilean Patagonia to scout out future projects for the GCP. Throughout our journey I was impressed by Chris' vision for the GCP and the Journeys School, where he was teaching at the time. He was invaluable at developing programs for kids that would combine his love of the outdoors and creating educational opportunities for kids. Chris wanted to open kid's eyes to the myriad possibilities to follow their own dreams and create a better world. He felt strongly, as we do at the GCP, that a single person, with hard work and passion, can create positive change. What was also apparent to me was his love for, and dedication to his future wife, Mandy.

We will truly miss Chris' smiling face. Thanks go out to all of his family, and especially to Mandy, for sharing this wonderful person with us. It's been truly a gift to be able to work and play with him. Our sincerest condolences.

With all my love,

Christian Santelices