Lori Matthews and Shelby Boyle

I traveled to El Salvador in 2005 and 2007 and Kae and Alex Robb were our neighbors. My teenage daughter, Shelby Boyle, spent hours with Kae, especially during the last 2 years of her life. One of Shelby’s major’s at Columbia was Latin American Politics which I know was driven by Kae and Shelby’s love of the Central American and her beautiful people.

Kae’s last trip to Central America was Shelby’s first at just 14 yrs old. Our local PBS Channel 8 did a video segment on Kae and Shelby’s trip. It was wonderful.

My trips led to friendships with Don Pabel, and Carlos Perdomo in Mandinga near Sonsonate at Las Brisas school in El Salvador. Sadly, the violence and now Covid have really had a very negative impact.

I have included a note I found to Shelby from Kae, and some pictures.  My personal favorite is Shelby reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at Las Brisas. Their joy is tangible!

There is also an article from Columbia University the first month Shelby was in NYC. I will never forget how I felt when I read it.

I can say without a doubt Kae’s influence on Shelby and our entire family had a huge impact. 

-Lori Matthews, 2005-2007 travel volunteer

Shelby Boyle, 2001-2012 travel volunteer and board member