Our overall purpose is to facilitate volunteer teams that want to help in our current area. We do this by making it easy, taking care of everything. We have a trustworthy shuttle service that will pick you up at the airport and bring you out to our housing. We provide housing and meals and a shuttle service to your designated volunteer project with everything that you need to be successful, including a guide. We’ve been doing this for some time, but the need is still great.
Mamas and Tots
We began Mamas and Tots when we heard that a relative of one our employees lost a newborn because the mother had no breast milk and could not afford formula. With the scanty nutrition of so many local Indians, there are many mothers that produce little, and sometimes no, breast milk. And for those with breast milk, it is often nutritionally deficient. Formula costs $20 per month and obviously beyond the reach of most. We rely on the generous donations of volunteers to keep us supplied with formula. We encourage those nursing to continue for the emotional bonding, and also supply the several grandmothers who are raising infant grandchildren with our formula.
For children age 1 to 5 we also supply a nutritional supplement called incaparina. It is an oat-soy based supplement used throughout the third world. The local Mayan Indians have genetically similar relatives several hundred miles north who average seven inches taller: this is simply a matter of malnutrition.
Our medical teams are telling us that the incidence of diabetes is VERY high in our area. They trace it back to infant and childhood malnutrition which is so common. They have also told us that our infant formula program is a game-changer for eliminating this disease.
It is heartbreaking to see the physical and mental signs of infant and youth malnutrition in older children. Help us stop this by donating $25. That will buy two cans of formula and five bags of incaparina.
Mamas and Tots
We began Mamas and Tots when we heard that a relative of one our employees lost a newborn because the mother had no breast milk and could not afford formula. With the scanty nutrition of so many local Indians, there are many mothers that produce little, and sometimes no, breast milk. And for those with breast milk, it is often nutritionally deficient. Formula costs $20 per month and obviously beyond the reach of most. We rely on the generous donations of volunteers to keep us supplied with formula. We encourage those nursing to continue for the emotional bonding, and also supply the several grandmothers who are raising infant grandchildren with our formula.
For children age 1 to 5 we also supply a nutritional supplement called incaparina. It is an oat-soy based supplement used throughout the third world. The local Mayan Indians have genetically similar relatives several hundred miles north who average seven inches taller: this is simply a matter of malnutrition.
Our medical teams are telling us that the incidence of diabetes is VERY high in our area. They trace it back to infant and childhood malnutrition which is so common. They have also told us that our infant formula program is a game-changer for eliminating this disease.
It is heartbreaking to see the physical and mental signs of infant and youth malnutrition in older children. Help us stop this by donating $25. That will buy two cans of formula and five bags of incaparina.
Allison
Walter
Aida
Scholarship Program
Education is a must for success in our contemporary world. In the long run an education is a game changer. When young people learn to read and write and think about what is going on around them, they can make changes. Those in Guatemala who have any money at all send their children to private school. The Mayan Indians have just come around in the past couple of decades to the importance of education and sending their sons to Primario, and now more recently are sending their daughters. In the communities where we have programs many of the mothers cannot read, write their own name, do simple addition or speak Spanish; they have to rely on their children.
For children that show interest and promise we provide scholarships to continue attending school beyond the primary grades. While the costs of private school is small compared to American standards, it is usually beyond the reach of rural families living on a subsistence basis. Basico or middle school is not free. But it is the next step.
Diversicado or high school in rural Guatemala is a ticket into the middle class. We have heard proud parents say that their child will graduate from Diversicado the same way a working class American family might say of their child graduating from college.
The biggest problem for the indigenous population is the lack of opportunity. Unlike the United States, where if you are willing to work hard and work smart you can improve your life, there is little opportunity in Guatemala. An education can change this.
For local students we have an afternoon supplemental program where we offer internet services, tutoring and healthy food.
The cost of a scholarship is $30/month for one year. You can change a life.
After School Programs
Each afternoon we provide tutoring for the children having trouble with a particular subject in school. This is a very poor community and most of the parents do not have any education beyond the second grade level and cannot assist their children. Many of these children then go on to take advantage of our scholarship program to attend middle school and sometimes high school. The latter are not free.
We now have the internet and teach the children how to navigate the digital world. Most homes do not have internet and some of their schoolwork is on the internet. Our goal is help them learn how to learn. Our ultimate goal is to help them escape from the poverty trap.
Pure drinking water and a fruit snacks are also provided. Both are important and not available at home. Games and other fun activities are part of the afternoon.
After School Programs
Each afternoon we provide tutoring for the children having trouble with a particular subject in school. This is a very poor community and most of the parents do not have any education beyond the second grade level and cannot assist their children. Many of these children then go on to take advantage of our scholarship program to attend middle school and sometimes high school. The latter are not free.
We now have the internet and teach the children how to navigate the digital world. Most homes do not have internet and some of their schoolwork is on the internet. Our goal is help them learn how to learn. Our ultimate goal is to help them escape from the poverty trap.
Pure drinking water and a fruit snacks are also provided. Both are important and not available at home. Games and other fun activities are part of the afternoon.
Medical & Dental Programs
There is nothing like Medicare or Medicaid in Guatemala. If you get sick or have health problems you are usually on your own. While there are a very few free clinics, they are a great distance away, and the medicines are not free. Our medical teams have literally saved lives. I am reminded on one young teenage girl with severe heart problems that was diagnosed by one of our teams. She was falling behind her peers with a limited life expectancy. We were able to align her with a volunteer surgical group and now her life expectancy and options are completely open.
We have a stocked clinic on the premises or you can go into some of the remote communities. It’s very rewarding and very needed. We will announce what days you will be available and there will be long lines waiting for you.
There is no dental care at all for the poor. We can make arrangements in advance of your visit and you will be busy, because dental care is far beyond the financial reach of most of the folks we work with. I promise you it will be rewarding.
We have also worked with physical therapists, chiropractors and naturopaths. If you are licensed, you can be a big help for the very poor. And we would love to have you.
Construction Projects
In some of the remote communities the poverty can be astounding—like sewage running through your dirt floor living room. While a few have nice, relatively new cinder block houses—generally from a family member working in the States and sending back money—many have one or two room shacks made of abode or scrap materials, usually without electricity or bathrooms. We have teams that repair or remodel older homes or construct need ones. It’s life changing for the family, because building materials are usually out of reach for a family living on a subsistence budget.
Depending on your skill level and budget we will go out on find a project that works for you.
Everyone’s favorite program: Making bunk beds for the children is one of the most heartwarming projects we offer. We put together Ikea-like kits for regular and triple bunk bed units. They are made with local lumber and include mattresses. They are easy to assemble and one of our staff members will help. You get to see the big smiles from the children—not to mention getting them out of their parents’ bed.
It’s so much fun!
Construction Projects
In some of the remote communities the poverty can be astounding—like sewage running through your dirt floor living room. While a few have nice, relatively new cinder block houses—generally from a family member working in the States and sending back money—many have one or two room shacks made of abode or scrap materials, usually without electricity or bathrooms. We have teams that repair or remodel older homes or construct need ones. It’s life changing for the family, because building materials are usually out of reach for a family living on a subsistence budget.
Depending on your skill level and budget we will go out on find a project that works for you.
Everyone’s favorite program: Making bunk beds for the children is one of the most heartwarming projects we offer. We put together Ikea-like kits for regular and triple bunk bed units. They are made with local lumber and include mattresses. They are easy to assemble and one of our staff members will help. You get to see the big smiles from the children—not to mention getting them out of their parents’ bed.
It’s so much fun!
Other Program Options
Eagle Scout projects: Over the years we have had number of boy scouts do their Eagle Scout Project through us. Collecting formula, shoes or cash for a particular project—to name a few examples—are common endeavors. A few young men collected funds to build tables and benches for a local community school. They and their families came down, constructed the tables and delivered them. Other projects will only be as limited as your candidates creativity. Or we can give you suggestions. We will ensure that he has ample opportunity to demonstrate leadership and sufficient hours in the project. Rest assured, the need is real, and any Eagle Scout candidate will return with the satisfaction of genuinely having made a difference in the lives of many.
We have had other groups that teach health topics and go into the surrounding schools. English lessons are also popular. Or you can do some painting around the hogar. If you have an idea and a skill, let us know, and we will put you to work!