People for Guatemala, Inc.

Hi!  My name is Suzanne (Suzi for short).  I am a retired Canadian military officer, currently living in Pueblo, Colorado. I truly feel blessed for all that life has bought me:  a great career, good health and wonderful family and friends.  As Thanksgiving and the holiday season are approaching, I feel that it is about time I give back to the world.  To do so, I have decided to get out of my comfort level and join the ranks of this great non-profit organization called "People for Guatemala".

I am departing for Guatemala in early December to help improve the living condition of families living in rural villages by providing them something that we take for granted:  a healthy cooking stove and a concrete floor.  

Since these families live with income of less than $100/month, the cooking is done via open fire.  Women have to spend hours every day gathering wood.  The toxic fumes of the fire lead  to severe respiratory illness for women and younger children.  The Chapina stoves that will be installed in those homes, will not only reduce the probability of illness, but also reduce the need to gather firewood since they require only 1/3 of what an open fire uses. 

Replacing dirt floors with cement in the homes of those villagers, makes for a more comfortable living - but more importantly, it significantly improves children's health by interrupting the transmission of intestinal parasites and boosts youngsters' cognitive abilities.

The cost of both projects is $400/family.

I am financing 10 families and will be hands on working with the villagers to help themselves improving their situation. The pictures you see are the families I will be helping.  You will be able to follow my progress with my regular updates and pictures on this site and via Facebook.  Funds received through this fundraising platform will allow more families to receive the gift of better living conditions. I would also be happy to send you updates via email as well.


Please, help me in making a positive difference in this world by donating to such a worthy cause!

People for Guatemala provides other essential programs such as education and women's health.  Please visit their site to get more information and donate to the other programs should you prefer to do so.

www.peopleforguatemala.org


People for Guatemala 

EIN 27-2550148 Dedicated to helping people willing to help themselves through health and education initiatives in rural villages in San Martin, Jilotepeque Guatemala. We operate a medical clinic serving the health needs of over 500 people each month. With 10 years of experience working with indigenous peoples living in extreme poverty, we develop people's skills and educate them how to work together, prioritize needs, seek resources, and complete sustainable projects to benefit families and entire communities.

People for Guatemala, Inc., together with its in-country partner, Hombres y Mujeres en Acción, have worked in rural Guatemala, in San Martin Jilotepeque, since 2009, home to over 100,000 people, mostly indigenous. We primarily focus on improving health and education for people living in extreme poverty. Please check out our website for any further information: http://www.peopleforguatemala.org 

But since the COVID-19 crisis started we have not been able to open neither our health and dental clinic nor our learning center due to restrictions from the Guatemalan government in order to prevent the virus from spreading too fast all over the country.

In the Western World social distancing might be something doable for a short period of time, especially with government programs in place. But in Guatemala, as well as in many other poor countries, not being able to leave your house to go to work literally means no food on the table.

Guatemala already had the sixth highest malnutrition rate (47%) worldwide before the crisis started. Now, after several weeks of being stuck at home and no end to the travel ban in sight our biggest concern is to feed as many of our scholarship students` and patients’ families as possible until they are allowed to go out and find work again to provide for their families. The average family has 5 to 6 children and often times elderly people to take care of.

Due to the generous support of some individual donors we have already been able to supply food (rice, beans, pasta, oil, vitamins, etc.) for about a week to 57 of our scholarship students’ families and to 68 of our patients’ families. But there are many more on the waiting list that need to be fed in the upcoming weeks or months. Our committed staff makes sure to deliver the food packages to the doorstep of each family, taking all the necessary safety and health measurements for everyone involved.  

So, please consider donating to help our families. Every little bit counts! We really appreciate your time and commitment to help us provide food to the most vulnerable families!

Hi I am Donna, a retired Texas educator.  I recently returned from Guatemala where I visited several schools with dire needs.  All are remote, located far into the mountains and reachable only by 4-wheel drive.  Poverty pervades. The villagers live a spare, need-filled life.  However, they have learned the value of an education and encourage their children to learn.   The government builds the school building and then offers little to no support afterward. Roofs leak; outdoor toilets abound.   Yet students are expected to have computer skills when they enter high school and not one computer has been or will be provided. Without computer literacy, students will not be able to continue their education.

In the village of Chi Don Juan, San Martin, Jilotepequez, men of the village will help reclaim a room, actually an old bath room, to make a space for much needed equipment.  An elementary building and junior high are built side by side and so all could maximize the use of the “lab.” Can you help us by donating to buy computers for the school there? Our goal is to buy a minimum of 10 computers, hopefully 12. Please reach into your hearts and your pockets and donate to this worthy cause.

• Providing training and resources to help families prioritize educational needs and health initiatives.
• Facilitating programs where community members actively participate in creating solutions to improve their quality of life.

As the school year approaches, I’m reaching out to ask for your support for People for Guatemala, Inc. Instead of sending school supplies, I’m raising funds to help this incredible organization empower indigenous families in rural Guatemala. Your donations will directly contribute to sustainable solutions in education and health for these communities.

• Your contributions will help provide essential educational resources for students, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.
• Donations will also support community workshops that teach families to prioritize and address their own needs, fostering a brighter future for everyone.

I chose People for Guatemala because their mission resonates with me deeply—their authentic approach to community involvement truly makes a difference. Together, we can help these families thrive! Please consider donating to support their Back-to-School efforts. Thank you for making a positive impact!

Hi, I’m Natalie Hernandez, and I’m raising funds for People for Guatemala, Inc. Together, we can empower indigenous communities in rural Guatemala to create sustainable solutions for health and education. Your support will enable them to actively participate in addressing the challenges they face.

Every donation helps foster a brighter future for families in need. Here’s how your contributions will make a difference:

• Provide essential training workshops that equip community members with skills to identify and prioritize local issues.
• Facilitate collaborative projects that empower families to take charge of their health and educational needs.

Your generous support is crucial for driving change and creating lasting impact. Join me in making a difference—let's uplift these communities together!

Hi everyone! This year for my birthday, I’m asking for a special gift: donations to People for Guatemala, Inc. Instead of traditional presents, I want to support their mission to empower indigenous communities in Guatemala. Together, we can help families build sustainable solutions for health and education.

Your contributions will make a real difference! Here are just a couple of ways your donations will help:

• Providing essential training programs that help communities identify and prioritize their own needs.
• Supporting initiatives that promote health and education for families living in poverty.

Let’s celebrate this birthday by making a positive impact together. Thank you for considering a donation to this important cause!

Dear friends and supporters,

I'm reaching out with an open heart to raise funds for People for Guatemala, Inc. This incredible organization empowers indigenous communities in rural Guatemala, helping them transform their lives through education and health initiatives. Together, we can be a part of this life-changing mission.

Your contributions will directly support the ongoing work of People for Guatemala, allowing them to:

• Provide training programs that enable families to address their own health and educational needs.
• Facilitate community-driven projects that prioritize local voices and solutions for sustainable living.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to a brighter future for these communities. Please join me in making a difference—let's support People for Guatemala and create lasting change together!

Hi, I'm Jhonatan Valdez, and I'm raising funds for People for Guatemala, Inc., an organization dedicated to promoting human advancement in rural Guatemala. Through vital health initiatives, education, and community development, they are making a tangible difference in the lives of families and their communities. But they need our help to continue this important work.

Your support helps People for Guatemala make a difference by contributing towards efforts like:

• Providing health education and services to underserved communities, ensuring access to essential care.
• Empowering children and adults through educational programs that foster lifelong learning and growth.
• Supporting local initiatives that promote sustainable community development and self-sufficiency.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps fuel this mission and brings hope to those in need. Together, we can create lasting change and uplift the lives of many. Please consider donating to this worthy cause today!