Guatemala Trip 2017
Donation protected
Hello Reader!
My name is Isabel Townsend, I am currently 14 years old, and now living in the beautiful state of Vermont. I was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala and adopted at 5 months old.
I am so excited to announce that I will be going back to Guatemala for the third time in June with my 11 year old biological sister Nora, my 17 year old brother Greg, both of my parents, Kate and Joel, and my boyfriend Connor! Like the past two years, we will be traveling with Our Guatemala. We will be going back to the orphanage El Amor de Patricia, visiting The Backyard School Project, traveling to Lake Atitlan, and of course donating/building bunk beds for families in need.
This trip, this year in particular, is so special to me. The first year I went to Guatemala, I went with my mother and aunt, the second year I went with tons of friends and family including my sister and my mother, but not my brother and father. This year I am thrilled that my father and brother will be joining us and that they will have the opportunity to see my country, my home. This summer, July 29th, I turn 15 years old which is a very important birthday in hispanic countries, for it marks the path to my womanhood.
For my quince project, I have decided to raise money to buy a couch for the children at the El Amor de Patricia orphanage. It was at El Amor, that I built a strong connection with a three month old baby girl named Abril. Holding her softly against my chest and feeling all of her five small fingers grasp one of my fingers brought pure joy to my heart. Leaving her brought a wave of sadness upon me. It's so easy to get attached to these kids. Talking, hugging, teaching, loving the toddlers and children filled my body with love. My heart is in these children’s smiles. I hope that the couch will be a comfy warm spot to feed babies their bottles, read a book to the toddlers, and cuddle with the kids. I am kindly asking you to donate money to my quince project so I can buy these beautiful children, including Abril, a warm place to relax. The couch will cost a total of $2,000.
The other $3,000 I hope to raise will be used to buy bunk beds and donate them to families that need them. Each bed costs $180. Our goal, likewise to last year, is to raise enough money to donate 10 bunk beds and if we exceed our goal we will buy sheets, food, personal hygiene items, and school supplies for the families.
Last year in Guatemala, I found myself. I learned more about who I am, what my interests are, and where my heart is. Walking down the streets of Guatemala gives me comfort. It’s my true home. There are no words to describe how I felt walking into the family's homes while delivering the bunk beds. Maybe sad, maybe overwhelmed, maybe excited, I don't exactly know. The sight of the families houses was something that could change your level of gratitude in seconds. Dirt floors, dirty mattresses, steel roofs. Five children, no mother, no father. One mother, one father, two children. Grandmother who couldn't speak, two grandchildren. No matter what the circumstances were, they were all so kind to us and so thankful to receive a bed, a pillow, and sheets. Thanks to everyone who donated last year, they have a soft place to sleep at night.
This past year I have been blessed with the opportunity to talk over the phone with my mother in Guatemala, Salomè, my younger sisters Abby and Sarai, and my adorable nephew Kenneth. Being an adoptee has not been easy for me. I’ve experienced confusion, happiness, depression, anxiety, and most of all, a deep love that I didn't even know existed. I have a voice and hope to share my story.
Like I said last year, hearing my mother's story elevates poverty to a personal level. I hope to help as many families in Guatemala as I can. Helping people gives me a feeling that nothing else can. It’s happiness, love, and sadness all in one, and I love it. No matter how small or how big your donation is, we thank you each and everyone of you for your generous donations.
With lots of love,
Izzy, Nora, Greg, Kate, and Joel
The children at El Amor
And the families in Guatemala
My name is Isabel Townsend, I am currently 14 years old, and now living in the beautiful state of Vermont. I was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala and adopted at 5 months old.
I am so excited to announce that I will be going back to Guatemala for the third time in June with my 11 year old biological sister Nora, my 17 year old brother Greg, both of my parents, Kate and Joel, and my boyfriend Connor! Like the past two years, we will be traveling with Our Guatemala. We will be going back to the orphanage El Amor de Patricia, visiting The Backyard School Project, traveling to Lake Atitlan, and of course donating/building bunk beds for families in need.
This trip, this year in particular, is so special to me. The first year I went to Guatemala, I went with my mother and aunt, the second year I went with tons of friends and family including my sister and my mother, but not my brother and father. This year I am thrilled that my father and brother will be joining us and that they will have the opportunity to see my country, my home. This summer, July 29th, I turn 15 years old which is a very important birthday in hispanic countries, for it marks the path to my womanhood.
For my quince project, I have decided to raise money to buy a couch for the children at the El Amor de Patricia orphanage. It was at El Amor, that I built a strong connection with a three month old baby girl named Abril. Holding her softly against my chest and feeling all of her five small fingers grasp one of my fingers brought pure joy to my heart. Leaving her brought a wave of sadness upon me. It's so easy to get attached to these kids. Talking, hugging, teaching, loving the toddlers and children filled my body with love. My heart is in these children’s smiles. I hope that the couch will be a comfy warm spot to feed babies their bottles, read a book to the toddlers, and cuddle with the kids. I am kindly asking you to donate money to my quince project so I can buy these beautiful children, including Abril, a warm place to relax. The couch will cost a total of $2,000.
The other $3,000 I hope to raise will be used to buy bunk beds and donate them to families that need them. Each bed costs $180. Our goal, likewise to last year, is to raise enough money to donate 10 bunk beds and if we exceed our goal we will buy sheets, food, personal hygiene items, and school supplies for the families.
Last year in Guatemala, I found myself. I learned more about who I am, what my interests are, and where my heart is. Walking down the streets of Guatemala gives me comfort. It’s my true home. There are no words to describe how I felt walking into the family's homes while delivering the bunk beds. Maybe sad, maybe overwhelmed, maybe excited, I don't exactly know. The sight of the families houses was something that could change your level of gratitude in seconds. Dirt floors, dirty mattresses, steel roofs. Five children, no mother, no father. One mother, one father, two children. Grandmother who couldn't speak, two grandchildren. No matter what the circumstances were, they were all so kind to us and so thankful to receive a bed, a pillow, and sheets. Thanks to everyone who donated last year, they have a soft place to sleep at night.
This past year I have been blessed with the opportunity to talk over the phone with my mother in Guatemala, Salomè, my younger sisters Abby and Sarai, and my adorable nephew Kenneth. Being an adoptee has not been easy for me. I’ve experienced confusion, happiness, depression, anxiety, and most of all, a deep love that I didn't even know existed. I have a voice and hope to share my story.
Like I said last year, hearing my mother's story elevates poverty to a personal level. I hope to help as many families in Guatemala as I can. Helping people gives me a feeling that nothing else can. It’s happiness, love, and sadness all in one, and I love it. No matter how small or how big your donation is, we thank you each and everyone of you for your generous donations.
With lots of love,
Izzy, Nora, Greg, Kate, and Joel
The children at El Amor
And the families in Guatemala
Organizer and beneficiary
Isabel Townsend
Organizer
Manchester Center, VT
Kate Kenny Townsend
Beneficiary