Building stoves in Guatemala
Helping people in Guatemala has been a passion of mine for several years now. It's been a few years since I've been there (partly due to Covid), but I am so excited to be going back this Fall!
During my first trip to Guatemala in 2016 with Habitat for Humanity, I saw first-hand the conditions of people living in poverty. The group I was with built stoves that properly vent outdoors to help reduce lung disease among women and children who spend hours cooking each day. We also built outdoor latrines that prevent contamination of water supplies, reducing gastrointestinal issues for those who had previously used latrines that did not eliminate waste properly.
Unfortunately, Habitat for Humanity has been unable to bring volunteers into Guatemala since the pandemic began. Not only does that mean fewer hands to do the work that needs doing, but it means that some local masons have been out of work as fewer donations are coming in.
However, through previous service trips, we have been lucky enough to form and maintain relationships with leaders of local causes. It is through those relationships (and Covid vaccinations) that we are able to go to Guatemala again October 30 - November 7, 2021. We will be heading to San Juan in the Lake Atitlan area. We will spend 3 days building stoves and 1 day working at a local high school, Suenos y Esperanzas (https://www.facebook.com/DreamsandHopesSanJuan/). And we are utilizing the expertise and labor of masons who have been laid off to lead the work as well.
I am looking forward to getting back to Guatemala to help more people that are in need. *See notes at the bottom for information about the level of poverty in Guatemala.
Note: Because Habitat is not leading this trip, I am utilizing GoFundMe to raise funds rather than the usual fundraising platform through Habitat's site. The funds I am raising cover the following:
1) payment to the masons and other Guatemalan laborers that will be working with us
2) donations to Suenos y Esperanzas school and Habitat for Humanity Guatemala
3) donations/payment to the help in Guatemala that are leading this initiative from their end
My costs for travel and accommodations are already covered.
*There are fifteen municipalities surrounding Lake Atitlan in Guatemala with a total population of 380,400 as of 2017. They are primarily indigenous Mayan people. Around 70% of these inhabitants live in poverty (on less than $5 USD per day), and of those in poverty, 32% live in extreme poverty. Many are living on less than $2 USD per day. See the CIA World Fact Book for more information (https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/).
