Help Children And Their Families Eat

Baby Jenny* spends her days at the market while her mom sells produce. Today her mom cannot sell anything and she won't eat. Here's why.  Due to restrictions imposed by the Guatemalan government in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic, hundreds of families already living in poverty in Antigua, Guatemala are without their meager sources of income and many have nothing to eat. Starting on March 11, Guatemala restricted flights from an increasing list of countries until on March 16, it closed it borders. It also closed down the markets, restaurants and other businesses; prohibited street vending; and asked folks to stay home.


~~Street vendors in Antigua

As is the case globally, every day, new restrictions are announced, with reason, that further curtail people's ability to earn a living. What does this have to do with these families? Fiftynine percent of Guatemala's population live in poverty with nine percent living in extreme poverty (defined as earning less than $1.90 per day**). Antigua is a tourist town that has its biggest season during Lent and Easter. It is known worldwide for its colorful and solemn processions, its ruins, history and multiple attractions. Even in good times, these families live hand-to-mouth every day and because the family providers cannot currently work, they are going hungry. They are desperate. Indeed, we must all do our part to put a stop to the spread of Coronavirus by practicing social distancing, heeding the advice of the authorities and obeying emergency regulations. We're all being affected in different ways and we want to come out of this well. For those of us who are blessed to be able to weather these uncertain times better than others, let's do our part to help those who need it the most. And why help those in Antigua, Guatemala you may be asking?


~~Delfina and her daughter Magdalena

A group of us expats and Chapines (as Guatemalan's are known) and I love living in or visiting this city. We love its history, culture, architecture and its wonderful people!  They are full of grit and joy in the most adverse of circumstances.  The need is NOW. People need food and we want to help them. We will match every dollar you contribute to this campaign up to the first $3,000 in contributions. We will buy food with your money or give it directly to these families so they can feed themselves and meet their most basic needs  starting TOMORROW. With our goal of $15,000, we will be able to provide a weekly stipend of Q. 300 for four weeks to 94 families. If you help us raise more money, we'll be able to help more people, perhaps for a longer period of time. That would be awesome!


~~Eva, her children, mother and sister selling  handmade crafts on the streets of Antigua.

Please help us spread kindness to the neediest Antigüeños by donating the amount that your heart calls for. Let's make a difference together!

Thank you!
Carla, Bruce, Ashley, Dan, Sarah, Peter, Alex and other anonymous team members

* Not her real name * * Per World Bank data as of 2014


~~Sales of palm for Palm Sunday 2019.



~~Teresa and José María at the entrance of the market. He is blind.