Israel Garcia

Dear Friends,  I have been very fortunate to travel to many places in poorer countries. This past January I met a young Mayan artist in Guatemala living in a mountain village close to Lake Attilan. Since we met his one brother died due to Covid 19, leaving behind a widow with three children. He lives with his mother, siblings and sister-in-law and children in a small house the family owns. Israel has been doing odd jobs wherever he can find work to help support his family but it is not enough. Due to the poverty in Guatemala he has not been able to sell his art. The poverty, discrimination against Mayan people, not seeing a future for himself has driven him to try getting into the U.S. He was able to borrow $11,000 from the bank, using their home as collateral to pay a coyote to sneak him into the United States. His dream was to find employment to pay off the loan and make enough money to help support his family. The crossing failed and eventually he made it back to Guatemala City where he stayed with a friend for a few days.  He lost his phone, documents, and all of his clothing.  He is he now back with his family. The bank is requiring him to start paying off the loan by the end of July at an interest rate of 15% If he can pay $5500 in a lump sum they will reduce the interest to 5%. He has been very depressed because he cannot earn enough money to pay the monthly interest payments.  He has seriously considered committing  suicide since the insurance on the loan would pay it off upon his death.  He rationalized that this is the only way to save the house for his family. I persuaded him not to take that route.  While I have helped him from time to time with some small amounts of financial help this amount is overwhelming.  I hope that you can help me raise money to pay off the loan.  If you have read “American Dirt” or similar stories you know the desperation  which drives people, like Israel,  to come north for a better life at great risk. Your support for Israel and his family will be much appreciated.