Village Sustainability in Guatemala

We are the family of a 10-year-old girl who was adopted from Guatemala when she was an infant.  We learned in January that her biological family of 30 lives in poverty conditions.

Through another GoFundMe campaign, we were able to provide medical care and emergency food, have the land assessed for cultivability (Phase 1 of an agricultural self-sustainability project), and arrange for a reunion in Guatemala between our adopted daughter and her biological mother.  

In Phase 1, it was determined:
1. that the village of 100 is interested in having a reliable source of income through agriculture
2. Tabasco chili peppers are the most consistently viable crop that can be grown on an ongoing basis in the area and
3. that there is a similar project in Nicaragua that hires people throughout the country to grow Tabasco chili peppers for a stable market through USAID.

When we met the biological family of our adopted daughter in July, we made a commitment to them that we would help their village to develop a reliable, stable income so that they can become self-sustaining.

Through a Kickstarter campaign , http://kck.st/1iKzicD, we raised over $4,600 to fund Phase 2 for self-sustainability, which will include:

1. bringing a trusted advisor from the village to participate in strategic planning (TBD, based on funds)
2. the project manager and agricultural engineer traveling to observe a chili farm (completed 11/28/15)
3. the project manager, agricultural engineer, and social worker traveling to the village to begin negotiations for land and establishing trust with the people (to begin 12/11/15).
We learned that the number of inhabitants of the village may be many more than 100. That will be confirmed at the next visit to the village.

The $20,187 we are requesting will raise funds towards Phase 3, which will develop capital towards:

1. leasing and preparing land
2. hiring local managers, farm workers and administrative staff
3. purchasing material and equipment for working the land
4. renting and furnishing office space
5. renting a vehicle for use in local terrain
6. having funds for payments for services, such as meals and gifts for meeting with village leaders
7. partial salary, transportation, lodging and meals for project manager, agricultural engineer and social worker monthly visits to the village

The goal for Phase 3 is February 1, 2016.   As we are now connected with our expanded family, in all good consciousness, we must follow through on our commitment.  You can help us get there!  

We are very grateful for all of the assistance we have received thus far to help the village through medical and emergency food needs, and now to assist them in developing the skills and having the tools to sustain their own welfare.

Thank you! ¡Gracias! Bantiox!