Humanitarian Work in San Marcos, Guatemala
Donation protected
Proyecto Esperanza works to fight domestic violence, teen pregnancy, child abuse, sex trafficking, malnutrition, and animal neglect and abuse, viewing all related as public health threats, in San Marcos, Guatemala.
We are the only non-profit working on most of these issues in the state, which has the fourth highest rate of domestic violence in the country – and the country has the third highest femicide rate in the world, with 98% impunity in crimes against women.
- Human client with a feline client.
We can house up to 25 women and children who have been impacted by domestic violence. We also aid in legal processes and provide various social services for women, children, and pregnant teens. We have an interdisciplinary staff and board who provide these services, as well as a volunteer professional network that assists when our staff is at capacity.
Some of our staff are also domestic violence survivors, and we pay our staff the government-established minimum wage or higher, something most organizations don’t do (often paying half, and for some roles, much lower). We work to provide economic security not just for our staff and clients, but for the community at large, recognizing that the stress and health crises of poverty are some direct causes of violence in the community.
- Community members showing support to eliminating all forms of violence against women
In addition to our human clients, we currently shelter 29 street animals and provide emergency vet services for 15-25 more every month as well as vaccinating and sterilizing 15 animals per month. These animals provide great therapy for our clients and their children, and in addition for many residents serve as occupational training. We would run an animal rescue regardless of the relationship it plays with the domestic violence shelter, but they are actually much more closely related than people see on the surface.
- Dog case after one month of Proyecto Esperanza's work
- Director of Proyecto Esperanza's niece playing with a 4 legged client!
- One of Proyecto Esperanza's biggest supports - the Mayor of San Marcos, Guatemala!
- National Guatemalan newspaper covering our work!
Our current monthly need for operations is $15,000 but we need $40,000 per month to reach our next goals, which will serve 500 women and children directly with educational programming reaching every student enrolled in San Marcos department schools. In the animal rescue we will be able to feed 100 dogs daily as spay/neuter and vaccinate at least 15 monthly, plus house 50 animals and provide services in at least 10 medical emergencies.
This monthly budget is currently being sought out via other funding methods but we’d love occasional help here at this fundraiser. $17,000 however is for one-time fundraising that will provide for our dog shelter, car, and security system, and smaller projects.
Additional projects we need to fundraise for include:
- Mexico trip for client. $500. This is unfortunately an immediate need trip, for a client who is a Mexican citizen and has to legally arrange paperwork there to continue her case here. Without this trip she will lose her children.
- Legal incorporation. $1000. Our legalization is still pending with the government, and it’s been a process! We owe about $1000 still in the fees filed with our attorney.
- Transportation. $8500. Public transport is dangerous in Guatemala and we do a lot of travel with clients between visitations, court visits, legal and psych appointments, among other things, so we fear bus hijacks all the time. Local travel is even more expensive - we spend more every month than a car payment and gas would cost!
- Security cameras. $2500. We need a camera system because we have violent exes and other parties here constantly. It becomes dangerous.
- Dog shelter. $2500. Currently our dogs are sheltered in house and on our roof (a flat roof with shelter that is a norm here)...and it sucks. We’ve designed a shelter for 20 dogs with ample space that will only require $2500 and will give back our hygienic space inside while making for happier dogs too.
- School enrollment. $2000. We have enrollments and scholarships to pay for the children who attend with us, and we have two staff members earning master degree’s in law for women-specific crimes, one studying curriculum development for our educational programming, and one staff member in a veterinary technician program.
Our administration costs are under 10% of our total budget and animal rescue costs are 20%, with 80% for human services. For exact budgetary breakdowns, please contact and we will be happy to provide the information.
- 4 legged clients that appreciate all of your support!
From all of us at Proyecto Esperanza, we thank you for your time and donations!
CLICK HERE to see Proyecto Esperanza's new updated website!
We are the only non-profit working on most of these issues in the state, which has the fourth highest rate of domestic violence in the country – and the country has the third highest femicide rate in the world, with 98% impunity in crimes against women.
- Human client with a feline client.We can house up to 25 women and children who have been impacted by domestic violence. We also aid in legal processes and provide various social services for women, children, and pregnant teens. We have an interdisciplinary staff and board who provide these services, as well as a volunteer professional network that assists when our staff is at capacity.
Some of our staff are also domestic violence survivors, and we pay our staff the government-established minimum wage or higher, something most organizations don’t do (often paying half, and for some roles, much lower). We work to provide economic security not just for our staff and clients, but for the community at large, recognizing that the stress and health crises of poverty are some direct causes of violence in the community.
- Community members showing support to eliminating all forms of violence against womenIn addition to our human clients, we currently shelter 29 street animals and provide emergency vet services for 15-25 more every month as well as vaccinating and sterilizing 15 animals per month. These animals provide great therapy for our clients and their children, and in addition for many residents serve as occupational training. We would run an animal rescue regardless of the relationship it plays with the domestic violence shelter, but they are actually much more closely related than people see on the surface.
- Dog case after one month of Proyecto Esperanza's work- Director of Proyecto Esperanza's niece playing with a 4 legged client!- One of Proyecto Esperanza's biggest supports - the Mayor of San Marcos, Guatemala!- National Guatemalan newspaper covering our work!Our current monthly need for operations is $15,000 but we need $40,000 per month to reach our next goals, which will serve 500 women and children directly with educational programming reaching every student enrolled in San Marcos department schools. In the animal rescue we will be able to feed 100 dogs daily as spay/neuter and vaccinate at least 15 monthly, plus house 50 animals and provide services in at least 10 medical emergencies.
This monthly budget is currently being sought out via other funding methods but we’d love occasional help here at this fundraiser. $17,000 however is for one-time fundraising that will provide for our dog shelter, car, and security system, and smaller projects.
Additional projects we need to fundraise for include:
- Mexico trip for client. $500. This is unfortunately an immediate need trip, for a client who is a Mexican citizen and has to legally arrange paperwork there to continue her case here. Without this trip she will lose her children.
- Legal incorporation. $1000. Our legalization is still pending with the government, and it’s been a process! We owe about $1000 still in the fees filed with our attorney.
- Transportation. $8500. Public transport is dangerous in Guatemala and we do a lot of travel with clients between visitations, court visits, legal and psych appointments, among other things, so we fear bus hijacks all the time. Local travel is even more expensive - we spend more every month than a car payment and gas would cost!
- Security cameras. $2500. We need a camera system because we have violent exes and other parties here constantly. It becomes dangerous.
- Dog shelter. $2500. Currently our dogs are sheltered in house and on our roof (a flat roof with shelter that is a norm here)...and it sucks. We’ve designed a shelter for 20 dogs with ample space that will only require $2500 and will give back our hygienic space inside while making for happier dogs too.
- School enrollment. $2000. We have enrollments and scholarships to pay for the children who attend with us, and we have two staff members earning master degree’s in law for women-specific crimes, one studying curriculum development for our educational programming, and one staff member in a veterinary technician program.
Our administration costs are under 10% of our total budget and animal rescue costs are 20%, with 80% for human services. For exact budgetary breakdowns, please contact and we will be happy to provide the information.
- 4 legged clients that appreciate all of your support! From all of us at Proyecto Esperanza, we thank you for your time and donations!
CLICK HERE to see Proyecto Esperanza's new updated website!
Organizer
Emily Velazquez
Organizer
Wilmington, NC
