Education ~ Environment ~ Employment ~ Empowerment
Supporting Successful Guatemalan-Run Programs.
Creating futures for some of the neediest kids and families in the world.
Supporting Indigenous Languages, Sustainable Practices, and Culture.
THE ROOF IS GOING ON - CAN YOU HELP US RAISE $30K TO FINISH ?
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Construction continues on the Community Center including a Clinic, Library, Nutritional Support Center and Protective Housing
Thank you to everyone who donated for "Raising the Roof"!
We are now fundraising for electrical, plumbing and interior finishes!
This is even more critical due to the Coronavirus Outbreak and lack of services in this rural region.
Can you help us raise $30,000 by April so we can open the clinic?
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Urgent Help is Needed for Children & Families in Guatemala City and Rural Solola Region due to COVID19.
Lack of Volunteers, Lack of Donations, lack of Supplies. Due to the shelter in place in Guatemala all of Fatima's Programs including the Home School, Parent Support Program, and Health, Education and Nutrition Support Programs in rural San Jose Solola are all desperately in need. Their income generating local fundraisers can not operate, and their many volunteers locally, and through our Volunteering Tourism trips that help keep operations running are not able to arrive at any location, furthering their need for help. In addition, 4 babies required hospitalization, one with pneumonia, adding to unexpected bills. Please watch our little video showing the Fatima Home and their San Jose families and programs, and if you are able to help out with any donation it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, and be well. |
Education is at the Core of GAF supported programs. School continues safely outdoors thanks to our donors.
Families receive school workbooks as well as food & supplies from GAF supported Fatima Educational, Health, and Child Protection Rural Outreach Programs. Education and building self sufficient futures are at the core of all GAF supported programs.
Distribution services are not working. Dedicated Guatemalan Fatima volunteers are bringing supplies out to the Villages.
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Social distancing is in place and very strict stay at home and curfews. Medical supplies and care are often not available in this rural area even during good times.
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Construction Continues for for the Rachoch Ak'al B'alam (Home of the Baby Jaguar) Community Center with medical clinic, library and housing for abandoned children.
2019, thanks to a doTERRA Healing Hands Fundraiser we raised enough money to pour the concrete foundation for the Community Center! On behalf of the children and families who's futures will be changed, because of you....WE thank you for your generosity!
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What, where, why Guatemala Aid Fund?
If you are like us at the 100% Volunteer GAF Organization, we feel that we have been blessed with a life that includes a home, access to school, clean water and opportunities for work and a self supporting future. We have seen firsthand in Guatemala that most if not all of these things are out of reach for much of the indigenous and general population in Guatemala. Being the 4th poorest country in the world, with severe malnutrition of greater than 50 percent of the indigenous children and minimal opportunities for education and employment, Guatemalans are fleeing their country. Most do NOT want to leave their families, and the land they love, but they do not have free high school, or meal support or food stamps, and many cannot provide adequately for themselves or their families. They want an education, they want jobs, they want to stay.
We at GAF have chosen to support the Hogar de Ninos Fatima City Location, as well as their Association to Eradicate Poverty rural location programs that provide for child protection, education, job training, family counseling and environmental protection programs. Their emergency child care not only provides a children's home for abused and abandoned children until they can be reunified with family or adopted, they are committed to supporting long term education for children in their care, and in rural schools. They invest in not only the child's basic needs, but also include psychological and medical support, extended family support and parental training courses.
The rural Solola Community Center project includes a medical clinic, library, school support, plans for an organic farm, eco-cabins for sustainable income sources, as well as a plan to purchase and preserve land including two indigenous religious ceremonial sites, and native wildlife and forest habitat.
We look at your donations as investments in futures for Guatemalans, as well as protection of their land, culture and people.... an incredible part of this world we live in.
Just like a scholarship you are passing your great fortune on to others that need funding to help secure a future in their own country. See the multi-phase project here Solola Community Center Medical Clinic School Project.
Thank you for considering these Guatemalan Run programs for your Charitable Giving!
We at GAF have chosen to support the Hogar de Ninos Fatima City Location, as well as their Association to Eradicate Poverty rural location programs that provide for child protection, education, job training, family counseling and environmental protection programs. Their emergency child care not only provides a children's home for abused and abandoned children until they can be reunified with family or adopted, they are committed to supporting long term education for children in their care, and in rural schools. They invest in not only the child's basic needs, but also include psychological and medical support, extended family support and parental training courses.
The rural Solola Community Center project includes a medical clinic, library, school support, plans for an organic farm, eco-cabins for sustainable income sources, as well as a plan to purchase and preserve land including two indigenous religious ceremonial sites, and native wildlife and forest habitat.
We look at your donations as investments in futures for Guatemalans, as well as protection of their land, culture and people.... an incredible part of this world we live in.
Just like a scholarship you are passing your great fortune on to others that need funding to help secure a future in their own country. See the multi-phase project here Solola Community Center Medical Clinic School Project.
Thank you for considering these Guatemalan Run programs for your Charitable Giving!
Guatemalans creating futures in their own communities.
Based on the success of the Fatima Children's Family Style Home in Guatemala City, GAF Supports their education, nutrition, job training and child protection programs expansion to the rural indigenous Region of Solola!
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Rural Community Center Phase I
- 80% Exterior Construction Complete - community medical clinic, library, - child protective care, school programs can you help us finish it? This project is exactly aligned w/ GAF Goals Education & Training Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility Guatemalan Work Force & Economic Development Indigenous Culture Preservation & Forest Preservation Child Protection & Family Counseling Love & Respect Read the Full Story Here |
This is a community focused project, developed and managed by Guatemalans with an achievable goal to provide Education, Jobs, Aid that is earned and environmental and cultural preservation in the Rural Indigenous area of SOLOLA in Guatemala. Multi-faceted project goals include preservation of indigenous land and religious sites, organic farming, eco-cabins and environmental protection.
We hope you can join us in our Goal to Raise the first $150,000 US dollars to purchase the land,
and build the first phase of the Family Home School Project.
We hope you can join us in our Goal to Raise the first $150,000 US dollars to purchase the land,
and build the first phase of the Family Home School Project.
In the words of the Directors....
"Whatever the reason for the infants, children and youth finding themselves without a home, food, education and care, it is clear that they all need consistent loving care, psychological support and life skill training in an environment they can consider home. They all need a continuum of safe care without the fear and consequences of being moved from place to place, or released without proper life skills and support and self worth.
Privately run family style homes, such as ours, Hogar de Niños Fátima, in Guatemala City have proven highly successful in helping children in the worst of situations form a future. When adequately supported and staffed with loving trained professionals we can provide the full range of supports to not only keep abandoned, abused and at risk children alive, but to give them an opportunity for self sufficiency and future opportunities, and with the most important component of all.. knowing that they will always have an address and a place where they are loved and cared for.
We are in the process of raising funds to build a NEW home-school, in rural Guatemala to provide safety, education, health care and assistance to abused and abandoned children, and women with children that are victims of violence in their regions."
"In keeping with our proven model for the development of mental health, life skills, and a strong education with deep ties to the local Community, including language, traditions, and respect for the environment, we are excited to unroll the plans for the SOLOLA home. "
We hope you can join us in our Goal to Raise $150,000 US dollars to purchase a portion of the land, and build the first phase of the Home.
READ the full story here
"Whatever the reason for the infants, children and youth finding themselves without a home, food, education and care, it is clear that they all need consistent loving care, psychological support and life skill training in an environment they can consider home. They all need a continuum of safe care without the fear and consequences of being moved from place to place, or released without proper life skills and support and self worth.
Privately run family style homes, such as ours, Hogar de Niños Fátima, in Guatemala City have proven highly successful in helping children in the worst of situations form a future. When adequately supported and staffed with loving trained professionals we can provide the full range of supports to not only keep abandoned, abused and at risk children alive, but to give them an opportunity for self sufficiency and future opportunities, and with the most important component of all.. knowing that they will always have an address and a place where they are loved and cared for.
We are in the process of raising funds to build a NEW home-school, in rural Guatemala to provide safety, education, health care and assistance to abused and abandoned children, and women with children that are victims of violence in their regions."
"In keeping with our proven model for the development of mental health, life skills, and a strong education with deep ties to the local Community, including language, traditions, and respect for the environment, we are excited to unroll the plans for the SOLOLA home. "
We hope you can join us in our Goal to Raise $150,000 US dollars to purchase a portion of the land, and build the first phase of the Home.
READ the full story here
2018 Story to Share.........A Tale of Two Sisters
Kept Together and Loved
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A beautiful story of two sisters showing how all the kids at the Fatima Childrens' Home are cared for. Loved and respected as members of the family, wether permanently or temporarily.
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Click on the PDF to read this touching story of love.
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Visit our Etsy Shop!
See Guatemalan Textiles, Artisan Made Jewelry, Co-op products and more |
Make your donation $35 monthly and support a child for an entire year!
Make your donation $35 monthly and support a child for an entire year!
100% of your generous donations will fund:
- Basic Care: Hiring the amazing trained caregivers that teach, bath, feed, hold and love the wonderful kids!
Each full time caregiver salary is $5,000/YR. Many more are needed! - Education = Opportunity: Attending school is not obtainable for many children in Guatemala, and certainly out of reach for abandoned children, especially High School which typically requires a high tuition payment. GAF is dedicated to supporting not only early childhood care, but also long term school support. With a little more than $1/day we can contribute to school supplies, tuition, and a meal.
- Counseling and Family Support: As it should be, the programs we support aim to keep families together, and to find homes for kids in their care. With this comes their commitment to ongoing family support and counseling for caretakers and children. Their reach is far out to the community, resulting in support back in. They have support from Guatemalan businesses, healthcare providers, countless volunteers and families, and other community based programs in sharing fashion. They are PART of the community, not a stand alone entity.
- Job training and internships for youth and adults. Teachers. Construction Workers. Early Child Development Teachers. Psychologists.
- Nutritional support for malnourished children and families
- Forest Preservation
- Sustainable agriculture
Educate a Child with your unused items on Ebay sales!
You know that really nice jewelry you just never wear? Or that great designer sweater with the tags still on it that never fit right but you cant just give up? Turn it into education for a child in Guatemala! Sell it on our Ebay charitable site - just choose Guatemala Aid Fund as the EBAY Charity you wish to Donate to. Tax deductible! 100% will go to support the kids!
You know that really nice jewelry you just never wear? Or that great designer sweater with the tags still on it that never fit right but you cant just give up? Turn it into education for a child in Guatemala! Sell it on our Ebay charitable site - just choose Guatemala Aid Fund as the EBAY Charity you wish to Donate to. Tax deductible! 100% will go to support the kids!
Guatemala Aid Fund Outreach Programs with Children and Teens
GAF Focuses on engaging kids around the world to be inspired to do community service. Any kind... in their neighborhood, at their school, or with organizations they care about!
GAF Focuses on engaging kids around the world to be inspired to do community service. Any kind... in their neighborhood, at their school, or with organizations they care about!
Parent - "After attending this fun interactive event, with its party like atmosphere my child was so inspired (on their own) to look for ways to do acts of service, Thank You!"
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Teen to Teen Events Focus on Sharing Experiences and Ideas for Community Service
Feedback From Kids & Parents: INSPIRATIONAL! Kids - Join our Caring Kids Club! |
2019 Caring Kids at the French School in Cambridge MA had a bake sale after a GAF Caring kids Presentation.
2018 Caring kids joined for an inspirational event to share ideas and accomplishments for Community Service 2017 Caring Kids from Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, North Dakota joined kids from Arlington High School, MA for three TEEN TO TEEN events to share personal experiences volunteering in Guatemala and ideas for service anywhere... Thank you to our Hosts! March 31, 2018 St. Johns Episcopal Church, Arlington MA March 3, 2017 International German School of Boston March 4 - 2017 Park Avenue Church Arlington, MA March 5 - 2017 St. Johns Episcopal Church, Arlington MA One of our goals at Guatemala Aid Fund is to engage kids in giving and to inspire them to think of community service as part of their everyday life...... that was our mission in starting the GAF Caring Kids Club !
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Bienvenido! Welcome! - OUR MISSION
Guatemala Aid Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to investing in programs that help children, families, and communities that wish to improve their lives and futures with cooperative programs focused on education, nutrition, sustainability, work training, love and respect. We focus on sustainable education and health programs that generate opportunities for kids to grow up educated, in good health with support and opportunities for future employment and self sufficiency. We also support Adult parenting, skill training, job support and family counseling programs. Our 100% volunteer-run organization was founded in 2001 by Bethany Eisenberg Zeeb, an adoptive mom of two Guatemalan-born children who wanted to stop exchanging expensive Christmas gifts and instead collect supplies to help Hermano Pedro Orphanage/Hospital in Antigua, Guatemala. Today, we are focusing on Guatemalan Run programs that focus on long term education, care an support. Our partner programs include Hogar de Ninos Fatima (Fatima Childrens Home), Fatimas Family Unification and Support programs, Solola rural edcuational support, medical and nutritional support and future farming and ecotorism projects. We also support Corazones Felices that helps families stay together, with educational support for children and nutritional support for families.. Our work is funded entirely through tax-deductible donations. Funds go to housing, food, clothing, medical expenses and psychological assistance, education and sustainable environmental initiatives, community economic development initiatives, environmental protection special projects and recycling programs. Education is a very high priority for GAF fundraising as our goal is to enable orphan status children, and the extremely poor opportunities for a consistent education, something that is often completely out of reach for Guatemalan children. We are dedicated to supporting Guatemalan-run programs that promote use of the Guatemalan job force and local commerce, environmentally conscious projects and advancement of programs that will continue to expand the education and living situation for abandoned children with hope for better opportunities. Our current focus is completing the expanded Fatima Outreach Programs to the indigenous region of Solola where the Medical Clinic, Library and Home-School to provide shelter, education, counseling and training for abandoned children and mothers that are victims of violence. The building is almost done.. can you help us finish it? DONATE HERE
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News from Fatima Childrens Home!
"teaching caregivers..and parents.... supporting healthy family systems We are so excited with the beginning of a new sustainable training program at Fatima. Parents and caregivers of children will receive parenting education and counseling. Focus is to build healthy family systems and keep families together. News from Feliz Corazones One of our amazing partners - Feliz Corazones ('Happy Hearts'), a family outreach program in Guatemala, is starting a new initiative that we're very excited about! They are making some beautiful pillow covers.. wait until you see! Stay tuned for sale. 
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Fatima Childrens' Home (Hogar Ninos de Fatima)
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Luz de Maria Children served over the
years when in need |
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On behalf of all the children, families, schools and villages in Guatemala that
benefit from your kindness and generosity,
Thank You!
Support our programs
Sign up for our newsletter
Like us on Facebook
On behalf of all the children, families, schools and villages in Guatemala that
benefit from your kindness and generosity,
Thank You!
