Education - Environment - Employment - Empowerment
Eliminating the Root Causes of Poverty
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SCROLL DOWN BELOW TO SEE THE INSPIRING STORY OF "OSCAR...I WANT TO STAY"
Rachoch Ak'al B'alam Community Center (Home of the Baby Jaguar)
is 95% completed
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The local workers were trained in good construction practices, and were so ready to begin work. The amazing native Guatemalan construction manager, who learned construction in Canada donated so much time and energy to train fellow Guatemalans in an effort to give back to his country. This has created jobs and opportunities for the now skilled construction workers as well as locals that have gone into the city to train at Fatima's and receive their early education and childcare skills which enables them to work at the new center. In their own village. The center gives back to the entire community, with access for families and children to attend classes, trainings, events and health support programs. The requirements include children attending school and support programs consistently. It is so inspiriting to see the great work and we are honored to be able to be a small part in helping them with the investment they are making in creating safe, healthy futures in their own beautiful country.
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People asked why the building foundation was so expensive. It is true that we could have built at a much lower price, but also with much less stability or longevity. A cheaply build foundation could not withstand the mud season, high groundwater and the specific volcanic rock and soil conditions at the site. Being in land development and water resource management for my entire professional career, I understood the necessity of properly preparing the foundation to withstand this challenging environment. In addition, construction materials are no less expensive in Guatemala than they are in the US, a common misconception. Unfortunately, it is the labor that is the least expensive of anything, and certainly not even close to what a living wage, (or poverty wage) in the US. Not even close. Additionally, the delivery of materials (up steep poor roadways on multiple small loaded trucks) drives the cost of the projects up. However, thanks to GAF Donors this was made possible.
Most importantly, we wanted to make sure that your donations are wisely spent and that this building serves the community for years to come. The design, prepared by skilled Guatemalan professionals, was to build a durable and appropriate foundation for this region. In keeping with GAF goals to uplift communities with skills, training and employment local workers were hired and received training from a native Guatemalan construction manager that learned many of his skills in Canada. He wished to give back to his people of Guatemalan and contributed training time and significant cost discounts to this project. Local workers now have skills that make them more valuable employees, as well as building better structures in the rural areas. Thanks to doTERRA Healing Hands Program for matching your very generous donations to fund the construction of this foundation.. that will continue to heal and build foundations for many families for years to come. Foundation completed in 2019! Building structure completed 2020, 2021 moving on to plumbing, electrical and inside fixtures, painting and fit up! |
Meet Oscar
He wants to stay and build up his Community.
Thanks to education and a job he can!
Oscar’s new role with the Association to Eradicate Poverty provides us with a direct connection to the community in which we work and allows Oscar to further his dream of providing the children in his community with more and better opportunities for the future.
Oscar in January 2019
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Oscar in August 2019
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Fatima Directors first met Oscar in Sololá, a western province of Guatemala, in 2017 when he was employed by the owner of the land of which a part was recently donated to Hogar de Niños Fátima for the home-school project. During his vacation from school, Oscar worked with his father, monitoring and clearing the land and caring for the forest which includes two active Mayan religion sites. When not working, Oscar was trying to study to become a teacher. It is hard to find a job to pay for school and working in the fields or the forest pays than a few dollars a day.
Oscar dreamed of becoming a teacher so that he could give back to his community.
He knows first-hand how difficult it is to make a living in these rural regions, and he understands why many members of his community have made the difficult decision to leave their homes and migrate to another part of Guatemala, or north to the United States or Mexico. Oscar understands, but he also knows that for him, it is not the right choice. He wants to be a leader and role model for the children in his village.
Oscar believes that everyone should have the right to learn, grow and prosper in their own community and he believes that he can help make that happen.
This fall, Oscar completed his internship at a local elementary school and graduated in November with his degree in teaching. Oscar also became the first staff member employed by Hogar de Niños Fátima in Sololá. Oscar works with two elementary schools in the community that receive support as part of Hogar de Niños Fátima’s school support program. He works with the administration to develop curriculum and improve the education levels of the children and is in charge of allocating donations such as food staples, school supplies, and clothing that Fatima Children's Home coordinators. . Oscar also tracks the progress of students (over 300!) who attend the local elementary schools. Oscar is the local, born, raised, dedicated in-community coordinator for the Fatima Childrens Home, Family support Services and Education/school outreach programs in Solola. He has a job, and education and he is staying! A leader in his community.
Oscar dreamed of becoming a teacher so that he could give back to his community.
He knows first-hand how difficult it is to make a living in these rural regions, and he understands why many members of his community have made the difficult decision to leave their homes and migrate to another part of Guatemala, or north to the United States or Mexico. Oscar understands, but he also knows that for him, it is not the right choice. He wants to be a leader and role model for the children in his village.
Oscar believes that everyone should have the right to learn, grow and prosper in their own community and he believes that he can help make that happen.
This fall, Oscar completed his internship at a local elementary school and graduated in November with his degree in teaching. Oscar also became the first staff member employed by Hogar de Niños Fátima in Sololá. Oscar works with two elementary schools in the community that receive support as part of Hogar de Niños Fátima’s school support program. He works with the administration to develop curriculum and improve the education levels of the children and is in charge of allocating donations such as food staples, school supplies, and clothing that Fatima Children's Home coordinators. . Oscar also tracks the progress of students (over 300!) who attend the local elementary schools. Oscar is the local, born, raised, dedicated in-community coordinator for the Fatima Childrens Home, Family support Services and Education/school outreach programs in Solola. He has a job, and education and he is staying! A leader in his community.
Oscar is responsible for tracking attendance and grades as well as monitoring each child’s height, weight, and general well-being. These data points help us to track the children’s attendance, grades, and overall health so that we can ensure that the children who need the most support receive it and that the program is meeting its goals
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A Tale of Two Sisters - Kept Together and Loved
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See this picture book showing the beautiful story of two sisters that show how the kids at the Fatima Childrens' Home are cared for, loved and respected as members of the family, Permanently or Temporarily.
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"These little angels came to Fatima Children's home with "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay" - it is common in Guatemala and often caused by prolonged exposure to drinks with sugar, likely bottles full of sugar water they survived on. The older sister had to have nearly all of her baby teeth removed and received dental implants. After her teeth were fixed her speech became so much clearer! Her younger sister also needs her teeth removed and dental implants, but the procedure is very expensive and we did not have enough time to save up the money before she was reunified with her family (February 28, 2018) to complete it. We have another little angel with us now who will need the same procedure and who will likely be with us for a long time, so she is our next priority. Thanks to our kind donors we are able to offer these girls love, health and much needed dental work."
Thank you
On behalf of the programs we serve, thank you for your generous contributions to the Guatemala Aid Fund. Your donations enable us to support the basic services and life-saving essentials provided by our partner programs - things most of us take for granted, such as healthcare, education, food and housing. Together, we have supplied medicine, specialty medical equipment, beds, surgical linens, shoes, clothing, appliances and much more. We personally visit the program sites we support to identify needs, and can assure you that your donations are making a big difference in the lives of children and families in Guatemala.
Education For Parents Too! 2019
Fatima began the planning for a new off-site location to provide parenting classes. If a child has relatives or an adoptive family that they may return to, the family must enroll in these parenting classes as part of the requirement of having their children return to their care. Fatima provides ongoing support for education and healthcare once the child is placed, and the entire family is encouraged to continue their relationship with the Fatima Childrens home, and the children are always welcome for the rest of their lives. It is their home to return to.
Professional Education Support Classes - Called "Leveling" 2018
Fatima's early childhood education teacher does an incredible job helping the children that are in school with their homework during afternoon homework time. Many children come to Fatima with no schooling, or very little school and are not able to attend school. They are brought up to their correct level with one on one assistance while the other children are at school until they are ready to attend as well. This is an incredible opportunity for children that would otherwise never be able to attend school. Amazing work they are doing.
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Organic Gardening Started 2018
Fatima Childrens Home is always looking for sustainable practices at the home. The children are learning organic farming and basic planting. The goal is to have a large organic farm at the NEW Solola Childrens home that will provide fresh produce for City location, as well as provide some revenue from sales of the produce at the local market in Solola. The children will learn native farming practices, have chores, and provide food for their home and for sale.
Indoor Babies Play Space Completed 2018!
See below what this looked like before! These children were all in a space of about 10x12 feet before this was built and now they have this great space for exercise therapy and play! It is amazing.
Outside Play space for Babies Started! And Finished in 2017! |
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EDUCATION 2017
Scholarships for High School 100/mo - (2) sponsored!!! Education otherwise out of reach HOME 2017
NEWS!!!
Donation to Build Older Childrens Bedroom Recieved! Older kids stay in their loving HOME! "At FCH while we generally only accept new children between the ages of 0 and 7, we continue to provide a home for children that come to us. Even after they become older than they age of our orphanage, and for as long as they need a place to stay" Our plan was to build a bedroom for the older children. The budget was $930 and thanks to your generous donations we are finishing construction 2017!." Thank you for the generous donation that will cover the cost of the bedroom!! Surgery for Andres
Two-month old Andres arrived at Hogar Luz de Maria with a severe hernia that required surgery. Guatemala Aid Fund was able to cover the cost of the surgery and Andres is now a happy, HEALTHY, thriving toddler. 
A refrigerator at Luz de Maria
When we first visited Luz de Maria, the director told us they did not have a refrigerator to keep food for then 32 children at the orphanage. With your donations, we were able to provide them with funds to purchase a refrigerator. Can you imagine having 32 children in your home with no refrigerator in a very hot climate?
Children, like Georgia, are growing up in a safe, nurturing environment at Fatima
Fatima Home for Children provides excellent healthcare, nutrition, staff and activities for the children in their orphanage. The staff and directors are dedicated to finding as much funding as they can to keep the highest level of care for the children they look after.
A festive holiday at Luz de Maria 2012
Thanks to Michelson's Shoes in Lexington, Mass. and the 8th grade students at Lexington Christian Academy, the children at Luz de Maria Orphanage in Guatemala City all received new shoes, socks and Christmas gifts last year. The gifts were sent to the orphanage along with other essential needs such as baby formula, Tylenol, and vitamins, as well as decorations to round out their holiday celebration.
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HEALTH CARE AND COUNSELING 2017
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