Let's build hope together

Dear Lois,

Maybe we are back to 'normal'. Masks are no longer required, tourists are walking around Antigua, and, Dr. Haskins and two groups returned to spend a week with us this Spring. We enjoyed hosting them and involving them in our projects and programs.

We need your support to continue our health and education programs. Together we can provide services to create healthy families, educate kids, and develop economic opportunities.

Help us unlock their potential that will improve lives of hundreds of people living in rural Guatemala.

Your support is vital to our work.

Please partner with us and make a contribution today.

Sincerely,

Lois & Ken Werner

Co-Founders

CELEBRATING 5 YEARS

When we opened the Learning & Skills Center in February, 2018, it was a new idea in San Martin and people didn't understand the school.

Five years later, over 650 students have attended classes in sewing, culinary arts, baking/pastry arts, cosmetology and electricity. We are proud of the young adults who are motivated to learn new skills. Many are inspired to start their own business.

In addition to 130 students attending vocational classes each week, 41 junior high school students in our scholarship program attend classes Monday through Friday. This school is certified by the Guatemala Department of Education.

Yobany is 18 years old. He graduated from the cosmetology program in October 2022. He attends high school in the mornings and works at a barber shop in the afternoons.

"My routine is school, work, study, sleep. I'm very happy that I can go to school and work at a job I enjoy thanks to my scholarship and what I learned in the Cosmetology classes."

Above, students attend

school at our Learning and Skills Center.

The junior high school was born out of the pandemic to create a face-to-face learning environment because the schools were closed. The first year, in 2021, the teachers used a homeschool platform. 25 students attended and 12 graduated from 9th grade.

In 2022, 32 students attended the school. New teachers and a cook were hired. 12 students graduated from 9th grade.

"It's not just a school,

it's our family" said Keily.

This year 41 students are attending our school.

YOU CAN INVEST IN EDUCATION AND

HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

CLICK BELOW

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS PATIENTS WITH LIFE

THREATENING AND LIFE CHANGING MEDICAL CARE

Glendy is a 15 year old girl who lives in Pacoj Tres Cruces, about 45 minutes from San Martin. Her 2 brothers (19 and 21) work in agriculture and earn Q60 a day ($8). Their income supports the family. Her mother has no means of income and her father is an alcoholic and only occasionally finds work.

Glendy has been in our critical case program since April, 2019. She has been supported with lab tests, medicine, and transportation to attend medical appointments. The process to find her diagnosis was long and doctors from different specialties (Neurology, Genetics, Physiotherapy, Traumatology and Orthopedics) were involved.

In March 2022, Glendy was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome (a group of hereditary disorders that damage nerves in the arms and legs). Since then she has had surgery but still cannot walk. She continues to receive therapy and will receive new orthotics this month.

Your support helps Glendy, and many other patients, who need

special medical attention but have no insurance or funds to pay

for medicine, consultations, surgery, tests, and transportation.

DR. GREG HASKINS RETURNS

Dr. Greg Haskins from Fremont, Nebraska, returned in February after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. During his week-long clinic he treated 300 patients, referred 24 patients for prescription lenses, and dispensed 170 pair of reading glasses.

We are grateful to Dr. Haskins for his compassion and commitment to help people in San Martin, Jilotepeque.

SOUTHWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

In February, we welcomed 9 people from Southwood United Church of Christ in Raytown, Missouri, and 2 people from St. Jordan's UCC in Beaufort, Missouri. The group was led by Reverend Michael Stephens. They stayed busy building a school kitchen, installing stoves, and spending time with our scholarship students. Each morning they dispersed in different directions and came together each evening to enjoy dinner and talk about their experiences.

"I think for me today was special because

I saw how excited the women were to receive a new stove" said Dale.

"Seeing where the students live and having an opportunity to talk

with their families was a life-changing experience" said Alison.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.

Visiting scholarship students to learn more about their lives, families, and goals were a highlight of the week. The students and their families are proud to host their guests.

Michael accepts a recognition in gratitude for their new school kitchen at Las Escobas.

Graceland University - Lamoni, Iowa Campus

Students studying at Graceland University arrived on March 3, led by Associate Professor Max Pitt. They learned about Maya culture and played soccer with some very talented 10th grade students in our scholarship program. Everyone had a chance to help build a school kitchen and visit students in very remote villages.

During home visits the students listened to young people express their gratitude for the opportunity to go to school.

Building the school kitchen was fun for everyone. Students learned

how to use power tools under the expert guidance of Ken and Amilcar.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR A GREAT WEEK!

THANKS TO OUR PARTNER

SHARED BEAT

Ruth Ordon, above, examines a student during a recent wellness check at a rural school. She is the coordinator for Shared Beat's health and wellness programs in 5 rural schools and 800 students in San Martin.

Their services include health education classes for teachers and parents, student physical exams, vision & hearing screening, dental treatments and parasite prevention. They also organize a volunteer medical team to visit in Guatemala twice a year.

Learn more about Shared Beat here - Shared Beat

Ofelia Cumatzil, above, graduated on March 28, 2023 from Landivar University in their Professional Nursing program. Ofelia has been employed with us since 2018. In 2019 she received a scholarship from Shared Beat to pursue her dream to become a professional nurse.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

YOUR DONATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES THAT CREATE

CHANGE FOR GENERATIONS.

WHY DO WE EXIST?

OUR MISSION is to promote human advancement through health, education, and community development initiatives in Guatemala.

OUR GOAL is to affect long-term change in families and entire communities.

OUR VISION is that one day all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education, all families will be healthy, and all communities will thrive in rural Guatemala.