August 12, 2009
Hello Everyone! Thank you to everyone who has donated, fundraised and collected items for Mayan Families Canada so far this year. Here’s what we’ve been up to.
2009 HUMANITARIAN HOLIDAY
Mayan Families Canada volunteers are in Guatemala as we speak! Ten individuals (6 teachers and 4 young adults, from Vancouver Island, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) are very busy installing energy efficient stoves, handing out chickens, dispersing suitcases full of donated items, visiting sponsored students, and generally getting an understanding of life in a developing country. Materials for each of the projects they are working on have been made possible by contributions to Mayan Families Canada.
If you are interested in joining us for this absolutely incredible experience, we are planning our 2010 Humanitarian Holiday for August of next year, and we would love to hear from you.
STUDENT SPONSORSHIP
We have managed to continue the sponsorship of all 25 of our students thanks to your generosity. We have even managed to continue sponsoring an amazing young man as he works towards a university degree in Systems Engineering. It’s very difficult for indigenous Mayans to remain in school past grade 5 or 6 due to lack of finances and the need for young children to go to work to help the family. So the determination of this young man and the support of his family is incredible.
A HOUSE FOR NATALIA
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This year we built a house for Natalia. She and her family were living in a wood plank and cardboard house with a mud floor. It was not nearly adequate. The new house is made of cement blocks and has two bedrooms. It is attached to her old kitchen shelter which has a new energy efficient cook stove that was installed by Mayan Families Canada volunteers last year. The family is overjoyed. |
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Natalia’s house being built |
Natalia’s house nearing completion |
FOOD
Throughout the year we have identified numerous families and individuals who are in urgent need of food. In response to this need, Mayan Families Canada has sent down over $3000, which has been used to purchase food for these people.
THANK YOU ONE AND ALL
None of this work could be done without the efforts of a huge number of people. Many schools have fundraised for us, including Nanoose Bay Elementary, Springwood Middle, Frank Ney Elementary, Woodbank Primary, Gabriola Elementary, Parksville Elementary, Kwalikum Secondary, and Ballenas Secondary. Individual donors are just too many to name here, but we thank every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. Please keep up the good work….you are making such a difference.
Thank you again for your ongoing support of Mayan Families Canada.
For further information about any of our projects please visit our website at: www.mayanfamiliescanada.org
Or email us at:
