We are indebted to our contacts in Guatemala, and in particular Juan Pablo Martinez Mansilla, (Rotary Club of Guatemala City) for the administration and progression of the various projects we are supporting.
To date, the news is as follows:-
1. AUTOCLAVE for the Hospitalito at Santiago
Atitlan.
Now delivered and installed; the following is an e-mail
from Dr. Leah Abraham:-
"The autoclave is up and running and functioning
perfectly! And just in time for a surgical jornada
we have coming next week. Thank you all so much
for this wonderful gift!"
2. EDUCATIONAL HELP for the girls in Santa
Clara La Laguna.
We know that the first installment of funds has now been paid to begin an educational programme for those young girls who suffered so dreadfully after Hurricane Stan.
They are as follows:-
Juana Culpar Chocoy; Carmen Cholotío; Graciela Elízabeth
Quiché López; Everinda Balux Gonzalez; María Cacain
Ulario; Vilma Pascuala Chocoy Chachal; María Culpar
Sac; Brenda Tzaj Chocoy; Clara Felipa Tzaj; Adela
Antonia Chachal Tzaj; Tomasa Tziac Velásquez.
Dr. Leah Abraham and the new autoclave.
Girls from Santa Clara.
3. FARMERS AT POTRERILLOS
An Agronomist was hired and had already started to advise the farmers on their crops, but unfortunately left the job. We understand that Juan Pablo Martinez has now interviewed another Agronomist, who should start shortly.
4. HANDCRAFTS IN THE LAKE ATITLAN AREA
Juan Pablo Martinez and his wife (both professional jewellers) gave their time to spend a weekend with many of the women in the Lake Atitlan area, helping them to learn new styles and ideas for creating unique jewellry designs.
The following associations have received funds to support their projects:-
Association: "Venganse, trabajemos"; (Handcrafts).
Location: Santiago Atitlan;
Association: ADIFASS; (Crops). Location: El Tablon, Solola.
Association: Tinamit Kakchiquel; (Production of Chayote). Location: Santa Caterina Palopo.
Association: Las Siete; (Weaving). Location : Aldea
Patanatic, municipio of Panajachel.
Association: Tejiendo el futuro : (Handcrafts). Location: Santa Clara la Laguna.
5. AQUABOXES (donated by Rotary International
UK)
It is expected that by the end of June, 50 Aquaboxes will have been distributed to the people in the Solola area. The rains have already started and are beginning to give problems, so the Aquaboxes will provide immediate safe drinking water.
6. IMPORTING OF GUATEMALAN HANDCRAFTS
We have been promoting Guatemalan Handcrafts in
England among retailers specialising in ethnic crafts,
and I am pleased to say that we have received some
orders. We have also been in touch with other supporters
of the "Fair Trade Foundation" and particularly
pleasing is that we were able to raise the interest
of several importers - one of whom is going out
to Guatemala in the near future.
We hope that everyone who has contributed
to this fund will be pleased with the progress that
has been achieved.
9th
February 2006 Read
our report from our recent return trip to Guatemala.
(PDF)
18th December 2005
We have now raised more than £8000!
Furthermore we have been joined and supported by two very important contributors:
www.shelterbox.org
These boxes offer shelter, warmth and comfort.
They sent out for us 120 Shelter boxes (shelter for 1200 people)
www.aquabox.org
These boxes contain mainly water purification kits,
tablets, containers, bladders etc. plus some ancillary
items. 140 Aquaboxes were sent out.
Through Shelterbox we were able to instigate the above shipment in a 40 ft. container leaving Helston, Cornwall on 16th December to arrive at Guatemala around 16th January. We are told transport costs would have cost Shelterbox approx. £3,600 and that they have sent out over £100,000 worth of aid for us.
It will be met and distributed by the Salvation Army and Rotary, and the aid channelled to the most needy villages in the area after their assessment of the situation as it stands.
We are indebted to their help.
Our own trip beginning 19th January, includes a return to Lake Atitlan to assess the damage and ongoing relief. We are visiting Santiago Atitlan, Panabaj and the temporary Hospitalito at Santiago Atitlan (Their hospital was buried, and we will be supporting them) and surrounding villages, and meeting some people who have been instrumental in various projects to help the homeless and bereaved to get back on their feet.
The convoy of shipment has been timed to co-incide with our own arrival, so that we are very much hoping we will be able to play a part in the distribution .
