Student Sponsorship for 2011 in Guatemala!

Mayan Families Student Sponsorship

Amigos of Mayan Families,



It is time to get ready for another school year in Guatemala!



Although students do not start school until January 2011, the Guatemalan Ministry of Education has changed their system to require students to enroll in school in November at the end of the school year. So now is the moment of decision for thousands of families in the Guatemala highlands who are forced to decide between money for food or an education for their children. Even if you choose to delay your payment until December or January, please make a commitment by E-mailing info@mayanfamilies.org today to ensure your student stays in school! Please include your students number and name, if possible, in your e-mail.

As you know this has been a year of hardships for families in Guatemala. But thanks to your love and support, we have responded to tragedy with empowerment. We have opened a new (4th) preschool - feeding program, taken over management of an existing orphanage in San Andres Semetabaj and opened a home for pre-teen and teenage boys, as well as expanded our computer classes and adult sewing classes.



To those of you who sponsored a child to go to school in 2010, we want to thank you very much!



You have made a huge impact in the life of your sponsored student, their families and the whole community! You have given the family hope and given the children the tools they need to break out of poverty and claim a brighter future.



If you are currently sponsoring a child to go to school or would like to begin sponsoring a child, now is the time to renew or begin a sponsorship for the coming 2011 school year. If you are considering sponsoring a child, this is the right time to do it.

This year the Guatemalan people are recovering from the tragedy of flooding, mudslides, volcanic eruptions, a cyanobacteria bloom-environmental crisis, ongoing hunger, and an economic crisis. Education is the key to help this generation survive and take responsibility for problem-solving in their communities. More than ever, education is a precious asset that will set these students apart.

There are many children eagerly wanting to go to school, and they are waiting for your help. Sponsorship today will determine whether this child goes to school or spend their days gathering firewood in January.

If you have sponsored a child this year but are unable to continue, please, let us know as soon as possible, at info@mayanfamilies.org so that we can try and find another sponsor for that child.



We strive to use your sponsorship fee to give the students what they need to be successful in their studies. Although we have worked hard to not raise sponsorship fees, as the cost of adequate educational expenses have increased, we recognize we cannot do justice to the needs of the students without a small increase. The sponsorship fees for 2011 are as follows:



PreK - 6th grade $180 ($15/mo)

7th - 9th grades $380 ($31.67/mo)

10th - 12th grades $480 ($40/mo)

University $1200 ($100/mo)



(Partial sponsorship is an option for University Students)





Please note: Our new prices are not yet updated on the web site, we apologize for any inconvienience.



If you want to Sponsor a Student for the first time or add another deserving Student to your donation please click on this link -http://www.mayanfamilies.org/SponsoraStudent to see the students available. Many more students will be added in the coming weeks. Sponsorship Provides the following:

Pre-school sponsorship - Food, Teachers, and Educational materials.

Elementary, Junior High and High School - School fees, School shoes, Gym shoes, School supplies, a Backpack, School Uniforms when required, shorts and t-shirts for gym. University - School Fees, a Backpack, and books, depending on the school.We appreciate your continued faithfulness to the value of education in Guatemala and to this generation of children! Some of them will be the first in their family to be able to read, write and graduate!

TO DONATE: If you are renewing your Sponsorship,



1) Please click on the link to our website and donate online at http://www.mayanfamilies.org/DonateOnline

2) Scroll down to the Student Sponsorship section,



3) Type in the $ amount and



4) Type in your student's number, then



5) Click on Submit Form which will take you to our simple, safe and secure online payment using PayPal. (You can pay by PayPal, E-check, or credit card)



If you pay online, we offer a monthly payment option, as well: (http://www.mayanfamilies.org/donatemonthly Scroll Down to Other, type in the $ amount and your student's number, then click on Submit Form) http://www.mayanfamilies.org/DonateSponsorship.aspx. Type in your student's number, then click on the Submit Form.



You may also choose to send your Student Sponsorship donation in the form of a check. Please make it payable to Mayan Families and send to:







Mayan Families

P.O. Box 52

Claremont, N.C. 28610

and please include a note with your student's number on it.

If you would like to make your donation in Honor of someone special please

send us an email to dwight@mayanfamilies.org giving us the details and

we will put them on our IN HONOR OF web page.



We hope that you will be able to help us by Sponsoring a Student, however if you cannot at this time, you might consider a general donation of $25, $50 or more-- any donation no matter how small is always welcomed and appreciated. We make every dollar count! You can make a difference right now, today!

Thank you for your support.



Best wishes,

Sharon Smart-Poage

MAYAN FAMILIES

Tel: 619-550-2608

www.mayanfamilies.org



ABOUT US:

Mayan Families is a small non-profit group working in the Highlands of

Guatemala. We are a registered 501(c)(3) Non Profit Charity. Your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law.



P.S. Please help spread the word by forwarding this e-mail to your

community or posting it on your personal blog, web page and your social

networks such as Facebook, You Tube, MySpace, Twitter, Hi5, Blogs and any others that are appropriate.

Please follow Mayan Families on

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If you would like to join a Yahoo support group that assists Mayan Families please go to:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MayanFamiliesConnection



To ensure receipt of our emails, please add dwight@mayanfamilies.org to your Address Book."

To signup for our E-mail Newsletters please go to:

http://www.mayanfamilies.org/EmailSignup.aspx

Thank you once again for supporting Mayan Families!









Education is critically important for these children, their families and their futures!



Sincerely,



Dwight Poage

Mayan Families

a 501(c)(3) registered Non Profit

Your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law.