Feinstein Challenge to End Hunger

Hi everyone,  Here is another great way to help in the fight against hunger!  Make your gifts and pledges go further.

Till the end of April, Mayan Families is very pleased to be joining forces with the 15th Annual Feinstein Foundation $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger!  Read about this in Mr. Feinstein's own words!!!

Your generous donations in support of our:

ñ  Pre-school Nutritional Centers ñ  Elderly Care Meals Program ñ  Milk Distribution ñ  Prenatal Care

ñ  Semana Santa Baskets ñ  Egg Laying Hens ñ  General food Baskets ñ  or Emergency Family Food Aid

  ...are all eligible!

At the conclusion of the campaign, the total of all donations and pledges collected through the Feinstein Challenge for Mayan Families hunger programs will be reported to the Feinstein Foundation who will then divide its $1 million donation amongst each participating charity;   the more dollars/food  we collect, the larger the monetary donation received. 

Stoves for the Elderly poor in rural Guatemala with Mayan Families

We have a wonderful opportunity to give stoves to the elderly.

The Interact group of Crestwood Rotary has donated 32 stoves.

Several of them have been given to families but there are so many elderly people cooking on open fires on the ground that we would like to be able to give some to them as well.

Each family that receives a stove has to contribute to the cost of the cement blocks that the stoves sit on.

The Elderly do not have the money to be able to buy these blocks and it is not included in the price of the stove.

If you would like to help an elderly person to  have a stove...it is just a mere $8 US. because the stoves have been donated.

Thanks,

Sharon

Sharon Smart-Poage
MAYAN FAMILIES

a registered 501.(c).(3) Non Profit Charity

Florencia

Hi Everyone,
On Saturday, Florencia, a member of our Elderly Care Program, passed away in her home with her daughter. Florencia has been bedridden for over a year and received almost all of her food, medication, and other necessities from Mayan Families. When she was still able, Florencia made tortillas and sold them in the street, with her basket in one hand and cane in the other.

She has been living with her daughter who has been unable to find work and now has the responsibility of paying all of the funeral expenses. We would like to help Florencia's daughter to pay for the coffin so that she does not have to suffer debts over her mother's death. A coffin costs $250.

For more information on how to help Florencia's family pay for her funeral, please visit:

http://mayanfamilieselderlycare.blogspot.com/2012/03/florencia-has-passed-away.html

Thank you!

Semana Santa Easter Food Baskets with Mayan Families in Guatemala

Hi everyone, Please read our latest Newsletter about the Food Baskets for Semana Santa - Easter and pass it along to family and friends!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Mayan-Families-Semana-Santa-Easter-Food-Basket.html?soid=1103559743325&aid=Elq5JldjQLs

Sewing project participants open their first bank accounts

Showing their new bank accounts

On March 15 and 16th, fifteen women who have previously participated in the sewing project opened their first bank accounts.     These women are part of a joint venture between Madison Women's Health (Weave of Hope) and  Mayan Families.  These 15 women are currently producing back strap woven and hand-embroidered Guatemalan fabric which are then turned into diaper bags for Weave of Hope.  Each diaper bag is gifted to newly pregnant patients at Madison Women's Health.  This endeavor started in 2001 but this year it expanded to include the production of 600 diaper bags by the end of 2012.  

Candelaria signing her bank accout

Crafting these diaper bags is beneficial for all the women involved because they now have a steady income which has allowed them to have enough money to open their first bank accounts.  Because a lot of women in Guatemala are distrustful of banking instructions or simply ill informed about their services, bank representatives were invited to Mayan Families to chat with the women in a more intimate setting about the benefits of having a bank account.  That workshop helped to reduce the fear women had about going to the banks.   During our bank workshop  the women were able to ask many questions to dispel misconceptions about banking instructions.  They were given a chance to decide if they wanted to open accounts or not, and they unanimously decided to give it try. Their dream of having their own bank accounts became a reality last week.  We have asked the women to think critically about how they will use the earnings from this business venture and to start saving with a purpose in mind.  We are proud of each woman who opened their bank accounts and hope that more Sewing Project participants become inspired by this and decide to also take this step.

If you would like to find out more information about this venture or ways to help the sewing project, please feel  free to send an e-mail to mayerlin@mayanfamilies.org.

Orphans In Danger of Losing their House

Hi Everyone,

One of the families that is part of our Orphan Program is about to lose their house and land if they don't pay part of their debt immediately.

The 4 orphans, Ricardo, Juana, Victor and Isabel, live with their extended family in Solola. The father had a piece of land and a small house in the same compound that was supposed to go to the children. However, before he passed away, their father contracted a debt and gave the house deed as warranty. He was never able to pay the debt and now one of the aunts that cares for the orphans is afraid that their house will be taken away.

The total amount of the debt is $750, but the aunt told us that she has to pay $420 by the end of the month otherwise they might lose the house and the land. That will be a real tragedy for these kids who have no parents to rely on.

To read the orphan's story, please visit: http://fa159mf.blogspot.com/ at the orphan's blog and find more details about their complicated situation.

The total amount of the debt is $750, but the aunt told us that she has to pay $420 by the end of the month otherwise they might lose the house and the land. That will be a real tragedy for these kids who have no parents to rely on.

For more information on how to help these orphans keep their house, please visit:
http://familyaidprogram.blogspot.com/2012/03/orphans-at-risk-of-losing-their-house.html

Thank you!
  

Orphan family needs help.

Hi Everyone,

One of the families that is part of our Orphan Program is about to lose their house and land if they don't pay part of their debt immediately.

The 4 orphans, Ricardo, Juana, Victor and Isabel, live with their extended family in Solola. The father had a piece of land and a small house in the same compound that was supposed to go to the children. However, before he passed away, their father contracted a debt and gave the house deed as warranty. He was never able to pay the debt and now one of the aunts that cares for the orphans is afraid that their house will be taken away.

The total amount of the debt is $750, but the aunt told us that she has to pay $420 by the end of the month otherwise they might lose the house and the land. That will be a real tragedy for these kids who have no parents to rely on.

To read the orphan's story, please visit:
http://fa159mf.blogspot.com/
at the orphan's blog and find more details about their complicated situation.

The total amount of the debt is $750, but the aunt told us that she has to pay $420 by the end of the month otherwise they might lose the house and the land. That will be a real tragedy for these kids who have no parents to rely on.

For more information on how to help these orphans keep their house, please visit:

http://familyaidprogram.blogspot.com/2012/03/orphans-at-risk-of-losing-their-house.html

Thank you!