Some of my most memorable experiences took place in Guatemala. Having spent my entire life inside the U.S., I had no idea what to expect. I knew how fortunate I was because war and poverty had never directly impacted my life. It seemed completely unfair. I felt pitiful and guilty for those with less-than-favorable living…
I adore the BBC radio channel. From my driver’s seat I can be carried away, via radio waves, to Syrian refugee camps, Whale sightings in Ireland or into the home of a celebrated author. When a recent story showcased a woman who rescues Monarch Butterflies, I was mesmerized. The woman interviewed spends her free time…
Two photos, both taken with my iPhone: One breaks my heart, the other fills it with joy. For two years, Raquel (above) was one of our Guatemalan sponsored students. We were cautiously optimistic about the opportunity that lay before this young teenager. The oldest daughters of widowed women in rural Guatemala carry a heavy burden…
What do your donations of money, when converted into services for our widows, look like in Guatemala? It is a common question from donors who are understandably jittery about the wise use of their funds. Household items for Andrea, mother/stepmother to six children. To Andrea, our donations of household supplies (pictured above) are not just…
On any given day there are thousands of women in active childbirth in rural Guatemala. The highest birthrate in Central America also comes with increased infant and maternal mortality statistics. The numbers are alarming, and reflective of a multitude of health care issues. Combine a lack of health care access, abysmally inadequate governmental funding for…
Finding Freedom is the fortunate and frequent recipient of thank you letters from our participants. Some are hand delivered during our home visits. Others are sent via our facilitators in Guatemala. Each one is a treasure; a written documentation of the challenges and changes we have introduced into the lives of the women and children…