She Wants to Help Abused Women and Children

There are many young people in Guatemala who would like to be able to continue their education but never get beyond Junior High or High School because of the cost. Floridalma is one.

We have added her — a wonderful Christian, young lady– to our list of students needing help to go to the University.  She has been out of school for several years and has not been able to go to university because she cares for her ailing father and works whenever she can find a job so she can help pay for their food and other needs.

Her dream is to return to school – the nearby University – and study to become a Clinical Psychologist so that she can help women and children who have been abused as well as other women who need counseling and help.  She is a very intelligent and compassionate person and we feel will be a great candidate to return to school. She speaks Spanish, Kakchiquel,  some Queche, and is learning English!

The University she wants to attend has a program for working adults so they can attend classes on Saturdays and keep their job during the week.  Floridalma cleans homes  for people because that is the only work she can find.

She will be a wonderful asset to her community and especially to the women and children! If you would like to help Floridalma return to school please contact us for the costs per year for a sponsorship.   Perhaps your Bible study group or your women’s group could work together to sponsor her for a year.

Please pray that she will be able to return to school!

Helping Those Less Fortunate

Are you curious about our projects in Guatemala?  We have several projects and many ways in which you can help  those that are less fortunate than you.

Our new projects are:

Sweaters, Socks and Bibles project -  We are raising funds to purchase new sweaters, socks and Bibles for each of our artisan groups.  Many of the women have only one sweater to wear when it is cold and that sweater is usually very ragged.  We want to purchase new sweaters for all  90 women artisans that are in our groups.  The children wear socks if they have any but usually they do not own any or maybe have one pair, so we want to provide the children of our artisans with new socks — that is 129 children!   Our artisans speak 3 different Mayan languages – 1 group speaks Queche, 3 groups speak Kakchiquel and 2 groups speak T’zutujil – with very few of the artisans speaking  Spanish and on top of these language barriers most of the women are illiterate.  We want to provide the Bible in audio format in their own language and in Spanish so they will have it to listen to in their homes.  We need funds to help with this — won’t you help?

Vacation Bible School project - We are raising funds to have VBS programs for the children at each of our groups.  We will need VBS materials, craft projects materials, Bibles, translators, mission teams  plus much more to make this a continuing effort in the coming years. We would love to have two programs each year with each artisan group. These VBS programs will help the children learn about Jesus and His love for them and will also provide materials for them to practice their reading and writing.  Most children do not have books to read or other materials to learn skills necessary to improve their education and we hope to be able to provide some help through VBS classes.   We need funds to help with this — won’t you help?

Sewing Centers – We have identified another of our artisan groups that need our help with a sewing center.  We hope to provide a new building for a sewing center along with sewing classes for this group in the coming year.  This group was devastated with a tropical storm a couple of years ago and lost nearly all of their homes, their workshop, their looms — nearly everything.  We need funds to help with this — won’t you help?

Our ongoing projects in which we need help –

Fair Trade Handcraft Sales / Bazaars -  Now you can help the artisans in our Fair Trade women’s groups by volunteering to sell their Fair Trade handcrafts. Hosting a Fair Trade sale/ bazaar at your church, office, community center or in your home can benefit the women because every sale improves their lives by giving them more income to help support their families.  Email us for more information through our website contact page.

School Supplies project – If your group would like to collect basic school supplies for the students,we will distribute them to the children of our artisan groups.  It costs several thousand dollars to purchase needed school supplies for all the children.  Many of these children cannot go to school because of a lack of school supplies.  Also please consider donating used or new laptop computers to Education And More. We want to supply the older students in our Sponsorship program with a computer so they can benefit from technology as they continue their education.

Fundraising Project - Looking for ways to raise money for a youth trip or for your women’s programs?  We have several different fundraisers available to help you raise money and at the same time help artisans in Guatemala support their families. Hacky sack balls, ID Badgeholders, Friendship bracelets, Beaded bracelets and Neck Scarves — are a few of the fundraisers available for you to help your group and help families in Guatemala. Email us for more information.

Educational Support project - In addition to our Sponsorship Program, Education And More   helps many students attend school by providing their school supplies, backpacks and often by giving new school shoes and clothing and school fees.  Many of the children in Guatemala need this help or they are unable to attend school.  Please consider donating to our Educational Support project so that we can help even more children or get your Sunday School group or your women’s group involved in raising funds for the students.

Student needing help with school expenses.

Children of Choacruz

Education And More is fundraising to help children attend school.  We have the opportunity to help the children in our Choacruz artisan group by purchasing the school supplies they need to begin school in January.  The school year in Guatemala begins in January and continues until October when they have a 2 month vacation.

One child — one child at a time can be helped with your donation of $25 to give a child the opportunity to attend school.

These are impoverished children whom have very little chance to go to school without help.  Your donation will purchase a backpack / bookbag and the necessary school supplies for the entire year of school.

 

Won’t you please help with your donation!  You may use the donation page on our website or send a check to Education And More, P.O. Box 201, Burlingame, KS  66413

– please be sure to tell us that the donation is for the “Children of Choacruz”

 

We are presenting photos of some of the children that will benefit from your help!

Won’t you help us educate these children?  Donate Now!

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Sewing Centers for Fair Trade Artisans

Education And More is trying to raise money for sewing centers for 2 of the artisan groups that we work with in the western highlands of Guatemala.  We have worked with these groups for several years and they are both in need of  sewing machines, sewing lessons, tables, and supplies in order to increase their income with sewn items.

Artesana's T'zaput

‘Sewing machines and learning to sew has been a dream for us!’–  one of the artisans told me recently.

Children of Fair Trade Artisans

The economic benefit of learning to sew and then having sewing machines will make a huge difference to the income they are able to generate for their families.

Backstrap Weaver from Artesanas Red de Mujeres Juaneras

We have donated a sewing machine to each group in the past,  but they need more machines and they need sewing instruction for advanced sewing of purses, totes, messenger bags, backpacks, curtains, and clothing and other more detailed projects.

Please help us in our fund raising for our artisan groups! Donate Today!

Your Help Is Needed!

Your help is urgently needed!

Tropical Storm Agatha has devastated parts of Guatemala, especially in the areas where Education and More works. Many, many people have lost their homes and now Education And More is in the process of helping to rebuild homes and lives.

Please, if you can donate any amount it will help us to help those devastated by the storm.

Below is a button that will allow you to donate with your credit card or simply send a check to our offices.

Education And More

Tropical Storm Disaster Relief

P.O. Box 201,

Burlingame, KS 66413

Whether it’s $10 or $100 –all will be helpful.

Thank you!

One of the many houses swept away by the river.

A mudslide covers the road out of Panajachel