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We've served in many different places, but we focus on a few. In each of these places we have established contacts and have created change. Help us continue to make a difference.
We currently support two grassroots organizations in Guatemala. These include The Association for Integral Community Development of Guatemala (ASODECIGUA) in El Tejar and The Ministry of Light and Truth in Guatemala City. We believe that people from a particular country know what's best for their own country. As a result, we support the work of these organizations via material resources, money, and training.
ASODECIGUA is dedicated to improving the lives of families and children via nutritional and educational support. ASODECIGUA also provides families with shoes and clothing, medicine, and parenting classes. ASODECIGUA provides care for 25 children, ages five and under, Monday through Friday. This enables their parents, mostly single moms, to work. The children receive nutritious meals and a preschool education.
ASODECIGUA also provides school reinforcement three days per week to 30 children. School is Guatemala is only a half day long. The children attend the after-school program to reinforce what they've learned in school. This is an extra boost that can help prevent the drop-out problems that are so common in Guatemala. These children also receive a nutritious snack each afternoon.
The Ministry of Light and Truth (Ministerio Luz y Verdad) is a Christian organization dedicated to helping the needs of Guatemala City's poor. Currently, Ministerio Luz y Verdad rents a house where they educate children two evenings per week, distribute food and clothing, and hold church services. They also work with parents in order to strengthen parenting skills and promote more sustainable change in their children.
- Clothing and Shoes
- The families and children served by both of these organizations are very poor. USLA collects used and new clothing and shoes for both organizations to distribute to its members.
- Library
- Books are very expensive in Guatemala and public libraries are not common. Access to printed materials is an essential part of preventing children from dropping out and turning to a life of exploitation and crime. USLA collects books in Spanish or English and Spanish for distribution to both ASODECIGUA and the Ministry of Truth and Light. USLA has set up a little library in both of these projects so that kids can strengthen their literacy skills.
- Nutrition
- USLA provides ASODECIGUA with money each month so that inexpensive, nutritious snacks can be purchased for the 65 children it serves. Additionally, USLA collects and sends children's vitamins to both ASODECIGUA and the Ministry of Truth and Light.
- Scholarships
- USLA provides scholarships for the children served by the ministry. Although education is technically free in Guatemala, many parents cannot afford the cost of uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and the registration necessary for school.These scholarships ($160 each) pay for all of these necessities as well as a visit to the dentist. The children who attend the ministry are at high risk for becoming involved in gang activity, prostitution, drug use, or other criminal activities. Providing an education for these children gives them an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty.
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