We officially ended our fundraising efforts in July, having raised nearly $12,000 on our own and having received another $7,000 from our colleagues at Finding Freedom through Friendship to expand our efforts. Together FFF and the Mollner Family have purchased land for three families and committed resources to continue supporting Juana—the inspiration for this whole project who decided she was not ready to receive a gift of a home, but whose welfare is so important to us.
On July 24th, Loren landed in Guatemala, purchased all the building supplies, and launched a crew organized by Victor and FFF volunteer Lynnanne. The crew broke ground on a home for Hilda and her five children two days later.
FFF identified Hilda as a worthy candidate because of her circumstances: Widowed six months ago, Hilda lives with her 6 children in her in-laws' one-room structure. They do not want Hilda's family there. Hilda has had no schooling at all and cannot read or write. The only job Hilda has ever been able to find is occasionally washing clothes, but no one is hiring for that right now. Her children are baby Gilberto, 10 months old, who weighs only 10 pounds. Marvin, who is 4, weighs 24 pounds. Dorca, age 10, weighs 35. Hilda herself weighs only 92 pounds.
With her new home we are providing a stove, water and sanitation system. FFF will continue providing nutritional support and instruction to battle the malnutrition and disease that plagues the poor in this region.
You can see for yourself how quickly Hilda's house is coming together, thanks to 12-hour-long workdays. The team—Rogelia, Victor, Loren, Louis, Miguel and others— is working at high elevation in the sun.
Pretty amazing... in every respect.
Meet Hilda and some of her children...
On July 24th, Loren landed in Guatemala, purchased all the building supplies, and launched a crew organized by Victor and FFF volunteer Lynnanne. The crew broke ground on a home for Hilda and her five children two days later.
FFF identified Hilda as a worthy candidate because of her circumstances: Widowed six months ago, Hilda lives with her 6 children in her in-laws' one-room structure. They do not want Hilda's family there. Hilda has had no schooling at all and cannot read or write. The only job Hilda has ever been able to find is occasionally washing clothes, but no one is hiring for that right now. Her children are baby Gilberto, 10 months old, who weighs only 10 pounds. Marvin, who is 4, weighs 24 pounds. Dorca, age 10, weighs 35. Hilda herself weighs only 92 pounds.
With her new home we are providing a stove, water and sanitation system. FFF will continue providing nutritional support and instruction to battle the malnutrition and disease that plagues the poor in this region.
You can see for yourself how quickly Hilda's house is coming together, thanks to 12-hour-long workdays. The team—Rogelia, Victor, Loren, Louis, Miguel and others— is working at high elevation in the sun.
Pretty amazing... in every respect.
Meet Hilda and some of her children...
WEEK 1
WEek 2
Lunch is prepared everyday by the wife of one of the workers
An otherwordly light conveys blessings on the project as Loren gets ready to go on food delivery rounds with Lynnann in the villages