Volcano Disaster Relief, Guatemala
Donation protected
Recent news articles state death toll could be higher than 2500 souls
Fast facts on Volcano Fuego
UPDATE:
I apologize for the delay. It's been a month and two days since the horrific eruption and Guatemalan firefighters, police and local families are still digging, still recovering bodies, still burying their dead, and still mourning. They have only barely begun to pick up the pieces of their lives in order to rebuild. It is heartbreaking to think of the buried families and loved ones who will forever be lost in the ash and lava that has covered the countryside.
"with the permission of our Lord and the volcano, we are working..."
Johan Ordonez
Johan Ordonez
Johan Ordonez
Johan Ordonez
Since I began this campaign many things have changed and evolved, including my intent behind your donations. At first we (Fredy Perez and I) weren't clear on how to help but since then we have partnered with a local organization in Alotenango, Asociación Esperanza de Vida. Their goal, just one of many since they do much charitable work in the area, is to build homes for at least 15 families. With the help of local and foreign volunteers, they have already begun construction on the first home, which you can see in the pictures below!
With the Lord's blessing, and generous donors such as yourselves, we will continue this work. We will continue to build homes and shelters for the families affected.
As donors, you can track our progress and our actions. I wish to be completely clear about us, our intentions and our actions regarding your donations. Due to GoFundMe's processes and capabilities, as well as US and Guatemalan laws, I need to inform you how and where your money gets to these victims and their families.
As the campaign organizers, Fredy and I take this very seriously. Neither one of us has or will receive a single penny from your donations. I will be listed as the beneficiary only to enable withdrawals but they will be deposited directly into an account belonging to Dreams and Hopes, a not-for-profit NGO run by Fredy Perez for the benefit of Guatemalans. The funds will then be used to help purchase property/supplies for each home built. The reality of these homes is that they are basic shelters and will be built purely on volunteer hours, gifted goods and time. Without all of these generously donated gifts, these families will not have the manpower or income possible to put roofs over their heads or cook meals for their children.
It is my greatest wish to fund homes for every family that the Asociación Esperanza de Vida finds and helps to support. Please assist me in this mission by sharing this GoFundMe campaign, not once or twice, but regularly and with passion. A few US dollars can go a long way in Guatemala. I thank God every day for you and those who are helping on ground zero. God bless you and our campaign.
Jose Cabezas
Orlando Estrada
Luis Escheverria
Initial Campaign Post:
As many of you may have seen and heard, there was a catastrophic eruption on Volcán Fuego, near Antigua, Guatemala.
18 miles from the worst of the devastation, Antigua is feeling the affects. But the Antiguans here do not worry for themselves. They worry for their neighbors directly affected, and mere hours later have already organized several drop-off points for donations.
According to World Bank the gross national income per capita is $2,740 while the lower middle-class averages $1,619. Many of those affected make less than these averages and now have no homes, no possessions, and some now have no families.
Many of the donors I’ve seen here are giving what extras they have, even though by many standards they already have next-to-nothing. There is a great need for many essentials:
Water-potable
Basic Medicines and First Aid
Non-perishable Food
Hygienic Items (Male & Female)
Diapers
Soap
Disinfectants
Toilet Paper
Cleaning Supplies
And the list goes on and on. However distance makes shipping near-impossible. My solution for immediate dispersal of funds and aid was to create this GoFundMe in hopes to raise money during my stay here in Antigua. I am in collaboration with several locals and organizations here and can gaurantee that your donations will go where most needed, here in Guatemala.
Please prayerfully consider donating. For some it could mean everything. Thank you and God bless!
Fast facts on Volcano Fuego
UPDATE:
I apologize for the delay. It's been a month and two days since the horrific eruption and Guatemalan firefighters, police and local families are still digging, still recovering bodies, still burying their dead, and still mourning. They have only barely begun to pick up the pieces of their lives in order to rebuild. It is heartbreaking to think of the buried families and loved ones who will forever be lost in the ash and lava that has covered the countryside.
"with the permission of our Lord and the volcano, we are working..."
Johan OrdonezJohan OrdonezJohan OrdonezJohan OrdonezSince I began this campaign many things have changed and evolved, including my intent behind your donations. At first we (Fredy Perez and I) weren't clear on how to help but since then we have partnered with a local organization in Alotenango, Asociación Esperanza de Vida. Their goal, just one of many since they do much charitable work in the area, is to build homes for at least 15 families. With the help of local and foreign volunteers, they have already begun construction on the first home, which you can see in the pictures below!
With the Lord's blessing, and generous donors such as yourselves, we will continue this work. We will continue to build homes and shelters for the families affected.
As donors, you can track our progress and our actions. I wish to be completely clear about us, our intentions and our actions regarding your donations. Due to GoFundMe's processes and capabilities, as well as US and Guatemalan laws, I need to inform you how and where your money gets to these victims and their families.
As the campaign organizers, Fredy and I take this very seriously. Neither one of us has or will receive a single penny from your donations. I will be listed as the beneficiary only to enable withdrawals but they will be deposited directly into an account belonging to Dreams and Hopes, a not-for-profit NGO run by Fredy Perez for the benefit of Guatemalans. The funds will then be used to help purchase property/supplies for each home built. The reality of these homes is that they are basic shelters and will be built purely on volunteer hours, gifted goods and time. Without all of these generously donated gifts, these families will not have the manpower or income possible to put roofs over their heads or cook meals for their children.
It is my greatest wish to fund homes for every family that the Asociación Esperanza de Vida finds and helps to support. Please assist me in this mission by sharing this GoFundMe campaign, not once or twice, but regularly and with passion. A few US dollars can go a long way in Guatemala. I thank God every day for you and those who are helping on ground zero. God bless you and our campaign.
Jose CabezasOrlando EstradaLuis EscheverriaInitial Campaign Post:
As many of you may have seen and heard, there was a catastrophic eruption on Volcán Fuego, near Antigua, Guatemala.
18 miles from the worst of the devastation, Antigua is feeling the affects. But the Antiguans here do not worry for themselves. They worry for their neighbors directly affected, and mere hours later have already organized several drop-off points for donations.
According to World Bank the gross national income per capita is $2,740 while the lower middle-class averages $1,619. Many of those affected make less than these averages and now have no homes, no possessions, and some now have no families.Many of the donors I’ve seen here are giving what extras they have, even though by many standards they already have next-to-nothing. There is a great need for many essentials:Water-potable
Basic Medicines and First Aid
Non-perishable Food
Hygienic Items (Male & Female)
Diapers
Soap
Disinfectants
Toilet Paper
Cleaning Supplies
And the list goes on and on. However distance makes shipping near-impossible. My solution for immediate dispersal of funds and aid was to create this GoFundMe in hopes to raise money during my stay here in Antigua. I am in collaboration with several locals and organizations here and can gaurantee that your donations will go where most needed, here in Guatemala.
Please prayerfully consider donating. For some it could mean everything. Thank you and God bless!Fundraising team: Sarah Carter and Fredy Perez (2)
Sarah Casey
Organizer
Spokane, WA
Fredy Perez
Team member