http://www.sellin.com/GCFR/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letter to the LA Times Travel editor, Sunday, April 16th,2011
Guatemala Tour Proves Rewarding

On January 9, I saw a small article in Tours and Cruises in the L.A. Times Travel section.
As a result, I took [the] Textile and Jewelry Tour to Guatemala in March.

What a find! The tour was quite affordable, very professionally run and operated to support women's and children's charities.
This trip was not about climbing volcanoes and seeing Mayan ruins, but to meet and support the female artisans of Guatemala,
to hear stories, to learn about the traditional crafts, their culture and lives,
and to aid 50 girls at the Ninas Maya School in a small village on Lake Atitlan.

To meet those girls was an emotional experience that will stay with me for a long, long time,
and I'll have a connection to Guatemala through those girls for years to come.
Thanks for including these rare travel experiences in your section.
EILEEN RINDE
Camarillo

2012 Update
GUATEMALA CHARITIES FUND RAISERS begins a new chapter in 2012, with proceeds from all three fund raising programs going to support the projects listed below, along with 5 Day Care Centers, supporting 150 children in villages surrounding Lake Atitlan. Our goal is to raise $30,000 this year, and we are well on our way. Tours in Guatemala and California have been a major factor. And the Guatemalan Beaded Jewelry sales continue to expand, with over 25 retailers in the USA. We will be attending many sales events in 2012, from Gem Shows to Street Fairs in the West. Check the "GCFR Shortcuts" above to see all the exciting and affordable opportunities the program has to offer. We sincerely hope you can join us on one of the numerous tours or bead events to help support these gracious and grateful indigenous Mayan families.

We wish to thank the many volunteers that make this effort possible. They've enabled the organization to develop and be able to give 100% of the funds raised directly to the families we support. There has been no administration, marketing or labor expenses since we began, and we intend to keep it that way. The rewards have been great for everyone involved in the fundraising and we feel blessed to have been given this involvemnt opportunity.

~ Ninas Mayas Corozon Maya Spanish School (www.corazonmaya.com) San Pedro la Laguna

In partnership with the owners of this Spanish Language School, this After-School Study Program has become our proudest accomplishment in 6 years of raising funds for Guatemalan families. Begun two years ago with 12 girls, it has grown to 89 young women (57of whom we support) in a program that encourages the girls not only to stay in school with sponsorship dollars, but to excel by taking advantage of a classroom at the facility in the hours they are not attending class. With tuition required after the 6th grade, the sponsors $150 yearly support gives them funds to continue, and the After-School Program gives them access to 6 computers and a printer, school supplies, and tutors to help with their homework.

We've been so impressed with the progress of the program, we've added additional monthly funds to support field trips, new computer programs, supplies and and special family activities to enhance the girls lives. Our future plans are to build another classroom on the site, with the help of the girl's families. These girls have been selected as the neediest and most deserving, and we are very proud of their accomplishments.

Marta, the owner, along with Luis, the project director, have been responsible for the success and should be commended highly. Our sponsors, many who've visited the facility and seen the progress, have made this a reality, and can't be thanked enough for the support.

______________________________________________________________________________________________
~ Mayan Families Helping the Indigenous Maya People of Guatemala (www.mayanfamilies.org)
Based in Panajachel, this 501(c)3 organization offers a wide range of services, including student sponsorships, sewing classes, general education, day care for young children, healthy family programs, animal welfare, water filters, stove projects, micro-finance and elder care. Run by Dwight and Sharon Poage out of their home in Panajachel., it's a truly remarkable project. Their Motto: "A Hand Up, not a Handout".

Our 2011 Central Coast Ramble bicycle tour was responsible for over $5000 in donations to this very worthy organization. In May 2012, the Redwoods and Wine Country tour in California has attracted 50 cyclists and will raise over $8000 for the program. See the Bicycle Tour link for details.

______________________________________________________________________________________________
Senovia's Beading Co-Op Sandi's major bead source, Senovia is responsible for creating many of the new designs that keep the line fresh and growing to sales and profit levels she now enjoys. Her beaders have worked tirelessly to produce the jewelry in a timely manner for the many shows we now attends. The co-op now consists of 20 women working in their homes and at Senovia's rooftop garden area to produce the beautiful jewelry, unique to this area. More...

~ Luis Cholotio and Family We met Luis in March 2009, and he has never disappointed in his efforts to assist us with our business dealings. Luis manages the Ninas Maya program, assists us in tour leading, and oversees and distribute funds to the projects we support. His English-speaking and computer skills have been very helpful, as well as his suggestions on where our dollars will be best invested. He uses his monthly salary to obtain a degree as an English teacher at the University in Xela.

He is also earning additional income as a tour guide, selected by ToursByLocals,(www.toursbylocals.com), a Canadian company that employs experienced and reliable guides around the world. We look forward to many years of working with Luis, as he has become an essential part of the program.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

~ Lisette's Antigua After-School Center Situated in a very nice neighborhood in Antigua, this morning day-care center for paying clients is turned into a free after-school program for students from poor families. They are given healthy snacks and help with their homework until their parents arrive late in the day from work. Our monthly donation will help sustain this wonderful program.

We have other programs we are considering, most without 501 (c)3 tax-deductible status. The advantage of supporting grass-roots projects without the tax-status is that often more of the funds go directly to support the program. As long as the oversight is manageable, we feel it is an attractive option. Since we plan to return frequently, and the need is so apparent (especially in the Lake Atitlan area), we feel we can accomplish that goal.

Cultural and Bicycle Tours
Guatemala Culinary & Shopping Tour
CalCoast 2011 Bike Tour ~ Paso Robles to Solvang
Thailand Bike Tour
Laos Tour
Guatemala Jewelry and Textile Tour

The tours listed above created a profit of $10,000, benefiting the 5 programs listed above. We are very grateful not only to the participants, but the volunteers who made these tours successful.

It's also given non-profit groups an opportunity to raise funds for their organizations. The jewelry is so affordable, and our wholesale program so lucrative, it never fails to win praise along with profits for others. We look forward to another exciting year. Check the Show Schedule for details on where and when we'll be in your area in 2012. MORE