How To Give Back to Guatemala

The title of this blog is a tad controversial, but I personally feel that the country of Guatemala has given me something that no monetary value, however great, could cover: an amazing daughter. I have been wondering how I can give something back to this struggling little country through an organization that doesn’t have so much “overhead” that only a small amount eventually trickles down to the people who truly need it; an organization that has not become “an end in itself” as opposed to a “means to an end.”

Recently an e-pal (Carla, who I interviewed about her fostering experience in Antigua) posted a link to a website that has really caught my eye. These people are apparently totally devoted to improving the lives of the indigenous population around them. Personally, I plan on sponsoring one of the children so that they can attend school, and probably a girl, since my daughter’s birth family has a long history of women who never attended school and are illiterate. What better long term investment than education. There are other projects that you can support through Mayan Families, so check out their blog.

And on this note of giving, I can’t help but talk about one of my sister’s present projects. At present she and her husband are in Kenya, working for a small grass roots organization she contributed to over the years. They sponsor girls so that they can attend school, and volunteers go to Kenya to monitor their progress, and distribute funds as needed. The girls come to the agency’s “compound” every few months, with their report cards in hand from their schools, so their progress can be documented and monitored. If they are unwell or need extra help with school work, the volunteer does their best (under the circumstances)to get help for them.

My sister and brother-in-law are finding this very rewarding and the children adorable. I asked her about adoption in the area, and she hasn’t heard anything about it. I’m sure that Holly,our blogger over in African adoptions can enlighten me. I did read on one sight that if you adopt from Kenya, you have to remain there three months so the authorities can verify that your heart is really in the adoption, and you are bonding with the child. Not a bad idea, however it does prohibit a lot of good people from adopting – people who don’t have the time or resources to spend three months in Africa.

Back to Guatemalan adoptions; the Kenyan adoption requirements made me think of the “quick” pickup trip in Guatemala, a huge plus no doubt. But one of the drawbacks is that you may not even get a “glimpse” of your child’s culture, especially comfortably situated in an American hotel with all the ammenities. I’m not sure this is best for the child or the parent. In addition, I personally would have liked to have given Ella more time to adjust to us rather than the “cold turkey” method. If my husband had had the time (and interest) I would have started by spending a few hours a day with her (with the foster mother), and increasing a little each day until she finally spent the night. In Ella’s case I’m sure it would have eased the transition.

Hindsight, 100%, right? ….but definitely food for thought.

To buy products made in Guatemala that do not go through “middle men” go to Maya Works.

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