(education,  micro credit, home construction, and crisis relief)

The Mayan Families project  supports Mayan communities in the highlands of Guatemala primarily in the geographical area of Lake Atitlan. 

It provides support in education (student sponsorship), micro credit, home construction and crisis relief. 

This project is directed by Sharon Smart-Pogage and Patti Mort, who have lived and worked in Guatemala for over 20 years. 

Education (Student Sponsorship):

Currently Mayan Families is supporting student school sponsorship (currently they have 350 students being sponsored or awaiting sponsorship)  School in Guatemala is free, but there are fees, including inscription fees, uniforms, books, backpack and shoes which make the education too costly for many families.  Education beyond the elementary school years is prohibitively expensive for most students.

Cost:

$120/yr-per student   Elementary School

$300/yr-per student   Junior High

$400/yr-per student   High school

Micro credit:

Small businesses were started, or enhanced, through micro credit loans to 230 women.  Each woman is given an interest free loan.  The women are eligible for up to 4 loans.  Each applicant must have a business plan and establish a savings account.  One hundred percent of the women have or are currently repaying their loans.  Businesses include:  sale of goods and commodities, produce, juice stand, animal husbandry, weavings, etc. 

Cost of loan:

$50-$300

Construction of a new house:

The construction of a home usually follows on the heels of natural disasters.  Many of the victims of Hurricane Stan (Oct. 2005) are still in temporary housing and in desperate need of a home. 

Cost:  $1,000 Basic cinderblock house with corrugated metal roof.