This project is now active. Launched: October 24, 2009.

Income Generating Project for Maria Antonia Hernandez Pol (17) of Guatemala
Our goal is to raise $712 . Your donations would fund a tortilla business for Maria Antonia (17) and her family of Guatemala. The project would raise money for the following gifts: 1 gas stove, 1 plastic table, corn, 100 plastic bags, 1 plastic basket, 2 tablecloths, 1 pot, and 1 plastic pot.

$505 Raised so Far…

Only $207 Left to Raise!

Maria Antonio of Guatemala

Maria’s family would like to sell tortillas to generate income. They are renting a piece of land and they would build a small galley to sell tortillas.

The following items are needed to start the business:
1 gas stove
1 plastic table
corn
100 plastic bags
plastic basket
2 tablecloths
1 pot
1 plastic pot

See photos of Maria’s family.

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Maria Antonia is the sponsor child of Maria G. of Ontario, Canada.
Maria G. writes:

“I began sponsoring Maria Antonia when she was 10 years old. From the very beginning, when I received her portfolio, I could see the sadness lurking behind the smile on her face. I knew then that I had to do whatever possible to help her.

Through correspondence I learned so much about Maria Antonia and her family. Despite the poverty that surrounded her in rural Guatemala, Maria Antonia had dreams of aspiring to improve not only her own life, but also the lives of her grandmother, her cousin Brenda and her husband (who are now her legal guardians), and their three young children. In letters, Maria Antonia spoke often of her love of school, particularly math and grammar, and also of her dreams of becoming a teacher.

The work days are long for Maria Antonia. Each day after school, she returns home and contributes by doing chores. She takes part in general housework, runs errands, and gathers firewood for cooking. All seven family members live in one room separated by ripped sheets.

I had the opportunity to visit Maria Antonia and her family two years ago and I am very grateful for the experience. Maria Antonia was no longer just the girl in the letters I received, she was a real human being. All of her characteristics were there in front of me. While she was shy at first, she quickly opened up. I could see that she was a gentle soul, respectful to all around her, and most of all I could see the mix of both desperation and hope in her eyes.

When I visited her home, a shack built on a dirt floor, I was shocked at the living conditions she and her three young cousins had to endure. The walls and roof were made of pieces of rusted, corrugated metal. Water leaked through the roof in places and the family had gathered pieces of broken plastic in an attempt to stop the leakage. It was one of the many times on my trip that I fought back tears. Her cousin Brenda works hard to maintain a sense of family by caring for everyone, but in rural Guatemala jobs are few and far between. Her husband works daily but it is not enough to support the four children and Maria Antonia’s grandmother.

When leaving, Maria Antonia’s grandmother approached me. In Spanish she told me that ever since I had began sponsoring Maria Antonia, she had prayed that I would come to visit them. I told her that it was my dream as well.

The money raised would go towards helping the family begin a Tortilla business. I feel very strongly about this project because it will not only help the family improve their living conditions, but it will help them take the first step towards being financially independent. Most importantly, it will ensure that Maria Antonia can fulfill her dream of becoming the kind of teacher who will work to help other children in Guatemala reach their dreams as well.”