Take a stance for Guatemala

Who am I and what am I doing? 
Hello world! My name is Bernadette Da Vinci, I am 19 years old live with  my Guatemala father and my Australian mother. In August 2007, I had the wonderful oppurtunity to travel to Guatemala and meet my half brothers and sisters for the first time. Throughout my journey, I was able to see the dire need for facilities and funding for at-risk or disadvantaged children and their families in rural areas. I would like to give back to the country that taught me so much therefore I am trying to raise funds to donate to a community organisation called Los Patojos. With any amount of money graciously donated, regardless of any targets that have been set, I will go back to Guatemala and present the money to Los Patojos 

Who are Los Patojos and what do they do?

(Disclamer: I am not associated, affiliated, recognised or represented by Los Patojos in any way)
Los Patojos is a community organisation located in Sacatepéquez, Guatemala and is currently home to over 100 children who have been displaced through drugs, violence, loss of home and family members. Their aim is to provide education and training for the children and their families so they can successfully be re-integrated into society as self-dependant and self-empowering members of their local community.  

On a daily basis Los Patojos provides a well-rounded education to Kindergarten and school aged children through both traditional learning methods and through the arts. By giving these children the opportunity to learn and engage with others, we are giving Guatemala the opportunity to build a stronger and more united future.  Los Patojos runs weekly information seminars and workshops for adults and families with information on: nutrition, health, how to escape and drug addiction and violence.  By providing this insightful information they are giving the child and their family the personal skills to empower and advocate for themselves in the future.  

All programs facilitated by Los Patojos are led and coordinated by Human development workers,  youth teams and volunteers.

What Los Patojos needs
Los Patojos is an entirely Non for profit organisation that receives no funding from the Guatemalan government. Los Patojos are in need for funding that will allow them to purchase basic items such as:

• All school supplies such as: pencils, erasers, chalk, paper, learning materials, books, paint, desks, music
• Food to provide the children with a well balanced and nutritional diet
• Kitchen utensils and cuttlery for children and staff to eat with, laundry powder, toilet paper
• Bedding sheets and blankets, beds, clothing for the children
• Syringes and vaccinations 
• An upgrade of facilties or expansion 

 What is your plan?
Simply put my plan is to deliever the money in cash or cheque to Los Patojos. I don't believe in Western Union or similar companies as the fee they charge is money I would rather spend on Guatemalan families and their children. I already have my airfare saved up, so with whatever money is so kindly donated, I will go and deliever it to them regardless. Everything counts!  

I would be so immensly humbled with any donation that is given, whether it be 10 cents of $1, I am eternally grateful for any amount. A small donation or simple words of encouragement will suffice! I would just like to say Thank you, sincerly for your time    

 Please visit Los Patojos website and Facebook page for more information

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Patojos/114266995284788 

Website: http://www.lospatojos.org.gt/