Hola, amigos! Hace mucho tiempo que no escribo!
Hello, friends! It has been a while since I have written here!
This year has brought many new changes for our family, incuding a move across the country ~ so I have been
very busy settling into our new "old" house! I hope to post more on this blog and share our expiernces with parenting our 5 guatemalan blessings!
Since the New Year is coming upon us........ I thought this is a wonderful time to contemplate the new goals we may have or wish to set ........ I know for our family, we really wish to become more involved with humanitarian projects in Guatemala! We miss Guatemala a great deal and really, really want to spend some time there this year "giving back" for all the many blessings we have recieved from our children.
I also have the goal to post on this blog once a week. I think I can manage that!
I would like to spend this coming month spotlighting some great groups that are doing some wonderful things in
Guatemala to help the vulnerable and the needy. Perhaps your family may wish to consider becoming involved with one of these orginizations? Something to think about. There are many wonderfu orginizaitons currently working in Guatemala. There are various needs that are being met by each orginization and a family can choose to become involved as they feel comfortable and are able to.
The first oginization I would like to take time to spotlight is one that I have personally worked with in years past.
It is called : Safe homes For Children. www.safehomesforchildren.org
This not for profit orginization was founded by Vicki Dalia, an adoptive mom of many children who felt God's call to help the needy children of Guatemala. Vicki began her work in Guatemala a few years back, by opening up a home for children in Guatemala City. Her home is called Casa De Sion. ( house of Zion). Vicki's heart is for the children who are appointed by the courts and who will most likely not be adoptable. These children have had very sad lives and are now finding peace and safety in Vicki's home. I have personally visited Casa De Sion and found the children so happy and content! Many of these children have never known of a safe place to live until they found Vicki. Vicki works directly with the courts to place children in her home, children whose parents have lost their rights to parent their children. Vicki currently has a home in Guatemala City and is also in process of creating another home in the Panajachel area. Her orginization is 100% NOT for profit -- in fact, the Dalia family support
the home thru their own means. Currently vicki is looking for families to sponser children or perhaps make donations in the form of clothing, food, medicines, monies, etc. To find out more about Vicki's home please visit her site.
I know she would appreciate your help and assistance! The Dalia's orginization is a small one and does not publically solicite funds so there are *true* needs here. A few years back, my Church family sponsored Christmas for the children at Casa De Sion. Can I tell you what JOY this brought to the families who helped out? Truly they received just as much JOY as the children did when they received their Christmas gifts! Each child had a sponser family that purchased some clothing and hygiene supplies as well as some small toys. I was blessed to be able to deliver these gifts to the children and their faces just lit up!! We also brought in a imitation Christmas tree and lights and decorations. For many of the children they had never expierenced Christmas before!
I know that Vicki's orginization is really truly in need of help - so if you do wish to help out in any way please visit her website and drop her a line. Her family spends a great deal of time in Guatemala and she can take goods down with her when she travels. Again please visit www.safehomesforchildren.org for further info on Casa De Sion and the Dalia's new home in Lake Atitlan.
I hope to spotlight another orginization next week. I hope each of you will consider helping in some way.
There are so many children who are left behind in Guatemala -- children who need food, shelter, clothing medical supplies and education...... there are numerous ways in which you can help...... please consider what your family can help with in this coming new year!
Blessings,
Gloria