Founder´s Personal Statement

There is a tremendous need for orphanages in Guatemala. This became apparent on my first working trip to Guatemala in May 2006. My introduction to Guatemalan life began when I lived and worked at Hogar Miguel Magone for two weeks in May 2006.

There are over 370,000 orphans in Guatemala, Central America. These orphans need a place to sleep, live, eat and feel safe. Please share with me the story of the orphanage, of the boys and their courage and find it in your heart to help in whatever way you can. A little here, a little there… and before you know it…. A little has become a lot.

The Guatemalan government does not support the approximately 215 orphanages in Guatemala. It is you, private citizens, businesses, corporate entities and non-profit groups that support & fund the orphanages to give these boys a safe, healthy environment in which to thrive. The citizens of Guatemala have been struggling to recover after their civil war ended in 1996. 80% of the population of Guatemala lives below poverty level. Many of them have incomes of about $2.00 a day. How can you support your family and your children with so little money, much less help out the many orphanages that already exist?

That’s where we come in, you and I. It is so easy to give a little and give of yourself. OK, not everyone can take off and go to Guatemala and live there for weeks at a time. Not everyone will relish the living conditions, the cold showers and the plain yet nutritious food at an orphanage. But someone has to step in and help these children. America's generosity & caring strengthens the human ties that bind country to country. This project is an example of that in action. Additionally, many Europeans, Canadians and others around the world come to the orphanage to work as well as help with donations, food and clothing. It’s a collective effort.

The boys did not ask to be born in poverty, or abandoned on the streets. Many have been abused and need a safe haven, a safe home where they can be children. This home is a place where they learn to play. This is where they learn values and rules. This is where these children slowly forget the nightmarish lives that they have had.

You can’t imagine the joy of living and working with these boys as a volunteer. Each day is different and each day has challenges. Let’s see…… Who will wake up at 5 am to make sure their breakfast of beans will be hot by 6 am? Who will walk them to school the approximately 1.75 miles to school….each way? Who will be there to wipe a runny nose, find their other shoe, play ball with them or help them with their homework? Who will help supplement their income so that the monthly budget of the orphanage can be met each month? Who will bring new socks, shirts, underwear and other gifts to the boys to provide for their needs and instill in them more self worth and self esteem.... the feeling that they are worthy of receiving more than just hand-me-down clothing and goods.

At this stage in my life, I have made it my personal goal to help these boys and the orphanage in whatever way I can. I have been involved in many community service projects and fundraisers. I have raised my own son. I have mentored others. Altruism is not new to me.

My first impromptu fundraising dinner netted over $725 for the orphanage. Because we had so much fun, I had a t-shirt party soon after that. My guests were asked to bring at least one new kid-size t-shirt for the boys. We received over 100 new shirts that night. I asked people for donations and items and I received so many wonderful items. I have been blessed with the contacts and the courage to approach people for a cause that I truly believe in. This has become a passion for me.

The budget of the orphanage suffered a serious blow when a volunteer organization withdrew their support of the orphanage in March 2007. That organization was the reason I was in Guatemala for the first time as a volunteer in May 2006. Now they will no longer send volunteers to the orphanage, which also means that the ‘pay for the privilege of working’ funds are gone. Zip… no more. No warning, no notice, just gone.

Now it’s up to us to dig in our pockets and our hearts to see what we can do to help others. So many of us are truly blessed in our lives and we need to give back. We need to share. And more importantly, we need to care. Caring for others fills your heart and gives you purpose and direction in your life.

Please support our orphanage and our boys. And perhaps you’ll be a little more like me… instead of having one son… you’ll have 45 or 50 sons!

Thank you for taking the time to read about us… and enjoy the rest of the site.

Sincerely,

Diane Springer