A Visit to the El Chocolate School in Guatemala

I recognize this man as a leader from El Chocolate where school #4 is located. It is also where they put up a memorial for Mom, and said a prayer when we put her ashes next to a tree planted by the school. The man spoke about his mother, and how special she was to him, and he lost her a year earlier.

On another trip (the mission when we constructed the playground at Pocoxpan school), he heard we would be there, so he and the village committee traveled to meet up with us. They want to give us weavings of thanks for their school, water, stoves, and latrines.

Last January several of us had a chance to visit El Chocolate school and play games and do arts and crafts with the children. This is one of my favorite villages because of the people - they are so humble, grateful, proud, and hard working.

"Sponsor "Pigs for a Poor Family".

Holiday shopping is easy and tax deductible! You can donate $50 to sponsor two pigs and a flock of chickens for a Guatemalan family. "Miracles" will mail to you a acknowledgment card to give as a gift.

Donations can be mailed to:

Miracles in Action,
241 Countryside Dr.,
Naples, FL 34104

or use Paypal on our website.

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The Opening of Two Schools in the Huehuetenango, Guatemala Area

Hello Friends of Miracles,

Thank you to all who voted, and promoted Miracles in Action's American Express grant project. We came in #21 of 25, and feel honored to have been selected in the Top 25. We encourage those of you who are an Am Ex card member to vote again for the project that will receive $1.5 million as #1.

In reviewing the Top 5 winning projects, we would appreciate your support of "Loans That Change Lives". The link below takes you to their project and a short video on KIVA - a microcredit loan non-profit that believes in the same philosophy as Miracles in Action - to help poor people to help themselves. Small business loans make so much more sense in breaking the cycle of poverty, and teaching people how to fish so they eat for a life time, rather than giving them fish, where they only eat for a day.

If KIVA wins, Miracles in Action will apply for funding on loans for women in Guatemala. Volunteer Fred Zambroski is seeking loans to help women set up daycare centers as a business and offer early childhood stimulus to the toddlers who attend (reading, games, learning values like sharing with other kids....) The daycares will also allow mothers to work and bring in money for the family and self esteem for themselves. Fred needs funding for this very worthwhile project, and if KIVA wins the American Express grant, we may be able to help these women set up daycare centers - a BIG win-win. Some of you may remember Fred because he filmed several of our school opening celebrations, and edited the footage, making wonderful videos for us to share.

Here is the link to the KIVA project- "Loans That Change Lives" - please vote. Thanks again for your support in getting us into the Top 25 - the exposure has helped Miracles in Action.

QUICK UPDATE: Eight of us just returned from Guatemala and the opening of two more schools, located in the Huehuetenango area, high in the mountains at 9,000' elevation. It is so cold at night and the women and girls wear a towel around their shoulders, because they are too poor to buy a sweater or jacket.

Thanks to American Airlines, we were able to bring all students and mothers an AA First Class quilt (one of the gray duvets used for our Europe and transcon flights). AA donated 100s of them to Miracles. Each of the mothers with babies and grandmothers received one of Ruth Laroe or Marie Senechal's beautiful handmade quilts. And, each child got a backpack with school supplies, a warm knit hat and mittens, and they picked a toy (for most kids, it was their first toy). The teachers received teaching supplies and skin cream with SPF - to use on the children with burned and wind chapped lips, hands and faces. We purchased the cream from As Green As It Gets - a Guatemala based charity that helps set up businesses for local people - our cream was made by Maria Benita - a new entrepreneur.

Thank you to John Mincieli - donor of the construction funds to build School of Miracles #19 in Cumbre de la Botija, and thank you to AA Flight Attendant Marla Zell for building School #18 in Captzincito, a beautiful memorial to her teacher parents - Edward and Maureen Talton. You just can't imagine how grateful and happy these villagers are to be able to send their children to school. They gave us certificates of appreciation, and two of the committee members (both women) were unable to sign their name. They used a thumb print on our certificates.

Now with a school, future generations will be able to read, write and get ahead. Thank you also, to Alirio Ochoa of PEILE, our partner charity that coordinated the project, and to all the villagers who put in hours of hard labor to build the two schools. School #19 took just 32 days, non-stop 6AM-6PM to build , with no machinery!

Thank you too, to Magdalena LaVerdiere, for funding the fuel efficient, safe stoves for each family in San Antonio - where her school #15 is located. We had a chance to speak with the women and see the stoves in action. They LOVE their stoves which use much less wood and vent the smoke from the house.

A few of our favorite photos from this trip:

Big smiles for the new quilts, much warmer than a towels they have been using to stay warm in the highlands.

Thumbs up for the new vented stove, saving 70% wood usage, and for the new Captzincito School #18 - thank you Marla Zell.

These women use their thumb print to sign their name. Neither went to school and they are illiterate. This makes them determined to have their own children get an education. Both are on the committee board responsible for building Cumbre School.

John Mincieli funded the construction of Cumbre School. Here he is with 4 students of the school. The women knit him this hat. They do not know John lives in Florida and the hat is too warm and also, pretty cute looking on him.

As always,
Penny
Penny Rambacher, R.D.

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"Miracles" Makes It To The Top 25 American Express Member Projects

Opening day of School #9 Dr. Subczynski (donor) with La Pila students


Miracles in Action's grant project made it to the Top 25 by American Express - 513 votes.

Here is what some of our supporters are doing to get the VOTE:

* Clark Tours sent an email blast to 5,000 of their customers and email routing. Their website has a new page on SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, and how they can help Miracles with votes.
http://www.clarktours.com.gt/index.php?showPage=1530&Op=&parentId=933

* Friends Through Guatemalan Adoptions has put us on their homepage. http://www.ftga.net/joomla/ and blasted all the parents with an email for votes.

* The Joseph Family, who built School #11, sent out a blast to over 1,000 AFS Wheels customers.

* American Airlines Flight Services posted the votes for Miracles as a home page link.

* Ann Fron, who sponsored School #12, made a flyer and blasted it to her many contacts and friends. Ann talks so much about her school and kids, that her list of contacts who know about Miracles is looong.

* Londa's creative Threads added us to their BLOG.

* Each of our partner charities has sent out email blasts to their donors, board members and friends.

If we make it to the Top 5 - we will get between $100,000 to 1.5 million to go to teacher training and vocational schools. That money would go a long way for our little grassroots charity.

To view the project and vote you can go here:
http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/IH4YNF

Let's get out there and win this $$$$$

Penny



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News From Amigos de Patzún (ADP)

Dear Friends of Miracles,

Below is Amigo de Patzun's recent newsletter about ADP/Miracle's teacher training program. Their website provides a bit more info. Cute photo of Angie Torres, our Naples, FL volunteer teacher who was a big hit with the kids and teachers. Coming soon.... Skype live teacher training from Naples, FL to Patzun, Guatemala.

Naples teacher, Xenia, with Cojobal students

September 7, 2007
Dear Penny,
Amigos de Patzún (ADP) started the summer with some exciting news. This June, ADP partnered with Miracles in Action, a NGO active in Guatemala, to expand the scope of activities to support education for rural students. This collaboration has allowed us to bring on our local director, Anacleto Catu, on board full-time. Anacleto is the key to ADP's success in many ways, and we have no doubt that by fully dedicating his efforts to the organization, ADP scholars and aspirants will benefit exponentially .

Anacleto is helping to develop the training program, in collaboration with US experts from Miracles in Action, to provide in-service training on reading and other key skill in some of Patzún's rural primary schools. Anacleto will provide follow-up, management, and oversight of the program and be instrumental in adapting materials to the local context. Visit http://www.amigosdepatzun.org/

Salud, The Amigos de Patzún Board

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New Projects in Patzun, Guatemala

Hi Everyone,

I had a good visit with Anacleto and family in Patzun, Guatemala. Fred took these 3 photos. One is Anacleto's adorable kids. His daughter has been terrified of me, but when I put together the little Winnie the Pooh airplane that my neighbor Rod gave me, she is now coming around to kind-of liking me. I got a big hug when I left.

The two photos on the bottom are a building and large piece of land that may be available to create a vocational school/workshops. It was built for that purpose but never finished.

It is 1 km from the center of Patzun. The building belongs to the Muni. Anacleto will do more research to find out about turning it in to a vocational center.

Our Naples teachers had the idea of creating a teacher resource center in Patzun so teachers can borrow teaching materials, equipment, CDs and books. It fits so well as part of a Riecken library, which is more a community learning center than a book lending library.

Fred too had a great idea about starting an "adopt a pre-school" program. As many as 40% of 1st graders either fail or drop out of 1st grade. Many schools do not offer kindergarden, and the children enter school without even speaking Spanish.

He suggests using an existing building, and hiring new grad teachers who can not get jobs, plus volunteer teachers, and then offering educational activities, books and toys at pre-school... then you will have a greater chance of a 1st grader being successful in primary school. He is developing a package on how someone can adopt a preschool, and what that would include. Cool idea.

Take care, Penny

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A "Miracles" Supported Project For Adolescent Girls In Xela, Guatmala

Here is a report from Casey Weimer who implemented the adolescent girls project in Xela, Guatemala:

Dear Penny and "Miracles",
I wanted to send you a quick update on the progress of the project Lauren and I worked on this summer in Guatemala. We ended up with a group of 19 girls, ages 13-19, that attend the courses three times a week for 2 hours in the afternoon. These are girls that, for the most part, don't have the opportunity to study (very few have even completed 6th grade - and none have gone on past 6th grade).

We focused a lot of our time on establishing a safe space where the girls feel comfortable opening up in front of their peers. We opened with a self-portrait project (now and in ten years) and followed up with a day-in-my-life photography project. We were especially able to see a growth in their self-confidence when the girls shared their favorite photographs.

Lessons that followed included self-esteem, gender roles, nutrition, hygiene, and "our bodies". The group has continued meeting since our departures and classes have included family planning, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, and more.

A highlight of our time there was a field trip with all of the girls, Armida (the health promotor -who has been extremely helpful), Alirio and Alexa. We had a conference with a doctor who works mostly with indigenous people and then did some touristy activities at Lake Atitlan. The girls also painted a mural in the Puesto de Salud.

As far as sustainability is concerned, we have 3 peer leaders selected who are supposed to be leading the courses (although it sounds like Armida has mostly taken over) and 2 members of a junta directiva. All 5 of these girls will be meeting weekly in Xela with volunteers to learn about computers and establish communication between us and them.

An additional objective of the meetings will be to become more familiar with the course material so they feel comfortable facilitating the courses. Their next task will be tackling how they would like to pass on the information (community fair, new group, nearby communities, etc.) and how they can raise funding themselves to sustain the program.

We are very excited about the progress made and anxious to see where the program goes.

I am required to do a research project for school so my plan is to head back to Guatemala next summer to continue working with the project - if I don't make it out sooner.

Thank you so much for your support.

Regards, Casey

girls enrolled in the Xela Project

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Miracles in Action - Report #2 (in Spanish)

This report has clips from Magdalena's #15 school opening in Huehuetenango area.

It shows the "before" stoves and how much smoke is inside the houses. They interview Ann Fron (donor for School #12) her husband Frank Pravado (donor of the stoves for Ann's village) and Maureen and Jack Green who are building School #20 - which opens Jan. 2009.

Even if someone does not speak Spanish, these are very visual.

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Miracles in Action - Report #1 (in Spanish)

While this report is in Spanish, you will get some idea of the work being done.

It includes video coverage from Bob Hennessey's #14 school opening and me talking about Mom building the first school.

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Video About Miracles In Action

Please Help Us Obtain An American Express Grant To Continue Our Work

Your help is requested to help us to obtain an American Express grant. This year American Express is going to fund the winning projects with $2.5 million:

* $1,500,000 for the winning project
* $500,000 for the 2nd place project
* $300,000 for the 3rd place project
* $100,000 each for the two remaining finalist projects

The funding will be provided to the organizations that have been matched with the final five projects.

Please take a few minutes of your time to register and vote for our organization. There is no cost to you other than taking a few minutes out to help a good cause.

AE nominating instructions:

1. Go to http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/IH4YNF
2. Click on "Nominate This Project" under picture.
3. A window will drop down under where you clicked the Nominate button.
4. Click on "Sign up as a Guest Member" link.
5. On the page that comes up, enter the requested information.
6. Click "sign up" button
7. You will return to the original page where you started.
8. Click again on "Nominate This Project" under picture. This will enter your vote.

Thank you for your efforts and your help!

Penny

School of Miracles #18 in Captzincito, Huehuetenango

This is the story of School of Miracles #18 in Captzincito, Huehuetenango - 9-10 hours from Guatemala City. At 9,000' elevation it is freezing cold, and there is no electricity or running water. This is the little village we visited in the dark after San Antonio School #15's grand opening in January 2008.

BEFORE: The photo shows the mud floor, dark hut with wood benches, where lessons are given by one teacher . Girl wears a towel.

BEFORE: The girls and mothers often wear a towel on their shoulders to stay warm. They are too poor to afford sweaters and jackets. Everyone had chapped, wind and sun burned hands, faces, and lips.

DURING: Village men build their children a school in the cloud mist. The weather is often damp and cold at 9,000'.

AFTER: Students holding their AA First Class quilt and wearing the sweaters we sent for the girls. This warms my heart, and certainly warms up the children.

AFTER: This school was funded by AA Flight Attendant Marla Zell, who learned about my mother, Noreen Rambacher, leaving a legacy of learning, and wanting to do the same for her parents. Marla's parents (Edward and Maureen Talton) were educators. Both passed away in 2007.

Their daughter is honoring her parents with this gift that continues to give - the gift of education. A thousand thanks (Mil gracias) to Marla and Bob Zell - you are a Miracle in Action

For more information on funding the construction materials to build a school or how you can donate school supplies, books and supplies, contact:
Penny Rambacher
Miracles in Action
241 Countryside Dr.
Naples, FL 34104
239-348-0815
www.MiraclesInAction.org a 501(c)(3) charity

Letter to a Book Donor

Hi Linda,

Last week the Florida teacher volunteers returned from Guatemala, where they implemented a teacher training project that focuses on reading. Your donated books were a big part of the supplies we delivered and taught the rural Guatemalan teachers how to best use in teaching the students to read.

We are now planning the future of this project. It has worked well in two rural schools (both built with funds from Miracles in Action), and now we are ready to take the program to other schools. Of course we need lots of books.

The American teachers are developing a program using a Skype tele-training office in a large town nearest to our schools. Also, they are planning to film their lessons so that teachers without Skype tele-training can also learn how to teach reading.

Attached are a few photos of the kids reading the books you shipped. Thought you would enjoy seeing how your donation has benefited some very poor children, who are totally grateful for the blessing of books.

I know the kids look "rich" in their native dress, but in reality, these girls only own one or two traditional outfits, and they wear it every day, and night - they sleep in them too. They are woven by their mothers or grandmothers on a back strap loom.

The boys don't wear traditional clothing. Most of their fathers are farmers or laborers, and they are dirt poor, living on about $1 per day. I am sure you knew this, but if you share this email with your donors, they may not be aware of this level of extreme poverty.

Many thanks for making a difference,

Penny

Largest Project To Date: Vocational Center in Santa Cruz at Lake Atitlan

Hi Everyone,

This is Miracles in Action's largest project to date... we are helping to fund the construction of a vocational center in Santa Cruz at Lake Atitlan. Below is Amigos de Santa Cruz's Director-Pat Torpie's news, and a few photos from the ground breaking celebration. Donors for this project are John DeStefano, Janusz Subczynski, Noreen and Henry Rambacher, and Miracles in Action.

Local residents will learn trades to help their communities be more self sufficient, and earn a living from higher paid jobs. Again - helping poor people to help themselves.

If you are interested contributing towards this worthwhile project, we are seeking funds for equipment and furniture for the classrooms and workshops.

Thank you all,
Penny
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Message from Pat:

Hi Penny,

I wanted to let you know what a incredibly great success our Primera Piedra Ceremony was on Friday. I so wish you could have been there to see the faces of all the people young and old, gringo and indigenous, students, alcalde, judges, dignataries, old women, mothers with babies on their back all carrying blocks down to the building site where their new building will begin construction today. All had big smiles on their faces and in some cases tears in their eyes when the first block was laid. Lots of good feelings and tomales for all!

Miracle's commitment and support for this project was acknowledges and applauded.. when you come, I hope that Caroline can meet you here and show you around, though there really won't be much to see yet. Its all very exciting!

Pat

Who We Are

“Give a child a fish and he eats for a day. Give a child a fishing lesson and he eats for a life time.”
--Penny Rambacher

Why do we work in rural Guatemala?
Sometimes we are asked “Why not help the poor in our country?” In the US there are poor people, but there are also government and social programs to assist the poor. In Guatemala there are no such programs. The poor in Guatemala are at the level of "extreme poverty", defined by Economist Jeffery Sach (author of "The End of Poverty") as - when every day is a struggle just to be alive - no basics like food, water, and warm shelter, surviving on less than $1 per day.

The poor in Guatemala are not looking for a "hand out"; they are hoping for a "hand up". They want to educate their children, possibly learn a vocational trade, and have safe drinking water in a secure home. They do not want to leave their villages and come illegally to the US for a job, so their family can survive.

Where the idea started?
Extreme poverty can lead to poor families living at garbage dumps scavenging for something to eat or sell. They know no other way to survive. This highlights what they, and others, have done to "Help Poor People to Help Themselves.”

Because we are a volunteer organization, 100% of all donations go directly to our projects. Administrative expenses are funded by the sale of handicrafts produced in Guatemala's cottage industry.

Additionally, the sale of handicrafts provides the Mayan women an opportunity to earn an income from their home while taking care of their children. If not for the handicraft industry, these women would need to work hard labor in the fields picking coffee and corn for 12 hour shifts away from home.

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