Thursday, May 14, 2009







SPORT SHOES FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS.

One of the requirements of the Physical Education Class at the Panabaj and Chukumuk School is that the students need to bring sport shoes. Many of the families can’t afford them as they are an extra expense for the weak economy of the family. A new pair of sport shoes costs around $20 so normally the children do physical education using plastic shoes, which are the most affordable (around $5). Every year, the students from the Panabaj and Chukumuk School who are sponsored through our Child Education/Health Sponsorship receive a new pair of sport shoes so they can go to the Physical Education Class well equipped.

Saturday, April 18, 2009


First Presbyterian Church
San Luis Obispo
building the new hospital

Sunday, April 12, 2009


(Click on the photo to enlarge it)

Thursday, April 09, 2009


K'aslimaal president, Francisco Sojuel founded ADISA and is internationally known for his work on behalf of people with disabilities. He just returned to Atitlán after a three week workshop in Eugene, Oregon. Sixteen people from Latin America participated in the workshop called, "International Leadership, Employment and DIsabilities", part of "I Lead", a Professional Exchange Program.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009















ANNALISA’S FUNDRAISER BRINGS A PHOTOCOPY MACHINE TO THE PANABAJ SCHOOL

The children in Panabaj school do not have money to purchase school books. The school relies on photocopies of exercise, worksheets and other materials to provide the children with the information needed to learn.

The teachers at the Panabaj School won’t have to worry any more about getting money to photocopy exercises and exams. This is all THANKS to Annalisa’s fundraising idea!!! Annalisa, a typical teenage girl from New Hampshire who was born in Guatemala celebrated her ‘quinceañera’ (15th birthday) and decided to use this as an opportunity to do something truly altruistic. She asked her birthday guests not to buy presents for her, but instead to make a donation to the Panabaj School .

When Carolyn, Annalisa’s mother, contacted Pueblo a Pueblo, Inc. explaining their wish to donate to the Panabaj School we discussed several options and jointly decided to use the gift to purchase a photocopier.

It has taken some time to coordinate everything but Annalisa’s dream has come true! The Panabaj School Teachers were pleased as peaches when they saw the machine arriving and couldn’t stop telling Montse (Pueblo a Pueblo’s sponsorship coordinator) to please thank Annalisa in their names.

The photocopy/scanner/printer machine has been placed in the only secure room the school has. Unfortunately, the Panabaj School is still in a temporary location with classrooms made out of plywood.

We want to send a big THANK YOU to Annalisa for her dream. We at Pueblo a Pueblo feel honored to have been able to be a bridge for this endeavor. May Annalisa’s fundraising idea be an inspiration for those who wish to empower less fortunate individuals one person at a time!

Wednesday, April 01, 2009


¡Feliz Cumpleaños Hospitalito!

Today, Hospitalito Atitlán celebrated it's fourth birthday with chocolate cake and coffee for all of the staff and medical volunteers. Three babies were born this morning at HA this morning too, so there were many celebrating.

Monday, March 30, 2009


Evelyn’s Basket of Love and Life

Jane Bartel and Susan Moretz of North Carolina surprised HA when they came to visit and delivered Evelyn’s Baskets of Love and Life. Jane’s baby granddaughter Evelyn was born with a cleft palette. The team that worked to correct baby Evelyn’s mouth included a Guatemalan surgeon Dr. Figueroa. In the course of recovery, Dr. Figueroa told Jane that sadly many Guatemalan babies born with cleft palates die of starvation, because of their inability to nurse. As baby Evelyn grew, Jane thought about the families with little to offer their new babies.

Jane decided to make a difference in their lives and offer hope to the families. She works with Felix Santizo, of San Lucas Tolimán, and has helped Guatemalan families and their babies with their operations and recovery. Evelyn’s Baskets contain a breast pump, two specially designed bottles with nipples that are meant for newborns with cleft palettes, two less expensive bottles that will adapt to the special nipples, two tea towels and detergent, so that the bottles are kept clean. There is also a book of photos of newborn babies before their surgery, and later when they are recovered. The Baskets are meant to give HOPE to the families. The photos were amazing.

When Dra. Suzana told the women of a baby born at HA in late December who had not gained weight so that he could have his first surgery, Jane wanted to meet the family and deliver the Basket herself. Social workers, Chonita and Chenta, and Kathy Roach accompanied the women to visit the family in Panabaj. Because the baby could never nurse, the mother can no longer breastfeed, so Jane purchased formula for three months.

Jane also left an Evelyn’s Basket at Hospitalito Atitlán with the instructions to call Felix in San Lucas when a baby with cleft palette is born. Felix will come to talk with the family and help them through the first difficult days of using the new baby bottles.

Thank all of you for you inspiring work which makes a huge difference in the lives of so many familes!