Charity in Central America

[Scootergal]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a charity in a Central American country?

My daughter and I don't exchange birthday or xmas gifts - instead we buy each other a chicken or a goat from Oxfam - last year I bought her a "Patch of Sky" from the Royal Flying Doctors... you get the idea.

Her birthday is in a few weeks and she is heading to Central America. She was supposed to meet Al Farland (the young lad who was killed a month ago on his bike) and spend Xmas with him in Cuba - so this year it will be particularly hard for her. Al's parents are also contributing so I'd like to find a legitimate charity where real people will actually benefit.

Any suggestions?

[kalaharigeorge]

Hiya Scooter,

Mick Quinn, Integral Heart in Antigua, Guatemala. Integral Heart Foundation - Guatemala

Message me if you want his email address.

Originally Posted by Scootergal

Does anyone have a recommendation for a charity in a Central American country?

My daughter and I don't exchange birthday or xmas gifts - instead we buy each other a chicken or a goat from Oxfam - last year I bought her a "Patch of Sky" from the Royal Flying Doctors... you get the idea.

Her birthday is in a few weeks and she is heading to Central America. She was supposed to meet Al Farland (the young lad who was killed a month ago on his bike) and spend Xmas with him in Cuba - so this year it will be particularly hard for her. Al's parents are also contributing so I'd like to find a legitimate charity where real people will actually benefit.

Any suggestions?

[AndyT]

A couple of places I have personally visited, and can say that they are real, and appear to have very low overhead are:


www.safepassage.org primarily a school for young children in Guatemala City, with offices in Antigua Guatemala, and Yarmouth , Maine, USA


www.quetzaltrekkers.com a backpacking guide service in Xela Guatemala and Leon Nicaragua. Volunteer run, and 100% of profits are used to support feeding and educating children. I have done two trips with them.


I have heard good things about, but have no personal experience with www.mayanfamilies.org in Panajachel Guatemala.

[coors]

Nice gift idea you do with your daughter, I like it.

+ 1
for Mick Quinn, Integral Heart fundation in Antigua, Guatemala.

Integral Heart Foundation - Guatemala

Great organisation really helping the kids out, great guy, and he is a rider in his spare time


Safe passage is a great organisation too, don't know the others

[Scootergal]

Thanks guys. I'll check out all the links.

[Kayjay]

Wonderful to know about your charity. God bless

[ThirtyOne]

I have also hiked with quetzaltrekkers and they're definitely a great group. On the other side, you can check out Kiva, which makes you a partner with grassroots entrepreneurs. You provide loans to finance small businesses which is huge for these people. Then they repay the loan and you can reinvest the money. It's a gift that keeps giving.