Source: NISGUA

 

By Lara Barth

 

Six days.  Help us make our goal of getting donations for over 100 drawing tickets in the next six days.

 

What could happen in Guatemala in the next six days?  Well, some of the things that have taken place in the past 30 days are:

 

Ms. Diodora Antonia Hernández Cinto is part of a resistance movement against the human rights violations being committed by the company Montana Exploradora, the subsidiary of Goldcorp Inc that is operating the Marlin mine.  On Wednesday,  July 7th, 2010 she was shot in the head in her own home.

 

On July 2, at 4:30pm, on the road from San Antonio to the Marlin mine, Juan Méndez was walking along the street when a truck, labeled "Special," from Perez Transports, approached him.  When the truck was 50 feet from Juan, the driver crossed over to the other side of the road and tried to hit him. Juan escaped by climbing up an embankment. Juan is well known for his opposition to the Marlin mine.

 

On July 5, at 6:30pm, the two daughters of Gregoria Crisanta Pérez, a well-known organizer and activist, were walking home from school in the village of Agel. A car crossed over to their side of the road, with the intent of hitting the girls. It was identified as a Montana/Goldcorp company car.

 

Edgar Perez, a lawyer in Jennifer Harbury's case, came home with his family two weeks ago to find that his house had been broken into. Some money was stolen from a special closet, but the house was also ransacked. Someone also tampered with his car.

 

Congress member Nineth Montenegro (co-founder of GAM, the Mutual Support Group, in 1984) continues receiving very serious death threats.

 

These are the people taking real chances. 

 

As you all know, NISGUA has been working alongside our Guatemalan partners for the past twenty-five years, standing with them in solidarity in the struggle for the human rights of all people in Guatemala--and the world.  NISGUA couldn't do this work without serious fund-raising efforts, and that means involving you.  Once a year, generous donors contribute prizes to entice even more folks to give.  So now we need you to make their donations worthwhile for NISGUA.  

 

We need you to donate $25 and multiples of $25 and receive chances to win fabulous prizes at the same time as you support NISGUA and our Guatemalan partners.  

 

You can participate by going to nisgua.org and buying tickets online, or you can send an email to Sue Ellen Kingsley sueellen@nisgua.org and tell her how many tickets you'll be sending checks for.  Make out the checks to NISGUA and send them to NISGUA Chance for Peace, Sue Ellen Kingsley, 53044 State Hwy M203, Hancock MI 49930. 

 

You donate.  We all win.  

 

THANKS, Sue Ellen Kingsley

 

 

Grand Prize   (1)   One round trip airline ticket to Guatemala.  If winner prefers not to travel to Guatemala the winner can choose a destination in the continental United States.  Winner must contact NISGUA at least six weeks before desired dates of travel.  Travel restrictions will apply. The grand prize winner will also receive a free week of language school at La Minerva Intensive Spanish School in Xela, Guatemala.  Language school includes a homestay with a Guatemalan family, a private bedroom, three meals a day, five hours of private Spanish lessons, daily cultural activities, and all materials (www.xelapages.com/minerva)

 

   

Second Prize  (1)  A matted woodcut print from artist and activist Marilyn Anderson.  Examples of artist's work can be viewed at www.ProArteMaya.org.

 

Third Prize (2)  $100 gift certificate from Heart of the Sky Fair Trade.  Winners can choose $100 of merchandise from www.HeartOfTheSkyFairTrade.com.

 

Fourth Prize  (1) One hardcover copy of Rescatando Nuestra Memoria, the newest book from long time NISGUA friend and award winning photographer Jonathan Moller. 

 

Fifth Prize  (1) Two nights (plus breakfast) in the private residence of Chris and John Sutton.  Chris and John are NISGUA supporters and GAP sponsoring community members who live in Arlington, Virginia, an easy trip to Washington, DC.  Perfect for your plans to lobby Congress!  

  

 

Rescatando Nuestra Memoria  A softcover copy of Jonathan Moller's latest book.  Fair Trade Crafts A grab bag of fair trade textiles and gifts from Upavim (Unidas Para Vivir Mejor) and Mayan Hands.  (www.UpavimCrafts.org  and www.MayanHands.org) Gift Basket A delicious assortment of fair trade and organic treats from Equal Exchange.  (www.EqualExchange.coop) Huipiles (2) Gorgeous handmade Guatemalan blouses.  Fajas  (2) Exquisite handmade Guatemalan belts/cinches.  (The huipiles and the fajas are courtesy of Heather Dean, NISGUA Board Member)   Fair Trade Coffee Six 12 oz. bags of coffee from Just Coffee in Madison, Wisconsin (www.JustCoffee.coop.)  Microbrew Beer A case (four six packs) of award-winning microbrew beer from Furthermore Beer in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  (www.FurthermoreBeer.com)  Fair Trade Chocolate Two cases (20 3.5 oz. bars!) of delicious Divine Chocolate (www.DivineChocolate.com) Handmade Soap  An assortment of yummy smelling soaps from Filthy Farm Girl (www.FilthyFarmGirl.com)