01/17/11

By Dinah Shaw

The tropical storm Agatha hit Guatemala on May 28, 2010 killing people, destroying buildings and leaving hundreds of families homeless. In this year so full of natural disasters ranging from Haiti to China, it does not seem so particular, but when it happens practically in our back yard (I live in Antigua), it is a much greater shock. The tragedy is so much present that it triggers all our mechanisms of response.

I expressed my grief and concern in a email to my friends, and one of them, a former classmate from the American School in Guatemala, was kind enough to send me a substantial contribution for the victims of Agatha.

Happy as I was with my friend's contribution, I then found myself with a problem. I did not want to give the money to an NGO, or any other organization fearing that not all the money would reach those in need, since it is logical to surmise that part of the contributions would go to the organization's own administrative needs. I wanted to give the money directly to the victims. 

I asked around but no one seemed to have any good ideas. So, I asked my maid, Natalia, if she knew anyone who was a victim of the storm and needed help. She said she knew of an old man named Don Tino who had worked with her father on a finca (coffee plantation) nearby. Right after the storm she had run across Don Tino, crying, sitting in the park of San Miguel Escobar with his dog.  He had barely escaped alive when the torrents of rain destroyed his house and everything he owned. 

So, we jumped in the car and went to see Don Tino. He took us to his land, now totally bare, as  many other properties in the neighborhood. The rain had brought down boulders destroying everything in their path. I asked Don Tino if he would like help in rebuilding his house but he feared that if he built again on his land, he could suffer the same destruction again; something quite probable. 

Next to us a man, who turned out to be Don Tino's son-in-law, was busy rebuilding his house. I asked him if he needed help in purchasing materials and he said “no” because he was already receiving help from Padre Walter at the church in Ciudad Vieja, the municipality to which San Miguel belongs. I said to Don Tino: “Take me to Padre Walter”, and off we went. 

I met Padre Walter, who explained to me that the parishoners had worked hard collecting money,  donations contributed by other people in the area, who are themselves quite poor. Then, he and the members of the different parish groups, developed a plan to rebuild houses in sets of eight, to be assigned to families in accordance with their need. 

Padre Walter, or just plain Walter as he calls himself, had the person in charge of the project take us to a place where houses were being built.  It was truly impressive and I returned the next day with a friend to take pictures, which I will be glad to share with you if you wish.

The donations of money are used to purchase building materials and all the labor is donated by the people in the area, organized in teams and all the work is done on Saturdays and Sundays. The men do the actual building and the women provide food and drink for the working teams.  

The houses are all built of concrete block and rebar and are very sturdy. They measure about 25'5 by 9'1 and each have a bathroom with running water. However basic and meager this may seem to you, it is more than most of these people have ever had. Each house costs approximately $1800 in materials and all labor, with an estimated value is of ….., is donated by the volunteer work teams of the parish.

I was very happy to be able to give my friend's donation to Father Walter with complete confidence that it would be put to the best possible use and make the greatest contribution to people in real need. My friend's money was used to buy cement . 

I am setting up a fund to help Padre Walter with his most worthwhile project. The money will be used to help the victims of Agatha directly. I am asking all my friends and family to consider making a contribution toward this worthy cause. Any amount will be greatly appreciated, $10, $25, or whatever you wish to give.

These people are very poor and grateful for any help they can get. The average annual salary of the majority of Guatemalans is $1680 (2008).

I will be more than happy to send pictures of progress made on the building and provide any further information you might wish. 

If you are willing to make a donation, no matter how small, you can mail a check to me at PO Box 669004 A-493, Miami Springs FL 33266. You can also email me or call me for more details at 415-821-1025 (no international telephone charges).

I thank all of you for reading this email and for any contribution you wish to make.  Remember, that all of us live better than 85% of the world's population. Here is a chance to help some of those people.