December 11, 2018 We hope this report finds you well and indeed thriving. As always, it is really a pleasure to send you an update on our outreach with BIENESTAR and thank each of you for your support. The focus of the current work of BIENESTAR is in The Cooperative of Nuevo Horizonte, a small village in the northern PetÊn region of Guatemala. Their vision is to build a more equitable and just society through economic development that benefits the majority, while safeguarding the environment. This vision has a ripple effect within the region, and their achievements over the past year have been impressive. They have opened a new maternity center and recently established a fruit tree nursery. BIENESTAR’S partnership has supported three other projects that the Cooperative prioritized including a training program for diabetes health promoters and opening of the first Diabetes Health and Wellness Center in Northern Guatemala! Below is a brief overview of each of these three projects with accompanying photos that capture the joy, hard work, and indomitable spirit of our project partners. Student Scholarships: With your contributions, Bienestar provided $4,070 to subsidize the education of nine students.
While education within the community is technically free, our financial support assists with the purchase of school uniforms, textbooks and school supplies, and fees for field trips, all of which are compulsory and expensive. Beyond the community, education is largely private; therefore, our financial support assists the families and their children to cover the costs of registration and tuition as well. All nine-scholarship recipients were successful in their academic endeavors and are proceeding to their next year of studies. We received cards of appreciation from all of them, such as the one from Jocelyn, a student in her final year of studies in high school.
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