Radical Missions October Newsletter |
Radical Missions is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-government organization (NGO) funded by private contributions. We work solely in the country of Guatemala in Central America. We are not affiliated with any corporation, single church, or other organization. Donations made to Radical are tax deductible.
|
|
|
I can still remember the car ride from Chuatzunuj to San Lucas to transfer the land for the clinic from Nicolás to Radical Mission. A person knows their body better than anyone else and Nicolás knew his days were numbered. He told me to promise to take care of his daughters as if they were my own. And he realized that Lucia, his wife, was not much older than me but he still made me promise to look after her too. Of course, Patty and I were already taking care of the entire family at that point as Nicolás' time on this earth was coming to an end. We went to the same attorney (Luis) in San Lucas that married Patty and I. We had a great relationship with Luis, so it was worth the drive. Plus it gave Nicolás and I half a day to spend together for what would be the last time. Though I had only known Nicolás for a handful of years, we always had a father/son type relationship and I respected him so much. Sadly, Nicolás died in July of diabetes only weeks after the transfer of the land. |
|
|
Radical Missions has always had the mentality of giving a hand up instead of a hand out. So, we had to figure a way to support Lucia, Ingrid, and Manuela without handing them money. We knew the 3 ladies could sew but what could we come up with to help the ladies make a living on their own? We also were mindful of the fact that women providing for their own families was not culturally accepted yet. |
|
|
The Java Sweater Program. The head of our board, Stephen Cassar, came down with his daughter, Taylor, right after Nicolás' death and we started to figure out some type of program. As we were walking through the market in Antigua Taylor said "what if ?". What if we could find one commonly used product and have it handcrafted by real Guatemalan widows? What if we could do this and pay the widows a salary designed to end the cycle of poverty? And what if we could help the environment at the same time? From this simple idea evolved the Java Sweater you see today. |
|
|
The Java Sweater program helped Lucia provide for her family, supplementing the money she made from farming corn and beans. Lucia is one of the hardest workers I have ever met and has become the leader of the house. Though it has been hard on her, she is a great example to her girls Ingrid and Manuela, and other ladies in the community. Lucia is in charge of the Java Sweater program and has many other widows that make Java sweaters to help support their families as well. |
|
|
Over the years Ingrid and Manuela have grown up to be wives and mothers. Patty and I have had the chance to be like another mom and dad to these two girls. The promise that was made to Nicolás was an easy one. We love these girls as if they were are own. As the girls have gotten older, they have accepted Patty as more of a big sister. Pictured here is Ingrid with two of her children Meily and Ian. Manuela is also married and has one daughter named Nataly Suavely. |
|
|
This past year Ingrid got pregnant again and because of her age, she had to be medically watched closely. Dr Jesika De Silva took care of her throughout her pregnancy. Dr. Jesika had monthly ultrasounds taken to monitor the baby's growth as well as position and water level. A few weeks ago the baby's position was not good so, Dr Jesika set up an appointment for a C-section. Last week Ingrid went into the hospital and delivered her third child and 2nd daughter yet to be named. Though Patty started calling the baby Princess Leia, maybe that will end up being her name. But Praise God Ingrid and the baby are healthy!
|
|
|
If you truly feel compelled and would like to make a monetary donation, we will accept it, and will direct it to the infrastructure project of your choosing. Schools, Clean Water, Medical (Mini-Hospital). We are also working on a micro loan program to buy more kits (a kit contains 'wire' and tags sufficient to make 100 Java Sweaters) to get more widows started in their own Java Sweater business.
...one life at a time
|
|
|
|
|
