Please give me ten minutes of your time, and read over this. Please.
It all started with two. I met them on my first trip to Guatemala. Julie and I found the eldest digging for food in the trash. After buying him lunch and talking a bit, we found out about his brother, and how their parents had died three years before. Wilver was now 13, shinning shoes daily trying to provide for himself and his brother.
When I returned to Guatemala, this time for an indefinite stay, I made it my mission to help these two little Santiago orphans. With financial aid being sent from back home by none other than the one at my side when we found them, I have been able to provide a roof, food, and clothing for these boys. But the most important thing we have been able to offer them by far: An education. A future. The deal has always been that if they study… the help will continue. Without enrolling in and eventually finishing at least the sixth grade, these boys will never stand a fighting chance of escaping their situation. But now they are in, and loving it.
Weekly I drive to Santiago to see them… they are happier and happier to see me. They look better and better too. They have a new wardrobe, both casual and uniform for school. They take pride in their appearance now, because they can. They walk to school everyday, and enjoy telling me about their math classes and reading exercises.
I couldn’t do it alone. A pastor by the name of Don Romeo helps the boys immensely. He found them a room to rent (an empty dark, cinder block room), and invites the boys for dinner daily. He is able to keep an eye on them on days when I can’t, and gives me updates as best he can. But even he and his family struggle with poverty and its limits. He is a truly amazing man, who gives and gives.
Wilver and Irineo have come so far in so little time. I think more than anything, Julie and I have provided them hope.. and trust. Hope for tomorrow. And trust that help will be there. They are truly the most amazing human beings I’ve met… and have already lived through what most of us couldn’t even imagine.
Why am I writing this now? I am doing something that I never like doing… but now more than ever, I find the cause worthwhile. Wilver and Irineo are doing fine, and Julie continues to support me every month financially for them. The issue now, is that there are two more. Two more little Santiago boys have found their ways into my life. It started last week when Don Romeo told me that these two new fellows had noticed how much happier and well taken care of my boys have been. So, naturally, after being told by Wilver and Irineo about their American friend, they went knocking on Don Romeo’s door… looking for me. Ever since then, Don Romeo has been feeding them every night… but that is all he can do. So, Don Romeo asked if I could help two more. The most important thing is for them to get enrolled in school. Without even thinking, I said yes, and gave him the money for the enrollment fees. No one could have said no looking them in the eye. So, they are being enrolled in school. One of them, Milvar, does have parents… but apparently they are alcoholics, and most likely abusive. Needless to say, they can barely afford food for themselves, let alone pay for the education of their son. The other little boy, Jose, is in fact an orphan. He is one of THIRTEEN brothers and sisters, yet four of them died along with his parents about 4 years ago. I have yet to find out the cause of their death. So, he lives with 8 other siblings. He is twelve, and while most of the siblings are older, he has a younger brother of eight. I intend to find at least the 8 year old on my next visit… because I can only imagine his state. So the truth is, I have five. Five beautiful little boys… all whom I first found in the square of Santiago, hands stained black from the shoe polish they were slaves to every day. I have managed to drastically change the lives of two already… and I’m asking for your help to provide for these new three… and maybe even more like them in the future. I have been inspired to some how start a foundation to help orphans in Guatemala, all with the intentions of them graduating. I need to start somewhere though… and time is precious for these five miracles.
It does not take much to provide for them. Mainly, there are the initial expenses of enrollment, supplies and uniforms. Then, the expenses die way down, and only food, housing, and clothing become the issues. I take the boys grocery shopping every weekend for breakfast supplies. I buy them clean water, cereal, and milk to have in their room. I also buy them a pack of cookies and a juice box for every day of school, along with about $15 each that pays for lunch for a week. They continue to eat at Don Romeo’s house for dinner every night. It’s amazing to see how the boys liven up when provided three meals a day. It is truly inspiring.
So, what I am asking for, is whatever you can give. If it is $20 dollars, thank you. If it is more, thank you. If it is $1, thank you. If it is nothing, thank you. Really, I understand if you can’t. But if you can, there isn’t a more worthy cause. Even $1 can feed these boys for a day. The benefit of me being the one handling the money is that I can tell you where 100% of your money is going… directly to the boys. They will be helped, as long as they are studying in school. That has always been the deal. Education is their only ticket out of their situation. And I will help them indefinitely until they finish.
If you can give anything at all, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Even if every one of my facebook friends gave only $1, I would have more than enough to support the boys for a whole year. Thank you in advance. I will keep you all posted on the boys and their progress. God bless.
PS: If you do want to donate, please follow the link below:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=CRV479M47R89U
