Houses to Homes In Guatemala

Posted by Pixelhead

The Viola’s, friends of ours just left for Guatemala on a missions trip with From Houses to Homes an organization that makes homes for the poor of Guatemala. Kate and Dave and their three kids are making the trip for the second time. Last year however, they did not take their youngest, but are taking her this year.

Check out the Viola’s video below, and if you think you would like to help the Viola’s out, visit the Fromhousestohomes.org site to find out how you can either become part of next years missions trip to build some homes for the poor of Guatemala or how you can make a tax deductible donation to help out this years trip.

Technorati Tags: missions trips,Guatemala

Want to go on the Trip?

Be part of a service team and come to Guatemala to help build a new home for a needy family. No experience necessary. We ask that you donate $500.00 per person plus pay for your own airfare and living expense. We can make arrangements for you to live with a Guatemalan host family or stay at a hotel.
For a donation of $1,500: Build one new home and affix a plaque with your name on the home honoring your donation.

Maybe next year I will be able to go.

How about you, does a missions trip to help out the less fortunate interest you?

UPDATE:

The Violas had a good trip, I will be encouraging them to make another video to share their experience. We had dinner with Kate the other night, and her stories were amazing. Here is the a link to a video I made about our dinner with Kate and her daughter.

Written by Pixelhead on July 14th, 2008 with 20 comments.
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20 comments

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Wayne
#1. July 15th, 2008, at 12:01 AM.

I would be scared silly to leave the country and head into South America! I’m glad there are those brave enough to do these types of acts for those less fortunate than us.

Can we donate money? And if so, how much actually goes towards the cause? I filter out and say no to any charity that doesn’t give more than 75% of my money towards any cause.

By the way, I don’t know if you play with meme’s, but I tagged you. don’t you feel special?

Pixelhead
#2. July 15th, 2008, at 12:52 AM.

I’ll ask the Violas if they know. If you go to the site, you maybe able to find that info and make a cash donation as well.

Davin
#3. July 15th, 2008, at 2:53 AM.

Wow I think your friend knows well how to educate their children about social and charity…How old are the children? Do you know the minimum age to join such programme?

Liz
#4. July 15th, 2008, at 4:16 AM.

My youth group used to do missions like this to a local Indian reservation, but my parents never let me go. Maybe now that I’m on my own, I can look into doing things like this.

Jacques Seoman
#5. July 15th, 2008, at 5:35 AM.

Love the social conscience angle. Am into permaculture and sustainability myself and the Houses to Homes concept really resonates with me. If all of us humans can just become a little more aware and start sharing and helping each other just a little bit, the world will be an infinitely better place.

Link Building Bible
#6. July 15th, 2008, at 6:35 AM.

My wife and I are going to Indonesia on a missions trip in october, to do some tsunami relief and other projects.

Lola
#7. July 15th, 2008, at 10:30 AM.

I love Guatemala- my family lives there, I have never been there, but will be in 2009. I cannot wait, until I will be there!!

Britt Phillips
#8. July 15th, 2008, at 2:41 PM.

We have some great friends who give so much to mission work. They look forward to traveling to less than desireable parts of the world to make a huge difference for the people there. We may go with them sometime. I think it would be very rewarding.

Nicole Price
#9. July 15th, 2008, at 3:16 PM.

Very touching and inspiring. I shall do what I can. Thanks for the pointer.

Wayne
#10. July 15th, 2008, at 3:43 PM.

I’m with Jacques on this completely. We all need to become more aware of our place here and try to do what is best for our future generations.

With $40 to $80 you could help a child attend school for a year. I have an email out to them to see what percentage of a contribution is used. I don’t give to any charity unless 75% or more money is actually given to the charity…I feel that is only fair since the people I get calling me are all giving only 25%, sometimes less to the actual charity.

Here is their ‘How I can help’ page: http://www.fromhousestohomes.org/howyoucanhelp.html

Wayne
#11. July 15th, 2008, at 5:15 PM.

Quick update for everyone. Here is the response that I received from them. Based on this, I would surely give a donation, and I’m adding it to my list of ‘good’ ones:

Wayne,

100%. Education is free in Guatemala but parents need to pay a
registration fee and buy school supplies for each child. The school
year starts in January and ends in October. $40.00 usually covers a
child in the lower grades, $80.00 for high school age children. Only
one problem, if the school raises the registration fee in 2009 or ask
the child buy more school supplies, then the amount would be higher.
Thank you.

Joe

Joe Collins
Executive Director
From Houses to Homes

Pixelhead
#12. July 15th, 2008, at 6:47 PM.

Thanks for the due dilligence Wayne.
Kate says she knows that Guatemala is known for its corrupt government, but at no time did she or her family ever feel unsafe.

botoxdallas
#13. July 21st, 2008, at 7:17 AM.

What a great cause its been for less fortunate families in other country. It’s good to know that there are still good people willing to share their wealth and extra money for the needy. I wish for good luck on this organization and keep on helping the others that needs a home.

rhinoplasty
#14. July 21st, 2008, at 7:24 AM.

I salute this organization for the great mission they provide to the needy families. It inspire me to share something that I can afford to others that in need.

manhattan
#15. July 21st, 2008, at 7:28 AM.

Very inspiring deeds and what a mission indeed, just to help others with a heart. I hope the rich people will follow these kind of a mission.

kit
#16. July 22nd, 2008, at 9:49 PM.

my brother went on a similar trip to brazil. he built a lot of houses for the people living in slums. its amazing what little resources people need to survive in some countries! im glad to see you advocating this program.

Printable Sudoku
#17. July 25th, 2008, at 11:36 AM.

I would like to say thanks for your link…..this organization done so many social activity…i salute and wish these kind of organization.

Saratoga Picks
#18. July 30th, 2008, at 8:46 PM.

I think participating in a mission such as this, would be a great experience. It would definitely help to change things up from dealing with many of the self-absorbed people that you encounter around here.

Guatemala
#19. August 15th, 2008, at 4:32 PM.

I live in Guatemala, it’s GREAT to hear that people are helping my country

Paul
#20. September 27th, 2008, at 11:16 PM.

this is very inportant, that country need help and many others of course

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