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Jump to: Journey to Guatemala July 9-18, 2009 | Washington, DC Conference May 5-6, 2009 RAINBOW WORLD FUND
Since 2004 RWF has been taking people on humanitarian aid journeys to Guatemala. In that time 65 partcipants have devliver nearly 6000 pounds of medical and school supplies valued at over $800,000 along with $91,000 in cash grants to a women’s clinic in Guatemala City; an orphanage in Santa Apolonia; a water project in the Mayan village of Tapesquillo; a school in Santa Cruz del Quiché; Project Safe Passage, a school for the children of the men and women who make a subsistence living by scavenging in the Guatemala City garbage dump; and OASIS, the only openly LGBT organization in Guatemala. Thank you for your generosity and support. With your help our groups have made a huge difference in the lives of hundreds. Antibiotics, antifungals, diabetes medications and HIV medications all mean the difference between life and death in Guatemala. These vital supplies come from all of the doctors and hospitals we contact before our life changing trips. We bring them in our suitcases.
Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Over 70% live below the poverty level and over 30% live in abject poverty, existing on less than one dollar per day. Over 60% are chronically malnourished. It's hard to describe all that participants experience during the journey, but here are a few things people have mention: - Standing in the Panabaj Memorial Peace Park, site of an army massacre of local indigenous people in 1990, knowing that last October, RWF was on this very spot only hours before a massive mudslide came down the side of a nearby volcano. Over 2,000 people died. "This year we stood on holy ground, where hundreds are buried under the mud, and together we said a Buddhist prayer of peace." - Listening to a 65-year old Mayan woman describe how she has spent all of her life walking several hours each day carrying water her family needs. In two months her village will have a gravity-fed water system. "She was so grateful that her grandchildren would have a better life because they will have easy access to clean water." - Spending time with our amazing guides - two American Catholic Sisters who have spent many years in Latin America and were there during the height of the war. "They knew many of the sisters and priests, who were kidnapped, tortured and murdered. Through out the trip we were in constant awe of the courageous people we met." - Returning home and being surprised to realize that the water that poured so easily from the faucet was safe to drink. "I will never view life on this planet the same way again. When you meet people who have absolutely nothing, you search your heart and soul deeply to ask why? This trip reminded me of the importance of giving and the importance of giving thanks." Though the mission to Guatemala is behind us our work continues.
Visit RWF's In The News page to finds several newspaper and magazine articles about RWF's Guatemalan journeys.Passport Magazine will be featuring RWF's humanitarian aid journeys in their April 2008 edition!2009 journey to Guatemala:JOIN RAINBOW WORLD FUND ON A HUMANITARIAN JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA
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Encounter new lands and peoples in a way that values them, deepens your spirituality, broadens your world view and begins to heal the world. Walk with a legendary people, learn about Mayan spirituality, and explore human rights issues with a people whose traditions span centuries of development. Experience ancient, colonial, and modern influences that have molded a people of unique strength and deep faith. Help deliver medical and educational supplies ... be forever changed. Special guest presenter: Julia Esquivel--poet, theologian and human rights advocate, engages participants in reflection drawing on her spiritual wisdom.
ELEMENTS OF OUR GUATEMALA JOURN
Our journey includes several presentations that will orient you to the reality of Guatemala:
- Mayan Roots and Spirituality
- Historical and Political Reality of Guatemala
- Human Rights and Concerns
- U.S. Policy and Guatemala
- Systems of Poverty Affecting Indigenous People
- Community Leadership in a Liberation Model
The tour starts in Guatemala City and then moves to rural areas and finally to Antigua the old colonial capital. The following list of experiences gives an breif overview of what may be included on our journey:
- tour of the historic center of Guatemala City, including the Cathedral, National Palace, and the Central Market
- spend time with a Mayan Shaman, participate in an ancient healing ritual, visit the sacred caves of the Maya
- visit with founders and members of internationally renowned non-governmental organizations
- meet with the mothers of the disappeared
- dialogue with pastoral associates and ecumenical health care workers in marginalized areas of Guatemala City
- two days in the Lake Atitlan area getting to know the Ladino community, the life of the coffee plantation
- workers, life-giving community based projects and to witnessing the religiosity of the people of Santiago Atitlan
- reflection on the history of oppression in the Quiche and an afternoon with the pastoral leadership
- spend a few days in colonial Antigua where the architectural glories of the past provide the setting for the struggles of today
- sit with a weaver as she designs fabric of brilliant color and listen to her dreams for the future
- learn about the reality of street children
- encounter a variety of lawyers and activists working for human rights
- dialogue and be inspired by a poetess who shares her hope and her dreams
- visit and shop at the the largest outdoor craft and art market in Central America
- meet with members of the LGBT community in Guatemala City
- make friends with other LGBT and cool straight people who are traveling with you on this journey
- use the journey as a path for personal growth, transformation and healing with the help of our facilitators
Again we are accompanied by GATE (Global Awareness Through Experience) staff who serve as translators and facilitators of the experience. Our veteran guides are two American Catholic Sisters who have lived among and served the people of Central America for many years. We have traveled with them on four previous trips to Guatemala -- they are brilliant and courageous. Their energy and commitment will inspire you.
The tour includes time in the rural areas of San Lucas Toliman and a visit to Santiago Atitlan. Here we see firsthand the Indian and Ladino communities and are hosted at the mission guest house, having dialogue with the people, and participating in their lives. We'll make a pilgrimage to the church and simple rectory of Stanley Rother, an American priest from Oklahoma who was murdered in Santiago. By entering into the life of the people and hearing about their struggles, our journey offers an opportunity to understand the prolonged oppression of these Indian communities. While in Antigua, the old colonial capital, we reflect on our experience and prepare for departure and reentry into North American life.
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HUMANITARIAN AID
Participants are asked to collect medical and school supplies during the months prior to departure. Each person is allowed two 50lbs bags on international flights. Together we will fill each persons second bag (duffle) with much needed supplies to be distributed at clinics and schools during our journey. "How do I collect supplies?" Ask hospitals, clinics, your employer, companies, friends, churches....be creative. We will provide a list of requested items later but start collecting now -- everything is really in need: medications, antibiotics, antifungals, rubber gloves, bandages, ... pencils, paints, rulers, art supplies...our goal is to bring 1500lbs of supplies. We will also collect money which we will gift to the aid programs, orphanages, schools and clinics we visit. We will send you a fund raising packet to help you do this.
Click here for a list of supplies that we are collecting
Visit RWF's In The News page to finds several newspaper and magazine articles about RWF's Guatemalan journeys.
Passport Magazine will be featuring RWF's humanitarian aid journeys in their April 2008 edition
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Thursday, July 9 to Saturday, July 18, 2009
There will be 15 participants.
**The program fee covers ALL costs of lodging, food (except one meal), translation and guide services, group facilitation to help you achieve personal growth during the journey, lecture fees and all in-country transportation (our own private vans and drivers) for programmed events. Airfare is not included trip participants will arrange your own airfare. We will give participant information to coordinated their arrival times times with the group as the trip dates approach (If you book your flight through American Airlines you are entitled to a 5% discount on you fare by using code - TBA in the spring of 2009).
The total cost (not including airfare) is $1500.00 ($100.00 registration fee plus program fee $1400).
At the end of our journey you have the option of adding a day(s) on to the trip to independently explore, visit the ruins and jungle at Tikal, or shop. This it can easily be arranged from Antigua -- where we will spend the last few days of our journey. The cost of a trip to Tikal is about $300.00 including airfare to the ruins, ground transportation, a pass to the park and a tour of the ruins. Our guides can help you arrange this and other outings once you are in Guatemala. Every year several participants have stayed for extra days to further enjoy Guatemala.
In Guatemala our ground transportation will be via modern private vans with experienced drivers. Our hotel accommodations range from simple and clean to very nice - think 2 to 4 stars. Rooms are shared by 2 people. Depending on group size we can arrange single rooms throught the trip for about $150 (based upon availability). Our meals are varied, hearty and tasty. Purified water will be available throughout the trip. We will usually be less than 2 hours from medical care. If you have special health needs let us know and be sure to bring any medications you will need. The trip is minimally demanding physically; however, the Guatemala journey will change your life!
All applicants will be contacted for an interview screening. Upon completion of the interview process applicants will send a nonrefundable deposit of $100 ($150 after April 15) made out to "GATE", GATE North American Office,912 Market St., LaCrosse, WI 54601 (Please write "RWF Guatemala Trip Deposit" in the memo section of your check and include all your contact information). The Program fee: $1400 ($700 Due by March 15 and $700 due by upon arrival in Guatemala). Contact us at (415) 431-1485 if you can't meet these dates. See rainbowfund.org/journey for updates.
To ask questions and/or arrange for your telephone interview please contact us at (415) 431-1485 or email journey@rainbowfund.org
Join Rainbow World Fund at the CARE National Advocacy Conference: Many Voices, One Movement, on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5-6, 2009 in Washington, DC
The conference is a two-day annual event where RWF donors and supporters can take part in the fight against global poverty, HIV/AIDS and issues of humanitarian aid. This will be the 5th year that RWF has participated.
The conference is hosted by our partner CARE – one of the oldest and most respected humanitarian aid providers. RWF has partnered with CARE on a number of humanitarian aid projects over the years. This is a great opportunity to learn how Washington, DC works and to speak with your Senate and Congressional representative about important humanitarian issues.
This two day event is a unique opportunity to participate in keeping American policymakers focused on the issues of poverty, women’s empowerment, equity and social justice. The conference features policy seminars by issue experts and meetings with Congressional members to deliver this message: “now is the time to end global poverty.” In these challenging times, we can help ensure that the voices of the poor are heard on Capitol Hill.
May 5 - Explore a variety of international development issues with policy experts through panel discussions and training sessions. Learn about poverty-fighting work and the impact of U.S. policies on poor women and their communities through discussions and workshops. Hear from development experts and learn how you can make a difference. The day will end with a dinner and an exciting benefit show featuring special guests, musical appearances and remarks by actor, humanitarian and CARE 2009 Honoree Richard Gere.
May 6 - Deliver critical policy messages to Capitol Hill and the administration during meetings with members of Congress and other key decision-makers. Educate our leaders about the crisis of global poverty by joining fellow RWF/CARE advocates to deliver messages to your members of Congress and other influential policymakers. The conference ends with reception at 5 p.m.
If you wish to participate in this conference as a Rainbow World Fund representative, contact Jeff Cotter at (415) 431-1485 or email volunteer@rainbowfund.org before registering on the CARE conference website: http://www.careconference.org/?s_src=170960100000&s_subsrc=
For more information about the conference or scholarships, please contact CARE at (877) 394-3747 or nationalconference@care.org.
Admission is $100 per person until March 20, late registration is $150 from March 20 on. Student rate is $40.
Admission covers lectures, training materials and several meals including a dinner and luncheon with keynote speakers. Admission also includes transportation from the conference center to and from Capitol Hill.
In addition to the conference, Rainbow World Fund is arranging a meeting and tour at Africare Headquaters, our international partner for Africa.
Conference Location:
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Conference attendees are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. There are hotels at all price ranges in DC most of which are near Metro (subway) stops which can easily take you to the confernce site. Hotels.com has been a good resource in the past.
For your convenience, CARE has reserved a block of rooms at a hotel: TBA in the Spring 2009
