This coming Friday, November
14, 2008, at 5 p.m., Xela Aid's long-time partner
Direct
Relief International (DRI) will host
An Evening with Xela Aid at its Santa Barbara
headquarters. The event will include a tour of the vast facility
which distributes sorely needed aid worldwide.
Also featured will be a Xela Aid presentation by several of the
Xela Aid directors. Included will be many colorful images from
recent trips, giving attendees a look and feel for Xela Aid's
many projects that touch lives in Guatemala's highlands.
Hand-loomed weavings by artisans in Xela
Aid's Nueva Alianza Cooperative will be available to appreciate
and for sale, as will stunning images of Guatemala captured by
volunteer Katherine Sanchez (above, right). Click
here for directions to DRI.
To attend the event, please RSVP to xela_aid@earthlink.net
(important) no later than this coming Wednesday.
SAVE THE DATE!
Xela Aid's summer 2009 trip to Guatemala will take place
May 30-June
13, 2009. The trip will focus on educational projects,
with special projects to be based on the interests and talents
of volunteers. Space is limited, so those interested are
encouraged to contact Xela Aid Director Sheryl Fontaine
sfontaine@Exchange.FULLERTON.EDU or Debi Esquivel at desquivel@Exchange.FULLERTON.EDU
early. Additional information, including applications, will soon
be available on the Xela Aid website. For information on past
trips, incuding a sample itinerary/application and photo
galleries, visit our
Trips page.
HAPPENINGS AT THE CLINIC
A comprehensive approach to
health care includes prevention. During October, two workshops
were organized by Xela Aid's clinic staff focusing on nutrition,
hygiene and the basics of ensuring potable water. A few pictures
from the workshops are included below.
NEW TO XELA AID?
For those of you just joining our mailing list, you can see
synopsis of our various active projects in the right-hand column
of this newsletter. For additional information, please visit our
Xela Aid Website. Or, if you have specific questions, please
feel to write to us at xela_aid@earthlink.net.
We
hope to see you this Friday in Santa Barbara, or this summer as
a participant in our summer trip!
Sincerely Yours,
The Directors
Carlos de la Rosa, Luis Enrique de León, Mel Dinkel, Colleen
Dodds, Karen Edwards, Debi Esquivel, Patricia Florez, Sheryl
Fontaine, Susan Lominska, Leslie Baer |
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UPCOMING IN FUTURE ISSUES...
· Midwifery program revised
· Another special message
from a PEX graduate
· Trip planned for next year
·
Answers to most frequently asked questions
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ONGOING PROJECTS
June Russel-Glennon
Clinic & Community Center
The June Russel-Glennon Clinic and Community Center is open weekdays
from 8 AM - 2 PM. During 2007, Clinic staff served more than 2400
people -- most of whom otherwise would not have been able to see a
doctor. An ultrasound kindly provided through
Direct Relief
International (DRI) was delivered mid-2007 and is now serving
patients weekly. We welcome your support as a KCO Club member (for
"Keep the Clinic Open") to help us continue to provide health
services to those who need them most. All contributions are wisely
administered and greatly appreciated.
Learn more about the Clinic and KCO
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Sponsor Children & Young Adults
in School (PEX)
Nearly 80 children and young adults are currently sponsored for
school through Xela Aid's PEX program (Proyecto Educativo de Xela
Aid, PEX). Sponsor support makes it possible for these students to
register in school and to buy books, supplies and clothing required
to attend. Those sponsored also received a yearly medical exam and
parasite treatment paid for with sponsor contributions. Learn more
about the
PEX Program, or email PEX Director Patricia Florez for
additional information or to sponsor a child:
pat.florez@theecomonkey.com
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San Martín Tots Preschool
The preschool, or "guardaria," opened in 2007 serving an average of
35 children aged 3 to 6 each school day. The facility was built
through the generosity of June Russel-Glennon, and the kitchen
facilities built with contributions by Mel Dinkel. A teacher and
several assistants tutor the mostly mám- speaking children in
Spanish, reading, writing and local history, and serve breakfast
foods and a hot meal for lunch. The preschool is a joint effort with
the Guatemalan government.
Thanks to Marisa Grimes and
several other generous donors, Xela Aid has been able to augment the
salaries of teachers and provide for hot meals, learning materials,
and repairs to keep the facility safe and comfortable. For
additional information, see
San Martín Tots or write us at
xela_aid@earthlink.net
Photo by Katherine Sanchez
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San Martín CLEAN!
The program to install 30 permanent trash cans around town got off
to a great start with the first one being cemented in front of Xela
Aid's clinic to much fanfare. Many thanks to those who have
sponsored trash cans so far.
San Martin CLEAN!
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"El Centro de Estudios"
(Xela Aid Study Center)
The new "Centro de Estudios" welcomes children from the PEX program
and all others who wish to participate in peer tutoring and
afterschool activities. Xela Aid is proud that the tutor employed is
a graduate of our own PEX program. To learn more, visit
Centro de Estudios, or email Sheryl Fontaine or Debi Esquivel:
sfontaine@Exchange.FULLERTON.EDU or
desquivel@fullerton.edu
Volunteer Paints, 2008
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