Build Healthy Foundations for 40,000

Friends of San Lucas is transforming lives in San Lucas Tolimán through programs that meet both immediate needs and long-term goals. From education and healthcare to housing, clean water, and economic opportunity, the Mission works daily to improve the well-being of families—especially those most vulnerable. This year alone, 18,000 patients have been served through health programs, and families have gained access to safe homes, electricity, and clean water systems. At the same time, coffee farmers and women artisans are empowered with fair wages and skills that bring lasting independence. More than 600 children are receiving quality education at the mission school through scholarships from donors like you. 

I’d like to share one powerful example of what your gifts can do. Last year, the mission school welcomed a fourth-grade student named Cristian. Cristian did not know how to read or write. He had very low self-esteem. The school administrators referred him to Healthcare Program Director Dr. Rafael Tun, who then referred him to a neurologist. Ultimately, Cristian was diagnosed with dyslexia.

Cristian joined a kindergarten classroom, which was the best fit for his developmental stage at the time. With the support of school leadership, Cristian's parents, and Cristian himself, we started an adapted curriculum emphasizing multi-sensory learning. He worked with sandpaper letters and numbers for better visibility and tactile engagement. Through this process, he learned to identify letters and form syllables and words.

Eventually, Cristian learned to read and write. Because of your generosity, our hard work, and his own determination, Cristian was successful at the Mission School.

None of this would be possible without donors. The generosity of supporters fuels every program, ensuring teachers can welcome students, health workers can care for patients, and families in need can receive food, shelter, and hope. Donors also strengthen long-term initiatives, such as fair trade coffee and certified women’s training programs, which create sustainable change and break the cycle of poverty.

Every gift, large or small, becomes a direct investment in dignity, opportunity, and community. By walking alongside the people of San Lucas, donors are not just giving resources—they are helping build a future where families can thrive. Friends of San Lucas depends on this partnership, and together, donors and the Mission are making lasting impact across generations.

In Guatemala, government support for people with disabilities is severely limited, leaving many without the financial assistance they need to survive. That’s why the Mission’s Charity Program provides monthly stipends to the elderly and people with disabilities—funded almost entirely by donors like you.

Francisco is one of the individuals whose life has been changed by this support. Decades ago, he suffered a life-altering accident while collecting coconuts for work. “I was up in a tree when I lost my balance and fell. Since then, I have been unable to move my legs and depend on a wheelchair to get around,” Francisco said. Unable to work, he struggled to afford even basic necessities.

Seven years ago, the Mission Charity Program visited Francisco’s home and offered him a financial stipend. “I was excited, since this help would allow me to buy some basic supplies that my wife and I need, like sugar and beans,” he said. The assistance has provided Francisco and his wife with stability, helping them purchase essential items that they otherwise could not afford.

For Francisco, this small monthly stipend is life-changing. “I wholeheartedly thank God for giving strength to the donors, since without you, this help would not be possible. We are deeply grateful to you. May God bless you.”

Thanks to your generosity, individuals like Francisco have the resources they need to live with dignity. Your support is making a lasting impact on the people of San Lucas. Thank you!

Please see the attached 2024 Annual Report for more stories and data illustrating the impact of Friends of San Lucas and our donors in program areas such as healthcare, housing, and education.

• FOSL2024AnnualReport040825Digital.pdf (PDF)