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Education Guatemala Project #58324

Funding The Integral Heart School in 2023

by Integral Heart Foundation

Funding The Integral Heart School in 2023

Project Report | Oct 11, 2023
The Situation in Guatemala

By Michael J Quinn | Co-founder

The southern highway in Guatemala

Guatemala is currently undergoing one of the most difficult times in recent memory.

Many businesses are closed. In Antigua, where our school is located, everything is closed. Food shortages are appearing throughout the country. ATM machines have no cash. The airline association warned today that jet-fuel stock is running low. There is no official word on gasoline supplies, but an industry insider close to me, has said there is about a week’s supply remaining.

All major roadways an access in and out of major cities has been blocked by protesters concerned that their choice of President in the most recent elections is being taken from them by the current administration. There have been some incidents of violence, but considering the scale of mobilization by the population, they have been overwhelmingly peaceful.

The photo above was taken by myself on Friday morning. The last time I was the highway life this was during the recent health crisis.

We are unable to open our school tomorrow due to these conditions and currently there are no supplies for our food basket program nor do we have the ability to transport the kids. We ask for your prayers and loving support in this serious time of the country and welcome all contributions to help our kids and family in this difficult time.

For those of you seeking some background, this recently published article in English is quite succinct: https://elfaro.net/en/202310/centroamerica/27093/dialogue-with-indigenous-peoples-must-be-part-of-the-democratic-springtime-in-guatemala

With best wishes,

Mick Quinn
Co-founder
Integral Heart Family School, Guatemala.

Antigua, where our school is located

Central Park in Antigua, usually thronged!

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Jun 15, 2023
Take a Wag from Sheila

By Michael J Quinn | Co-founder

May 2, 2023
Speaking of Genesis

By Michael J Quinn | Co-founder

Good morning from Guatemala,

Meet our newest member of the Integral Heart Family School.

Genesis is her name.

Genesis came to our school for the first time two weeks ago. She is 5 years old and she is not yet studying in public school. She is only attending speech therapy twice per week.

She hails from humble circumstances. Her mom works making tortillas and his dad is a construction helper. And she has four brothers.

They live on a hillside slum overlooking Antigua called Vista Hermosa (Beautiful View) in Jocotenango, Guatemala.
Over half of our families live here.

Genesis came to our school because her mother heard about our work and spoke talked to Marisol, our school director.
She wanted her daughter to have a place to go where there were more children of her own age so that she could literally talk more. Otherwise, Genesis would just be a home alone during the day.

Luckily she does not have a full-blown disability, just a speech deficit that can improve with, structure, healthy interactions, chit-chat with kids her own age and of course some expert therapy.

As one of teachers told me “We would love to know what she wants to be when she grows up but she can't explain it to us!”

Genesis is cute as a button and full of energy and loving her time at our school. I met her for the first time this week and I wanted to share her story.

Students like Genesis are benefitting from your support! So, thank you!!!

Mick & Debora
Co-founders

About us:
Integral Heart was founded in 2011 by Mick Quinn and Debora Prieto.

They had vacationed in Guatemala in 2009 and were drawn to its beauty but also felt compelled to respond directly to the potential they saw in the younger generations.

They have lived year-round in Guatemala ever since.

The Integral Heart Family School is 100% crowdfunded. We currently have 220 individuals whose monthly and annual donations support our work.

This core team of Sustaining Sponsors raises about one half of the total funds needed to operate our school and programs.

The rest of the funding is raised in special events and in participation with our funding partner, GlobalGiving based in Washington D.C.

Education is the heart of our work. Our school is home to 70 children receiving classes in Spanish, English, Psychology, Human Rights, Homework Help, Art and serves 1,500 meals monthly.

Since 2011, our programs have delivered classes and support to over 1,200 students and their families in Guatemala. We also provide a food basket to each of our 45 sponsored families.

See our Full History in photos:
IHF School History Since 2010

5-year Dream Plan: We are saving to buy/build a school which incorporates our existing educational programs and an animal rescue center. Imagine, One Child - One Animal :-)

If you would like to see our plans for this, click here :-)

See our 5-Year Dream Plan

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