With you, it is possible Amigos de San Cristobal

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to be with you again and share the latest news about our work and behind-the-scenes of our Foundation.

Thank you very much for the support you have given us in the last three GlobalGiving campaigns. Your contributions will help us continue our work, accompanying and strengthening local organizations. Every day, we strive and work hard to continue to grow and increase the positive impact to be a fairer and more equitable community.

CLOSING OF CAMPAIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH HÍPER SORIANA

Last Friday, July 21st, the closing event of the Customer Contribution 2023 campaign was held at Soriana Híper SCLC. Full of joy and gratitude at the event, the symbolic check was presented for 26,738.53 pesos. The funds improved the quality of life of one hundred boys, girls, women, and families in The Highlands of Chiapas—the cashiers who raised the most received gifts as an incentive and gratitude for their campaign support.

CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN WITH GLOBALGIVING

Small acts of generosity make significant changes. For this reason, between September 18th and 22nd, the LittleByLittle online fundraising campaign was carried out, where GlobalGiving matched all donations under 50 dollars. This campaign was launched to continue making the work of Amigos de San Cristóbal possible, which has always been dedicated to transforming minds, strengthening the community, and making it fairer and more equitable. The final collection was 818 dollars.

BREAKFAST OF WOMEN IN SOLIDARITY

At the end of September, we had the pleasure of having breakfast at the Hotel Villas Casa Morada with a group of twenty women from San Cristóbal, who were very participative, supportive, and eager to get involved in the work for their community. We introduced them to the creation of Amigos de San Cristobal through the testimonies given by representatives of Hogar Comunitario Yach'il Antzetic, A.C., Tierra Roja Cuxtitali, Gimnasio Autónomo Popular "Barrio Bravo" and UNECODES, A.C., organizations with which we collaborate. All of them were grateful and excited after listening to the experiences.

COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY AND GIVING CIRCLES

Ceramics workshop with a cause

Pilar Martín Palomo, on July 22nd, was kind enough to donate her talent as a ceramics teacher in a very nice event that took place thanks to the organization and the excellent work of the people who are part of the giving circle La Semilla. Twenty-seven people came to the call. The event was a great success, and they left very happy with their pots finished and ready to put in the oven. A lot of hidden talent and participants of all ages; a morning in which they had time for everything: learning, having fun, relaxing while molding, sharing laughs, meeting people of all ages, and, in addition, contributing to a cause. The truth is that they created beautiful pieces. The proceeds were $6,752 pesos, which will go directly to the fund to finance the development projects we support yearly.

Introductory course of tseltal with cause

From August 15th to 18th, the Sejk'ubal-Kuxlejal giving circle organized an introductory tseltal course with a cause to do a second part. It was attended by six people and consisted of four modules and a discussion that served to learn more about the doubts and needs of the students. We had facilitators from Oxchuc, Tenejapa, Cancuc, and Teopisca. This event also responds to the intention of Amigos de San Cristóbal to contribute to the dissemination of mother tongues.

Salsa class with a cause

On August 25th, a salsa class with a cause was organized by the giving circle La Semilla at Latino's Club. Thirty-three people participated, who came together to have fun and contribute to the cause. With the help of salsa teacher Tony Luna, who kindly donated to the class, everyone learned new dance steps. Thanks to the sponsors (Madonna Mía Pizzeria, Thermomix, Salsa & Blues/La Parrilla, and Latino's Club) for making this fundraising effort possible.

Health workshop for members of giving circles

As part of the internal strengthening of the giving circles, on September 9th, a health workshop was held to analyze and contextualize the health situation in The Highlands of Chiapas.

Lottery with a cause

Last September 21st, our Lottery with a Cause event was organized by the giving circle La Semilla. A supportive and fun evening, hosted by María Elena Oseguera and with several sponsors, who were in charge of awarding the prizes to the winners (Latino's Club, Cabañas del Grupo La Labor, Optica Visión 360, Super Cava, Cacao Nativa, Quinto Sol Joyería, Restaurant Taniperla, Te Quiero Verde, El Horno Mágico/Panadería Francesa, and Thermomix).

PARTICIPATION IN FASOL (FONDO DE ACCIÓN SOLIDARIA, A.C.) WORKSHOP

On July 27th and 28th, the workshop "Building a New Narrative on Community Philanthropy," facilitated by FASOL, was held in Oaxaca. Our Community Philanthropy coordinator, Verónica, Vicky, from UNECODES, and Korina, from the Gimnasio Autónomo Popular (GAP), were present and were able to deepen their knowledge on topics such as recognition of assets and resources that we all contribute to the projects, diversity of types of resources, proposals for the construction of a new concept and narrative of community philanthropy, as well as the discovery of strategies for a more horizontal relationship in the cooperation between communities and funders.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHENING NEW COORDINATOR IN THE AREA OF PROJECTS AND STRENGTHENING

We welcome Patricia López, who will replace Martha Yuritzia Galera in Projects and Strengthening. She has experience working in civil society organizations and community development projects from a rights and gender perspective.

Thanks to Martha for her valuable work accompanying collectives and organizations in Strengthening the Active Communities Program. Much success in this new stage.

ANNUAL CALL FOR PROJECT FUNDING 2024

On July 27th, 2024, the call for projects to be executed in the coming year was launched. Organizations had until August 11th to submit the essential documentation and until September 5th to present, in a second phase, the detailed proposal of their project. Twenty-two applications are under review, and priority will be given to those working in The Highlands of Chiapas and around our three strategic lines of priority advocacy: education, health, and environment.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ENCOUNTER

On Thursday, August 24th, we held a community participation encounter, a get-together for civil society organizations, collectives, members of the operational team, the board of directors, and the giving circles; forty-three people, including adults and children, which took place in the Kassil Vochonil Garden, one of the collectives with which we collaborate. It was a nice moment of fellowship and work in common, as everyone was able to participate by cleaning the green areas of garbage, extracting soil, and then bagging it with seeds. It was a productive, fun, and collaborative day.

Thank you very much for reading us and continuing to support us. We send you a big hug and will soon give you more news from Amigos.