April 22, 2013
Dear friends, I’d like to give you a quick update on my most recent visit to Guatemala as well as a reminder for the Second Annual Guatemalan Mid-Spring Bash which is coming up next week.
Earlier this month I found myself on a very quick and short visit to Guatemala. On April 13, the community of El Triunfo held a celebration to mark the completion of another expansion to the school. As you know, we’ve been helping the community improve the educational options available for their children with the support of a middle school and a high school in the community.
The latest expansion for the school provides another three classrooms, office space as a well as a community meeting room. The funding for the project was largely provided by the municipality of Solola and Andres Iboy, the mayor, attended the celebration.
Ken and Andres Iboy, Mayor of Solola.
In addition, the nine indigenous mayors from each of the villages around El Triunfo also participated as well as teachers, students, the municipal band plus another marimba group, and other community members.
You can see all of my photos from the day here.
I’d also like to remind you of the upcoming Second Annual Guatemalan Mid-Spring Bash. Please let me know if you can attend as we are starting to finalize our plans. Details are below. I hope to see you on May 3.
A fundraiser for the El Triunfo School in Guatemala
Why: Because every child has the right to an education.
Tickets: minimum donation of $30 per person or donation of your choice (children under 10 are free)
When: Friday May 3, 2013
Doors and Silent Auction Open at 6:00pm, Finger foods starting at 6:30pm, Silent Auction Closes at 9:00 pm, Socializing until the wee hours.
Where: Lolita’s Lust
513 Danforth Ave., Toronto (South side of Danforth, between Chester and Pape Subway stations)
www.dine.to/profile_features.php?feature=profile_map&id=3185
Dinner is also available a la carte or a special prix fixe.
Please consider attending this fundraiser. Bring a friend. Even if you can¹t make it, please consider buying a ticket or donating to support this amazing cause!
If you would prefer to make a tax deductible donation, please go to: www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=25964
Click on “Donate Now.” then under “Fund/Designation,” select “El Triunfo School Project, Solola, Guatemala.”
If you would like to donate something for the silent auction, please contact Michele Milan at milan@rotman.utoronto.ca.
Finally I’d like to let you know that Maria Xoch Ajcalon, a weaver from Asociacion Maya de Desarrollo in the community of El Triunfo, will be visiting Toronto next month. She’ll be participating in an exhibit at the Textile Museum of Canada but is also available for other presentations and weaving demonstrations. Please let me know if you are interested.
Ken
