One of the fruits flowing from the S.O.S. Ministry of Presence is that it is able to respond to the expressed needs of the Maya not out of pity for them or from its own self- interests, but from a true spirit of solidarity with the Maya in their desire to improve the quality of their lives. Therefore, any assistance it is able to give is offered in such a way as to empower the Maya and to maintain their human dignity by never doing for them what they can do for themselves. Additionally, S.O.S. works closely with other mission groups and host country contacts, to assure that it does not duplicate what already is in place.
Because of individuals with compassion, generosity and a vision for a better world, S.O.S. is able to assist in some of the following areas:
Guardian Angel Education Fund, $360/year per child.
For less than a dollar a day, you can become a Guardian Angel of a Maya child —S.O.S. also accepts smaller donations and combines them to sponsor one child. Be a S.O.S. Guardian Angel to...
S.O.S. Guardian Angels are making the world a better place one child at a time. They are currently providing 50 Maya children in the Quiché Department of Guatemala with scholarships for the January 2007 school year. Because the Guatemalan government only provides education up to the 6th grade, there is no hope for indigenous Maya children in the rural areas to obtain further education. Thus the cycle of poverty cannot be broken. Our scholarships provide funds for tuition, transportation and lodging (when needed) from grades seven through twelve. During the last three years of high school, students are prepared in the career of their choice so that when they graduate they will be able to obtain a job.
S.O.S. has partnered with the Guatemala based humanitarian organization Caritas to arrange local mentoring of the students. It oversees on S.O.S.’ behalf, the educational and spiritual progress of each of our sponsored children. In addition, S.O.S. delegates make periodic visits to Quiche’ to encourage the students and monitor the process. Letters are sent twice a year to all Guardian Angel sponsors informing them of how the students are progressing.
Scholarship supporters to the S.O.S. Guardian Angel Education Fund can make a one-time donation or an on-going contribution of any amount into this Fund at any time of the year. No contribution is too small. Please click here.
Adobe Stove Program, $100 per stove.
As is their ancient custom, Maya women gather wood each day to start the open fire upon which they will cook three meals a day. With babies on their backs, over time, both mother and child are exposed to enormous amounts of smoke that fill their enclosed dirt floor kitchens as well as their lungs and sting the eyes. Smoke is one of the main causes of the very prevalent eye condition called ‘ptergyium’. The disease affects both the very young and old. It begins as a growth in one or both corners of the eye and gradually grows to cover the pupil thus causing ultimate blindness. In response to the Maya communities, S.O.S. is providing materials for them to build special adobe stoves. They still require the use of wood but the smoke is channeled out of the room through little chimneys thus not only decreasing health hazards but also reducing the incidences of burns incurred by both the mothers and children and reducing the amount of wood consumption. Thus far, through the S.O.S. Assistance Program, the Maya have jointly put in 190 stoves in their homes. As more funds are available, more stoves will be put in.
Eye Glasses- Sunglasses, $5 each.
The S.O.S. Assistance Program has supplied the S.O.S. Vision and Eye Screen Teams with prescription glasses and sunglasses to distribute to the Maya living in the remote areas in Guatemala. Without funds or access to health care, the people do without these basic ‘givens’ in our society.
Being geographically closer to the sun, the Maya are exposed to more intense UV rays – another contributing factor to cataracts and ‘ptergyium’, both causes of ultimate blindness. Each year S.O.S. dispenses approximately 150 -200 pair of prescription glasses and sunglasses.
Sponsoring Teachers, $3,150/year per teacher.
The S.O.S. Assistance Program has been instrumental in securing salary support for 11 teachers so that 240 Maya children can attend school in the area of Quiché. In progress now, is another program that will give Maya men and women, young and old, an opportunity to learn how to read, write and speak Spanish. Assistance will be given for teacher salary support. Because all schooling was interrupted during the prolonged violent period in the Quiché, many adults never attended school. Among the indigenous population, there is up to 70% illiteracy rate.
Other ways to support the missionary effort of S.O.S.
General Donations to S.O.S. are used to assist the Maya communities in other areas such as:
To the world you may be nobody... but to someone in Guatemala you may be the world!!!