 | FIRST BOOK - if someone can learn to read, they can teach themselves about anything. But, how can you learn to read, if there are no books? A donation to Miracles in Action's book project brings these children their first books. Additionally, Santillana USA donates 1000's of Spanish childrens books to our projects - Thank You! |
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BEFORE -this dirt floor shack with no windows or electric was used for a school in this remote village in Huehuetenango. It is a very cold area in the mountains at 9,000'. Many children wore towels or blankets because they are too poor to buy a sweater or jackets. Most children had chapped and sunburned faces and hands. |  |
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 | AFTER - the shack above was replaced by School of Miracles #18 Capcincito. Here children are holding the 1st class American Airlines quilts donated to us to take to the new school. This school was a gift of AA Flight Attendant Marla Zell in memory of her educator parents Ed and Maureen Talton. |
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| Parent Commitment to Education - Nebaj is an area of Guatemala where the Mayan people were gravely impacted by the 36 year civil war. Here Penny holds a proposal to build a 2 room school on this land. It is signed by all the parents, most with their thumb print because they can not write. These parents will do the labor to build their children a school and a better future through education. |  |
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 | ADOLESCENT GIRLS PROJECT - this summer Casey Weimer and Lauren Pomerantz developed and implemented this project in Xela. They focused on workshops and networking to build the self esteem and independance of poor teen girls, so they can be what ever they want to be, rather than following in their mother's footsteps. |
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TEACHER TRAINING PROJECT - Angie Torres in a sea of children from La Pila School in Patzun. When Angie learned that most rural Guatemalan teachers have only a 10th grade education, she volunteered her summer to work with teachers OJT - on the job training.
Project sponsored by Miracles and Amigos de Patzun in partnership with the parents, teachers, mayor, and Ministry of Ed. |  |
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 | LIBRARIES - Miracles In Action's support of Open Windows Library in Duenas, Guatemala has provided many with the opportunity to learn to read and write. In 2008 we will build two more library/learning centers through Riecken Foundation.
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Living conditions are stark in many of the villages where we work in Guatemala. When distributing supplies on one trip, a man held up a toothbrush and asked, "What's this?" He had never seen a toothbrush before. |  |
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 | NEED FOR WATER - Here we experience first hand how difficult and time comsuming it is to transport water in jugs carried on your head. For this village in Patzun, carrying water is a daily activity - 1 hour each way to the spring and home, with steep slopes to climb balancing 34 lbs of water on your head. An elderly village woman begged us to help them build a water system. She said her bones ached from years of carrying heavy jugs of water. |
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| DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES -Sanford Latin America supplied us with pencils, markers, and lots of school supplies for the new students. Many thanks! |  |
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 | Villagers of Tierra Colorada, Guatemala welcome John Destefano to their village for the grand opening of Destefano School of Miracles #7 Jan. 18, 2007. John has since funded the building of schools #16 and #17. In April 08 John passed away. He provided funds to build 2 more schools and we carry on his legacy of learning, because "you can be anything you want to be". |
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| Give A Kid A Backpack provided us with 90 backpacks for our school openings. Jan enjoys passing out the supplies at Cojobal School opening celebration. |  |
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 | Cindy Hall, from Survivor Guatemala TV Series and the Naples, FL Zoo, joined our group to distribute supplies at our school openings July 2007. |
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| Thank you to Kiwanis Thrift Shop Cape Coral and Miami AA Flight Attendants for the wonderful stuffed animals and toys to distribute at the celebration. For many this was their first toy. |  |
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 | LEARNING A TRADE - After learning to sew at a Miracles in Action and Mayan Families Workshop, this graduate carries home her sewing machine. She can now earn an income from the home while caring for her children. |
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"I was not blessed with having children of my own. Yet, through Miracles In Action, I can love and give to children who have needs that are not met by their parents, the government, or other social programs. It is direct giving to a child that creates memory moments like this one, and keeps me coming back for more. Giving is addictive," Miracles In Action Founder, Penny Rambacher.
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 | Miracles In Action
241 Countryside Drive
Naples, FL 34104
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