*We have opened the Junior High school in Tierra Linda this year....and all of the students have passed their grade and will be moving onto 8th grade.  The next group of 7th graders are already registered and eagerly looking forward to starting Junior High school.  

*We opened two new pre-schools and feeding programs, our 5th and 6th. One in El Barranco and one in partnership with Mission Guatemala in San Andres Semebetaj.

In our six preschools - nutrition centers we now feed over 250 children that every day eat 2 healthy meals, get into the habit of brushing their teeth, taking a vitamin tablet and get a head start on their education. 

*Thanks to your support, we won $25,000 US in the Chase Community Giving contest....this money will be used to feed and educate children and comes at a time when we thought we may not be able to keep open the San Antonio After school program that feeds 45 children and provides educational support to them daily. Now we can keep it open, ...thank you!!

*We saw the need and began the Mayan Families Orphan Program which gives support to orphans and their extended families...enabling the extended families to care for the children at home.  We currently have 55 children in the Orphan Care Program http://orphancareprogram.blogspot.com/ 

*We expanded the Elderly Care Program and opened a small center in San Jorge la Laguna. Feeding and providing care to 44 Elderly people who otherwise would not have enough to eat.  http://mayanfamilieselderlycare.blogspot.com/

*We maintained the "Meals on Wheels" program to the elderly and infirm in Panajachel. Delivering a hot meal and care to over 25 people daily.

*The Tierra Linda Education Center is almost complete.
The retaining wall was built by the Upper Arlington Rotary Club just before a tropical storm hit that could have caused a major problem to the center.  The courtyard and a huge roof covering the courtyard has been built and the community is very happily using it for many different community activities.

*We started the Diabetes Club in Panajachel and meet once a month to provide support and medical care to people who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Most of these people are unable to afford medical care or the life saving medication needed to control diabetes.

 
*Partnering with another organization we were able to build two classrooms for the school in the little village of Xecotoj. The children were previously attending classes in rooms made of tin sheeting.

*Our Micro loan program has continued to grow...with many women receiving loans to help them grow their businesses.

*Our Sewing program continues into its 6th year.  Many of our graduates are now working and earning money for their families.

*Hundreds of energy efficient stoves were installed and families now have a smoke free home to live in and enjoy the health benefits from having a stove that takes the smoke out of the house.

*This Christmas we were able to distribute more than 1,300 baskets of food. These were given to families in need who otherwise may not have been able to afford to celebrate with the traditional meal of tamales at midnight.
These baskets were able to feed over 13,000 people! A great effort in hard economic times....thank you everyone who was able to help either by donating or spreading the word!
*We distributed more than 5,000 toys this year for Christmas......thanks to you ...there were a lot of happy children!
*Thanks to you, we have built schools and houses, distributed school supplies, renovated school rooms and homes, put in bathrooms, kitchens, families have received beds, energy efficient stoves, water filters that give clean drinking water, mattresses to put on bare board beds, electricity and water connected, blankets to keep out the cold, shoes, clothing, food, we have arranged medical and dental care, we have facilitated dozens of medical , dental, vision and veterinarian clinics in many communities and so much more. It's been a busy year....we couldn't have done it without you!
From our families to yours....wishing you a very Happy, Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperoous New Year!
Best wishes
Sharon Smart-Poage
MAYAN FAMILIES
http://www.mayanfamilies.org/DonateOnline