DATES TO SAVE

Sociodrama

Leadership
Training

January 24-26, 2014 Catalina Island

Cost: $280*

RSVP here!

For more information, contact:

leslie@xelaaid.org

*10 person minimum. Boat transportation ($65 RT) and lodging not included; Shared lodging will be available.

BE THE CHANGE on an upcoming Xela AID service trip to Guatemala

Application for volunteer trips now available here!

2014 Trip Schedule*

March 14-23

(late-night departure)

"10-Days, 3-Volcanos"

CLIMB the progressively tougher volcanoes of Antigua, Xela, and Lago de Attitlan to benefit Xela AID. This trip is for the especially fit and their cheering section!

Contact trip leader Cliff Hague cliffrider@mac.com

June 13-22

(late-night departure)

"Dignified Housing & Other Projects TBD with Intensive Spanish Study Option." Includes Attitlan, Antigua and Tikal option. Contact leslie@xelaaid.org

June 27-July 6

(late-night departure)

"Education Programs with Intensive Spanish Study Option." Includes Attitlan and Antigua. Contact trip leader Sue Rikalo at:

sue@rikalo.com

August 1-10

(late-night departure)

"Literacy, Art Therapy, & Special Projects at Las Nubes." Contact

sherryrobin@cox.net

*A 12-person minimum applies to all trips which otherwise may be canceled or combined. Thank you for your understanding.

Remember to LIKE Xela AID on Facebook so you'll get updates from our travels in Guatemala and other messages from the field! If you haven't already, it's easy. Do it NOW!

LIVE.LEARN.THRIVE!

Dear ,

More news from Xela AID! First, a quick and hearty "Thank You" to those of you who have responded to our Annual Appeal! We deeply appreciate your support which makes it possible for us to provide education support, uninterrupted health care and more all year long. If you missed the appeal and would like to make a Holiday Gift to Xela AID, you can donate HERE.

We would like to thank the following people for their recent sponsorships which make Xela AID's work possible:

* Patrick and Lori Bunton for sponsoring Valeria Patricia Perez Lopez and Florentin Escalante Mirande

* Mary Loibl for sponsoring Heidi Azucely Hastein Lopez

* Autumn Reifensnyder for sponsoring Victor Dario Baquiax

* Crandall Leialoha for sponsoring Rosemary Isela

* Northwood High School Spanish Club led by Laura Tijerino for their sponsorship of Brenda Rosecelia

We are very grateful for your support. Thank you!

XELA AID NEWS

0.5% TO XELA AID WHEN YOU SHOP AMAZON

Thanks to Amazon's "Amazon Smile" program, 0.5% of your online purchases on Amazon can go directly to Xela AID! To select Xela AID as the beneficiary, go to smile.amazon.com, search for Xela AID in the menu provided, and select it. Make sure to shop signed on to your account from smile.amazon.com, and each purchase help support Xela AID programs! That's it!

NEW MEDICAL ASSISTANT IN XELA AID CLINIC

Santa Rosalia Perez

has joined the Xela AID clinic team for a few months as an assistant to Dra. Carolina. We are happy to welcome Santa as our intern as she gets needed medical experience toward her medical degree.

ENGLISH CLASSES A BIG SUCCESS

Xela AID volunteer Mary Loibl asked the question, and over 30 people said "YES" to English classes. We're thankful for Mary who is currently teaching English in Xela AID's Study Center. We're happy to see the students so enthusiastic about learning English, an especially marketable skill in Guatemala. Xela AID is seeking an English-speaker to continue the classes after Mary returns to the states.

CONGRATULATIONS TO A GRADUATE!

Congratulations to Ilda Ernestina Gomez Mendez! Ilda has completed her studies in accounting and hopes to find a job in her field. Special thanks to Sherry Robin for sponsoring Ilda and helping her reach this incredible achievement!

XELA AID WELCOMES NEW PROGRAM COORDINATOR AMY LOGAN

Amy Logan is our newest addition to the Xela AID team! Amy has been on volunteer trips with Xela AID throughout the years and has been working with her mother and Xela AID Board member, Kathy Logan, on JOJI Bags, a line of handbags and other products that aims to benefit and empower Xela AID's Tesoros del Coraz�n Fair Trade Weaving Cooperative in San Martin Chiquito. Amy works in our office in Long Beach assisting with database entries, social media updates, trip planning, sponsorships, newsletters, and other tasks.

Most sincerely yours,

Leslie Baer Dinkel

Executive Director

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."

--Mother Teresa

Seeking...

COSTUMES STILL NEEDED

As part of their Alquifiestas microbusiness, Xela AID's Leaders in Action group is appearing in costume and being photographed with party goers. Donations of costumes in adult sizes would be greatly appreciated (used are fine), including princesses, superheros, vampires and other recognizable characters. Donate a costume and receive a gift-in-kind receipt for your tax deductible donation. To donate, contact Sue Rikalo at sue@xelaaid.org.

GOT STUFF?

Are you upgrading your technology? Cleaning out drawers? laptop Or just want to go out and buy a little something to help someone meet their needs? Consider a tax deductible gift-in-kind that we can put to extremely good use in the highlands of Guatemala this summer. Needed are: