DATES TO SAVE

Concert at Monkey Business Cafe

February 15

5-8pm

Grab your sweetheart and support both Xela AID and this non-profit cafe that serves delicious fare! Featured will be Gary Robertson who will thrill with his eclectic blend of fingerstyle jazz, standards, pop, folk, rock, and blues. Watch for more information and ticket signups in a coming newsletter.

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!

Special thanks to Rene Cifuentes for hosting our Study Center students at his home for a holiday celebration!

Dear ,

What an exciting year

it has been for Xela AID. Read on to see what we've accomplished recently with your support!

Looking for something special to do with your sweetheart for
Valentine's Day weekend? Join us on Feb. 15 (see event at left).

From all of us to all our Xela AID family, have a safe, healthy and happy holiday!

Leaders In Action Graduate

After three years of training that spanned nutrition, hygiene, ecology, computer studies, English, numerous community service projects and more, Xela AID welcomed the first class of "Leaders in Action" Graduates, the Class of 2013. Many of these Leaders have already taken leadership roles in their communities. Special thanks to Luis Enrique de Le�n for having organized and mentored this group; Rosario Ordo�ez who coordinated this group and continues to serve as Coordinator of the ongoing leaders group; and Sue Rikalo, Xela AID's Chair of the Board, for her support and leadership which made this important program possible. Other Leader sponsors include Kathy Nicolson, Maddy Nicolson and family, and Susan McCaw and family. Thanks to all!

Murals Help Foster an Appreciation

For a Clean Environment

Xela AID's Leaders in Action do community work as part of their three-year leadership training, and have a special focus on helping to promote a clean environment. Here they have created beautiful murals adorning the walls of this very public and central landmark. The Leaders in Action program is made possible by the generosity of Xela AID Board Chair Susan Rikalo.

New Classroom For Las Nubes

Where Summer Service Trip Will Focus

The tiny mountain community of Las Nubes is located in Xela AID's service area of San Martin Sacatepequez, about 20 minutes from San Martin Chiquito, the base of Xela AID operations. Only a few years ago, the community was unreachable for vehicles - a full TWO HOUR hike up a thin, winding path from a main road.

The community opened its first school in 1998 - a rickety wood shed which was the most they could afford. In this tiny building, light streamed through spaces in the walls as did wind and rain! Big enough for just about 20 students at a time, the community's 110 students have studied in shifts.

This month, a beautiful new and much larger classroom of brick has been finished, made possible by Xela AID volunteer and benefactor of our Women's Literacy Initiative Sherry Robin. The new classroom is devoted to children in their second and third year of study, and 30 will be able to gather at the same time.

We are excited for this community's children and look forward to visiting Las Nubes in a trip devoted to the community beginning August 1. (Click HERE for TRIP INFORMATION)

Warmly,

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: