Children's Project of the Xetawal Painters of San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala

This project is the creation of two painters, brothers Jose & Henry Mendez, who realized that some of the children who hung around their art gallery to watch and talk were interested in learning to paint, but also that they were children without active fathers, due to death, divorce or alcoholism.  Additionally, that their mothers were struggling to raise these children on minimal resources. 

Este proyecto es la creacion de dos pintores, los hermanos Jose & Henry Mendez, quienes les dieron cuento que algunos des los ninos que pasaban tiempo en su galeria para ver y hablar fueron interesada en aprender a pintar, pero tambien que ellos fueron ninos sin padres involucrados,por que del muerto, divorcio, o alcoholismo.  Ademas, que sus madres luchaban para criar sus ninos con escasos recursos.

They support the project on a percentage of the sales of their paintings from their gallery, by giving benefit events, and on the donations of visiting travelers.

Ellos apoyaban el proyecto de un porcentage de las ventas de sus pinturas de su galeria, por eventos o beneficios, y de los donaciones de visitantes extranjeros. 

Classes in drawing and paintings are given every Saturday morning, refreshments are always provided, and on occasion the children are treated to an excursion, a barbecue, or other special event.  Every six weeks the mothers are provided with a basket of basic foodstuffs, and when possible with children's clothing items and/or school supplies.

See the work of these painters with heart on the next page. 20% of the sale of larger paintings and 15% of the smaller go to support this project.   There are also directions for donating to the project; this will enable us to expand our services to the mothers and children, as well as accomodate more families who have asked to be part of the project.  97% of donations go to the families; 3% is for our umbrella organization, who also work in Belize and Haiti.

Ver las obras de estes pintores con corazon en la proxima pagina.  20% de la venta de las pinturas grandes y 15% de las mas pequenos van para apoyar este proyecto.   Hay direcciones para donar al proyecto, tambien.   Con muchissimas gracias.  Con este ayuda es posible accomodar mas families y dar mas servicios.

To see more photos of the project go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030966&id=1123995534&l=3ea17b2f16

You'll see photos of our children and their mothers, our benefits, food distributions, kids drawing and painting in different situations, the kite-flying day and other events. 

For more information on the community we serve, please see page 4 of this website. 

Contact Miranda at every14peace@yahoo.com if you would like to arrange a visit to San Pedro la Laguna and the project.

See website of our "umbrella organization" Doroteia Pathways Foundation, www.doroteia.org for information on donating or becoming a sponsor (madrina/padrino) of a child in this project.  A wonderful cultural exchange is possible for your and your family.