We're conscious that many of our wedding guests wish to acknowledge our marriage by way of a small gift. We're very keen that you consider supporting one of our 'wedding charities' as a worthy alternative.
One of our favoured charities is Global Vision International.
I (Bláthnaid) spent a few weeks in late 2007 helping at a GVI project in Guatemala, giving extra help at a school project for indigenous Mayan children. These children come from communities which are often discrimated against in Guatemala. The children often work on the land and have little access to education, which if accessible is often of poor quality and costs money that their parents can ill afford. They speak one of 17 Mayan languages as a first language while Spanish is the language that you need to speak to get on in Guatemala.
Guatemala itself is close to being a failed state with high levels of crime and political corruption and no social service provision. Projects run by GVI in countries such as Guatemala seek to work with local community leaders to run projects that further access for locals to education and sustainable methods of food production. They work across communities working with children, their parents and older people.
This blog details a range of projects that GVI work with in Central and South America:
http://gviphoenix.blogspot.com/
This update is from the school project I helped with:
http://gviphoenix.blogspot.com/2009/03/itzapa-update-from-guatemala.html
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Guatemala and left with a huge admiration of these people's resolution and hard work in the face of much adversity. They took life as it came and when they could celebrated with fine fiestas with little or no resources and drawing on their rich cultural traditions. GVI is not giving handouts in these communities - they try to build on the people's own resources to make their lives better.
Your contribution will help.
Global Vision International gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
