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Generational poverty | Guatemala | Guatemalan Widows

Presenting Aury: A Guatemalan Mother With Grit

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Jody Greenlee
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In October, FFF had the opportunity to visit a sch In October, FFF had the opportunity to visit a school in Guatemala, and as our team of volunteers from Finding Freedom Through Friendship said their goodbyes, these bright-eyed children waved us off with energy and enthusiasm. The children we met were full of intelligence and potential—They were eager to learn, curious, and joyful. It was difficult to see how their potential was limited by their school's lack of educational resources. 📚✏️ The classrooms had very few supplies to aid in their learning. This educational vacuum creates significant barriers, and without basic tools like books, pencils, and even paper, it becomes even harder for these children to thrive and unlock their full potential. It was a powerful reminder of how crucial it is for us to continue supporting these children and schools to ensure they have the opportunities they deserve. #FindingFreedomThroughFriendship #SupportEducation #EndTheEducationalGap #FutureLeaders
Ana and her daughter are one of those FFF families Ana and her daughter are one of those FFF families that fall into the "what can possibly happen to them next" category. Because social media is worldwide, and Ana's story is her to tell, I will simply say that Ana is to be commended for her faith in a better future and her ability to still smile. This year, through the generosity of our donors, FFF was able to gift 20 food baskets to families in rural Guatemala who are struggling with food scarcity. The baskets included not only essential food items but also traditional Guatemalan Christmas foods, which are an important part of their cultural identity. Thank you for lifting Ana and her family up for the holidays. She deserves this small gift more than you know. #mayanmamas #guatemala
One of my favorite photos from our recent Finding One of my favorite photos from our recent Finding Freedom Through Friendship trip to Guatemala. During our time at a small medical clinic in a remote rural school, we had the privilege of spending the day with students and their mothers. Two young girls, in particular, stood out—they were eager to help me count vitamins and label bags, spending hours participating in anything we could find for them. Their enthusiasm, sharp wit, and quick learning impressed me, and we have thought of them often since our departure. What might their lives look like with access to quality education, reliable healthcare, and the promise of a better future? Sadly, these two girls may never get to answer that question the way we would hope, but I have no doubt they'll make the most of every opportunity they’re given. One of our goals in 2025 is to fund educational resources for their school, helping to ensure that these bright, resilient children have the tools they need to shape their own futures. #mayanmamas #Guatemala #education
Madelin and Delio are just two of the students at Madelin and Delio are just two of the students at our Academia ALAS Tutoring Center in Guatemala. During our FFF team’s recent visit, the children proudly dressed in their finest clothes to welcome us. While these smiles are heartwarming, they also mask a difficult truth: most of these children experience food scarcity at home, impacting their ability to focus, grow, and thrive. At Academia ALAS, we bridge this gap by providing each of our 43 students with a nutritious snack every day they attend. For many, this is the most reliable source of nourishment they receive. These snacks are crucial in supporting their physical health, concentration, and learning capacity, often filling a void that isn’t met at home. For just $25 per year, you can ensure that one child has consistent access to these essential snacks. By supporting this initiative, you are giving these children more than just food; you’re investing in their potential and well-being. https://www.finding-freedom-through-friendship.org. #mayanmamas #educación #guatemalangirl #guatemalanchildren
Who remembers the humiliation (and failing grades) Who remembers the humiliation (and failing grades) that came with inadequate vision in school? I was one of those students who was too shy to admit that I couldn't see the blackboard at the front of the elementary school class. When my report card became too dismal to ignore, I found myself in the office of our friendly local optomitrist. Thankfully Irene's vision deficiencies were noted early. She received her life-changing prescription glasses as part of our vision screening program for FFF's Wings of Freedom Tutoring Center in Egypt. Thanks to the donations of eyeglass frames (from our loyal supporters in the States) and the skill of Egyptian optomitrists, Irene and many of her classmates received donated eyeglasses. The struggle to visualize educational information that Irene couldn't see has now been replaced with the joy of knowing that she can be academically competitive in her class. The donation of eyeglasses may seem like a low priority for a child whose family struggles to provide basic necessities. We would argue that good vision is essential for safety, education and self-reliance. The 40% of Irene's classmates who received free prescription eyewear agree! #fffmayanmamas #SupportSustainability #SustainableChange #educationmatters #egytianchildren
October’s Ripple Effect: Transforming Lives at F October’s Ripple Effect: Transforming Lives at FFF https://mailchi.mp/freedomthroughfriendship/octobers-ripple-effect-transforming-lives-at-fff
Mayan women shoulder incredible burdens each day. Mayan women shoulder incredible burdens each day. They labor tirelessly—gathering firewood, carrying heavy loads of water and laundry, and tending to their families and crops. These basic chores, which many of us take for granted, can consume their entire day, leaving little time for education, rest, or personal growth. With limited access to resources like clean water and efficient cooking tools, each task becomes a marathon. And while our FFF widows carry the weight of their homes on their backs, they are also the pillars of their communities—preserving culture, raising the next generation, and striving for a better future for their children. We see their strength, perseverance, and unwavering dedication during our home visits. I took this photo ten days ago while visiting Anabella's home. Her two room house holds three generations (formerly four before the recent passing of the 92 yr old grandmother). What you don't see in this photo is the severely disabled adult daughter and the one-year-old grandson, born with a significant birth injury that has left him blind and mentally impaired. The needs of this family have been helped by our monthly food donations, but the reality of their daily challenges feels unsurmountable to them and us. While this family deserves more than survival; it is the best we can do for them at this moment. Our next donation is a trip to a pediatric specialist who can review the baby's FFF-donated CAT scan and help this fragile family prepare for life with two disabled occupants in the household. Meanwhile, the laundry has to be done. FFF's role in the lives of our widows is to be their voice: to bear witness to their stories. They look to us for support and provision of basic needs. What they give us in return is an appreciation for the ease of our lives in America and the inspiration to continue our efforts on their behalf. #EmpowerMayanWomen #RuralResilience #SupportSustainability #fffmayanmamas
🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Marguerite Doyle 🌟 W 🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Marguerite Doyle 🌟 We are incredibly grateful for the tireless dedication and enthusiasm of Marguerite Doyle, one of our most committed volunteers! As our CFO, Marguerite works passionately, often volunteering over 60 hours a week, to support sustainable transformation for economically marginalized women and children in our program. Currently, Marguerite is reviewing our Finding Freedom Through Friendship initiative in Egypt: six programs aimed at empowering women and children while creating lasting change in their communities. Her unwavering commitment and expertise is truly inspiring and keeps our board motivated to continue our work. We are so fortunate to have her on our team! ❤️ Please join us in thanking Marguerite for all that she does to make the world a better place! #VolunteerAppreciation #SustainableChange #WomenEmpowerment #ThankYouMarguerite
Today, I’m appealing for help to support a famil Today, I’m appealing for help to support a family in crisis in a remote village in Guatemala. A tragedy has left a newborn baby without his mother, Catarina, who died last week of a treatable illness. Although her husband took out a loan to pay Catarina's medical bills, her kidneys had already failed, and she died a difficult and prolonged death. In this small community, there are no social services available to provide emergency formula for infants who lose access to breast milk. The father, now solely responsible for three young children, is struggling to care for his newborn while managing the needs of his two older children. Without access to formula, this baby's health is at risk. We are doing everything we can to help this family, but we need funds to purchase infant formula and ensure this child receives proper nutrition. Finding Freedom Through Friendship has given the father the $20 USD he needs to purchase one can of formula. The cost of infant formula in Guatemala is no less (and often more so) expensive than in the states. A gift of any amount will help cover the cost of formula and provide much-needed relief to a family in need. I will be interviewing the father of this baby next week in his village and will provide an update when I return to the States in early October. Meanwhile, any funds sent over this next week will help support the needs of the infant formula and food for the siblings. Thank you for your compassion and generosity during this critical time. Every contribution helps safeguard the future of this baby. https://www.finding-freedom-through-friendship.org/donate.html * If you make a donation, please let me know via messenger. Our online donation portal only allows me to access donor info at the beginning of the following month. #fffmayanmamas, #malnutrition #maternalhealthmatters
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Jody Greenlee c/o
Finding Freedom Through Friendship
1781 Eastwood Drive, Lexington, KY 40502 jody@freedomthroughfriendship.org

Marguerite Doyle c/o
Finding Freedom Through Friendship
95023 Sandpiper Loop, Amelia Island, FL 32034
doyle@freedomthroughfriendship.org

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