AVIVARA
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April 12, 2012
My daughter and son-in-law (Kristin and Danny) visited AVIVARA a couple of years ago. They have wonderful reports about the dedicated staff and the impact they are making on the disadvantaged children in the area. Donations made to this organization are utilized efficiently and effectively.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
March 21, 2012
Avivara's multi-pronged effort is aimed at making a long-term, sustainable difference in the health and education of the Guatemalan people. This non-profit is run on a shoestring administrative budget, with almost no overhead, no advertising, and minimal fundraising. Basically, you are guaranteed that nearly all of your money is going to aid students who really, really need an extra helping hand to give them the chance to escape systemic poverty. My wife and I saw this first hand, as we spent two years traveling around the worlds, sometimes working with non-profits. Through a mutual connection we found Avivara. We stayed with Gary and Ann for two weeks and learned all about their program. We were incredibly impressed with all aspects of Avivara. Gary and Ann are retired educators from Washington, who have dedicated their lives to this cause. They, together with Gustavo, empower the local teachers with better training, teaching tools and school supplies. They work with the community to provide hot breakfast every morning so that the students can focus on their school work. Avivara also provides scholarships to students for continuing education. Most school children drop out between the 2nd and 6th grades. The Avivara scholarships help the family with the burden of sending children to a middle school or high school, which typically requires a daily bus ride, new books, and other school supplies. Avivara also runs a local after-school program in their headquarters. This is the single best non-profit I have seen. Your dollar goes a long way in Guatemala, but that's no reason to be stingy with your donations.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Why did you make your donation at this time?
We make donations to Avivara for several reasons. First, we do it because we know the money is needed and Avivara will spend it wisely and with powerful results. We also donate to Avivara as a gift, instead of giving physical goods for a wedding or birthday. Finally, we donate to set an example that if even people like us (who are technically below the US poverty line) can donate, then our friends and family can do the same.
September 27, 2010
I went to Guatemala earlier this year to see for myself the work that Avivara is doing to help students and parents and teachers in poor, small villages. I was very impressed with the approach the organization takes to its mission. It is analytical and amounts to a wholistic rather than band-aid approach. That is to say, Ann, Gary and Gustavo have put a lot of thought into how to get the best results in reducing poverty and misery of poor villagers and stem the tide of famlies that give up and move to the horrid slums of Guatemala City to try to eke out a living. They concluded that by giving the type of support that will help keep children in school, so they can go on to highschool and even beyond, where they can learn a skill or profession that, in turn, will help support and sustain their families in their home villages. I was also impressed with their bottom-up approach to giving aid -- which is to asking (rather than deciding themselves) what the teachers, parents and children need to assist in school development and increase the changes of students staying in school, then letting the locals do their job. I have rarely seen such dedication and thought put into a charitable organization. There is no waste and no b.s.-- these people are serious, love their work and know how to do it.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
in attending meetings with villagers where Avivara gets the parents involved in the school and seeing the excitement that the parents feel in being part of the process.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 30, 2010
I first visited Guatemala in 2006 and saw firsthand that the situation in the indigenous areas was a wake up call to what REAL poverty looks like. After researching Avivara's goals for education, especially for young indigenous women, I determined that they handled their finances very judiciously. They carefully use their donor's contributions to award scholarships to highly motivated students and provide school supplies and equipment to needy schools while keeping their administrative costs to an absolute minimum. I wish them the best and will continue to support them financially in the future.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
working on their behalf in fund-raising efforts in my local and church community.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
recommend that they train additional staff to maintain their sustainability into the future.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
its deep commitment to education for the children of Guatemala.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extremely dedicated, highly proficient in teaching and administrative skills and passionate about their mission.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
KICK BUTT!
Ways to make it better...
I could visit Guatemala more often.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the difficulty in raising funds during the current recession and health and security risks encountered by the Avivara staff.
One thing I'd also say is that...
it is important to get across to Americans that there is more to life than just stuff, and that people in the world are starving and simply need an opportunity to better themselves with dignity and self-respect.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 15, 2010
I have known Ann and Gary Teale for years. I have taught in elementary, middle school and high school. I taught with Gary for many years in a K-8 school in Seattle. I had the pleasure of teaching Ann's daughter (Gary's step-daughter twice) in middle school (7th and 8th grade math) and in high school math at Holy Names Academy in Seattle. As a teacher with a modest income, I research carefully where I donate my hard earned income. Loving education as I do and after reading "Three Cups of Tea" and the following "Stones Into Schools" both by Greg Mortenson I am convinced the way to benefit the world is through education, especially for girls. When you educate a boy, you educate an individual. When you educate a girl, you educate a whole family, and a community. I believe this to be true and the last best hope for the middle east, Pakistan and Afghanistan along with Central America, along with any other depressed populations of the world. I donate to Avivara because I know that every dollar is handled with respect and integrity with the focus on the ones who need the money the most. There is no question that Ann and Gary are good stewards of the money and the students in their care. I feel very excited that the little that I can donate is making a big difference to a female student in Guatemala and that this will enhance the rest of her life and also everyone her life touches, her children and her future students. Hurray! Life is good when you can give. I feel blessed, Judy Hall
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
that the donations are used for the benefit of the population in need.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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