Through all the challenges of Covid-19 in Guatemala, Miracles in Action has persisted in educating mothers and health professionals in nutrition as well as supported other NGOs in nutrition and education. I’m proud of the work that Miracles in Action does in the most rural areas of Guatemala.
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I live in Guatemala year round and see many non-profits. Miracles n Action caught my heart and respect as it does work in the truly remote areas with some of the neediest people. I've been with Miracles to the mountains of Chiantla where the terrain is barren, the wind brutally cold and the people are wrapped in towels for shawls. They wanted a teacher for Pre School children. A community nearby built their own school...and desks! They wanted a new building. These are people willing to make their lives better and want a hand up, not a handout. Miracles looks for and supports projects that work!
Miracles in Action is changing lives for the poorest of the poor in Guatemala. Dedicated to the belief that education is the best way out of poverty, Miracles has built 57 schools. Miracles has continued it support in sustainable ways through women's economic empowerment and nutrition projects. 15 years of continuous miracles! So happy to be a part of this extraordinary organization.
I think the best way to know this charity is to watch a video on how it came about. A mother and daughter who could not look away when they experienced Extreme Poverty (defined as when every day is a struggle just to be alive. No water, food or shelter.) This is a poverty that does not exist in the US or any developed country. We have safety nets to prevent this level of poverty - food stamps, soup kitchens, neighbors and churches that are able to help poor people in the US. In Guatemala there are no safety nets, and people die, or try to come to the US to get work, earn a living and send their money back home to help their family.
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As Founder and a dedicated volunteer Director, there are several achievements that I am proud to tell you. We are an all volunteer non-profit oganization, where 100% of the donations go directly to projects, none to salaries and overhead. I office at home and keep expenses low. Any operational expenses are covered by the income we make in selling handicrafts made in Guatemala in the Mayan women's cottage industry. Selling handicrafts is the #1 fun, easy, and profitable activity that our volunteers enjoy. Not only does it raise funds for "Miracles", but it provides an income to the women making these beautiful things. Additionally, we apply the extra money made in sales to stoves, school supplies and other projects to help the women artisans - going beyond fair trade. Another achievement that I am proud to share is that in 6 years we funded the construction of 29 rural primary schools in the mountains of Guatemala, the installation of over 1600 safe vented stoves, 20 water systems, and 100s of water purifiers - all projects meeting our mission of helping poor families to help themselves.
Miracles in Action and its founder Penny Rambacher are helping those living in extreme poverty to help themselves through a hand up not a hand out. When we help those help themselves solve for very basic needs like safe water, education, and nutrition, we all can thrive. Families will then stay together, they will uplift their neighbors, their village, and their country.
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With thousands of Guatemalan immigrants coming to the US to escape extreme poverty, Miracles is giving a hand up versus a hand out. I have been volunteering for Miracles in Action for 10 years watching the founder, Penny Rambacher, fund and build 50+ schools, water filtration systems, safe stoves,implement nutrition programs, and provide the extreme poor an opportunity to receive fair wages for their handicrafts. Teaching the people of Guatemala to help themselves is the ultimate gift.
For many years, first as a volunteer and now as a Board member, I have experienced Miracles in Action doing just that...making miracles of change in some of the most impoverished areas of Guatemala. Working closely with quality grassroots organizations, MIA is committed to creating self sustaining projects that educate and empower the local population. Whether helping to build schools, provide job training , promote fair trade ,clean water and healthy nutrition , MIA is having a significant and lasting impact on alleviating poverty and improving the lives of the indigenous of Guatemala.
I became involved with Miracles in Action after my son and his wife adopted two boys from Guatemala at the age of 15 months. I "work" at the farm market selling the jewelry, purses, and other artifacts made by the Mayan women of Guatemala. It has been my pleasure to be associated with this great group of honest and hard-working people. Knowing that our efforts are helping to build schools, libraries, water systems, and other self-sustainable projects is very gratifying. It is a wonderful organization and I am very grateful to be a part of it. Pat D.
When my husband and I retired we wanted to donate to projects where we could see the results of our donations. After one trip to Guatemala and seeing the extremely poor children and their families, we wanted to help. Since then, my husband and I have funded many projects in Guatemala with Miracles In Action. Our favorites involve funding schools, vocational centers and workshop and the Teacher Training/Resource Center and of course scholarships for the older students. We love it that 100% of our donation goes to the projects. It is nice to know that even if you don't have millions to donate, you can still create a Miracle in the life of poor children in Guatemala with your donation to Miracles In Action, Inc.
I joined Miracles in Action on a trip to Guatemala in January 2007 and was so impressed with their networking, dedication, knowledge and ability to get real sustainable projects done. Also impressive is that 100% of donations go toward projects -- the minimal overhead is paid by selling Guatemalan handicrafts -- which not only pays for the small overhead, but also gives jobs to the women who make the crafts.