II love Pueblo a Pueblo (PaP). I learned about PaP from a friend and began sponsoring a young Maya girl, who recently successfully completed 6th grade. I am now sponsoring her young brother. PaP also has a mother-infant program that is doing wonderful things to improve infant and child health. I have been a volunteer for a little more than three years now, and am very impressed with the leadership and the new directions they are taking the organization. New projects to set up organic gardens to support local school lunch programs and establishing school libraries are programs I can fully support. PaP is doing an excellent job, especially given current economic uncertainties.

I had the opportunity to volunteer with PaP in Guatemala — something I wholeheartedly recommend. In early 2008, I was able to spend 6 weeks in Santiago on Lake Atitlan in the central highlands. I simply fell in love with the country and the indigenous people I met there. It is a paradise, but the people have so many needs. Malnutrition is the biggest problem, followed by poor maternal health and high rates of infant mortality. The literacy rate is very low among the indigenous Maya. PaP is making a difference in Santiago Atitlan, and I will continue to support their program in any way I can.