Local Hope Guatemala / Xela AID Partnerships for Self Reliance

Being involved with Local Hope and watching it evolve has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I love seeing firsthand how effective my donations are and meeting the people who benefit, many of whom have become real friends.

The young people whom I met in our Leader's groups are now the professionals responsible for operations in Guatemala - they embody the maxim that "local solutions are lasting solutions". Staff members are passionate about their work and community, accountable and solutions oriented.

The guest house and restaurant create jobs and are helping to create income for the organization. A new focus is job creation in the community so that locals can choose to stay at home and prosper. It will not be a 'band-aid" but an impactful program. We seem to be evolving at an incredible pace and I can't wait to see where we go from here.

As a non-profit consultant who has led several wholistic and wrap around service organizations in Guatemala in the past 37 years, it is sometimes hard to surprise me, but Xela Aid has, and only in the most positive ways. The local Guatemala leadership has welcomed me for partnership meetings working on pandemic pivots and I have also stayed in the eco guest house several times, always receiving warm hospitality, great food, but mostly a bird´s eye view into how things ¨really work. ¨ The words continuity, consistency, integrity, joy and honor come to mind. The way in which the local leadership, ED, Board of Directors and partners work together, respect each other and remain truly equal in voice is phenomenal, something I rarely see in my line of work. Watching the Montessori teachers with their students, seeing the computer lab full of bright-eyed young people, observing the way the medical staff explains clearly and compassionately in the Mam language what the next steps are for a patient, have all been highlights for me. The quality of services, intentionality surrounding sustainability and just plain practical execution of ideals and values, make this a non-profit worthy to serve with, visit, to learn from to help others and definitely to financially support.

This is an amazing organization. I became involved after my son did a "soccer diplomacy" tour sponsored by Xela where he played football with local children in a number of villages. I became an avid supporter after I learned more about the work Xela was doing and how easy it was to help out and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local folks. The charity is run by the most wonderful people who are always looking for new ways to fulfill their mission to promote self-reliance and improve lives.

Local Hope is an outstanding of how a nonprofit SHOUDL work and grow. I have witnessed several projects they have implemented in their community and have seen the always growing support they recieve from the community as well as an increased international support to fund their projects due to their success. One of the best aspects of this non profit is how they have involved former benficiaries of their projects into the organization at all levels, making them every day more and more self sustaining and better focused and when and how they can best help the community.

I have been involved with this organization since 1995 and I am currently serving my second Board term. I, and my family, are firm believers in the mission of Local Hope/Xela Aid. (My Dad, a former high school teacher, just made a $25K gift to support our mission.) Xela Aid's enduring presence in Guatemala is a testament to the leadership of the people of Xela Aid. If you would like to support the lives of people in the highlands of Guatemala, I strongly encourage you to look into this organization.

I am a retired judge and lay psychoanalyst with years of experience with problems of children and youth in trouble. I volunteered years ago to liaison with the on staff psychologist to help in the development of psychological counseling to children and adults.
It is amazing how the program is able to bring therapeutic interventions to practical daily needs of the local population: whether group counseling to empower the women of the weaving cooperative or establishing a Montessori school for close to 100 Mayan children and preparing them to fully participate in a modern society, Similarly, the program is most creative in addressing core community needs such as providing clean water, education, and
job training in a creative self sustainable model.

Your experience with Local Hope in the highlands of Guatemala will be authentic and unique! The planning and logistics will make you feel safe at all times and you will be in the hands of experts who will take care of you and ensure that you have a good experience. You will have cultural exchanges and you will fall in love with the time you spend with local people. You will love the food and the view of the place from your room. If you are an adventurer, want something different, feel the call to do new things and help people, trips with Local Hope is the opportunity you are looking for!

Local Hope Guatemala/Xela AID Partnerships for Self Reliance is one of those organizations that “Punches above its weight.” I have over 30 years of experience in working, consulting, volunteering, and serving nonprofits. Xela AID does so much with so little, leveraging every dollar to fulfill its mission, which is to empower families and communities to be healthy, educated and self-reliant. Xela AID is an exceptional non-profit organization that not only makes a tangible difference in the lives of communities in need but also provides incredible volunteering opportunities for individuals passionate about making a positive impact in the world.

I have been involved with Xela AID since 2015 and have been on multiple trips with family, friends and other volunteers. As a volunteer with Xela Aid, I had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the transformative power of service. Some of the activities we have been involved with have included: distributing over hundreds of shoes to needy children and youth; teaching ESL to children and youth; teaching youth public speaking skills; providing education on nutrition to young mothers; constructing and gifting chicken coops and chickens to needy families; working on construction projects; delivering and installing water filters in local homes; conducting healthy child clinics; providing education on the impact of drugs and alcohol; and working in Xela AID’s preschool and study center programs serving hundred of children. Every moment spent volunteering with Xela AID felt purposeful and rewarding.

What sets Xela AID apart is its commitment to sustainable and community-driven solutions. Rather than imposing external ideas, Xela AID works closely with local leaders and residents to identify needs and develop initiatives that empower communities to thrive independently. This approach ensures that the impact of volunteering with Xela Aid extends far beyond the duration of a volunteer's stay, creating lasting change that continues to benefit generations to come.

Overall, my experience volunteering with Xela AID was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only have I had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that are making a real difference in the world, but I also have formed lifelong friendships and gained invaluable insights that have profoundly shaped my worldview. I wholeheartedly recommend Xela Aid to anyone seeking an impactful and rewarding volunteering experience.

I have been with this organization in one role or another for most of its 30-year history. During my time, I have seen it develop from a collection of well-intentioned US volunteers trying to make a difference in San Martin Chiquito to a highly effective organization that improves the health, education, environment and economic conditions for the people of the community. In my observation the indicators that make Local Hope/Zela AID Partnerships for Self Reliance stand out include:
1. Years of investment in the education of children have paid off. The Guatemalan operation (Xela AID) is led by a highly competent home grown staff who have clear programmatic responsibilities and who define and measure their annual performance goals.
2. Progressive board development and education by the Local Hope arm have resulted in a board that is strategic, planful, and committed to supporting Xela AID through a wide range of charitable giving pathways. Local Hope is now in the midst of a capital campaign to sustain Xela AID for the long term.
3. The first building Xela AID built was a primitive weaver's hut. Now, there are two modern and useful mult-story buildings that house: health care clinics and services, classrooms for pre-school and special needs children; spaces for after-school study; eco-guest lodge and banquet facilities that provide employment and income to Xela AID; computer classrooms to support student learning; meeting spaces for womens' literacy classes, youth leadership programs, and Senior Citizen services and support.

In short, all of the essential structures and processes are in place that would make any organization envious. Because I have had the privilege of seeing Local Hope/Xela AID mature over time into a vibrant and critical contributor to a remote Guatemalan village, I have made it a priority for my time and resources.

I recently traveled with a group to Guatemala and stayed at the new Eco Guest House at the Xela AID project. This is such a wonderful facility and the projects that we worked on were the most fulfilling activities with children of the local village. The kids were so well behaved, and the leadership of the organization made us feel welcomed. I would recommend this experience to anyone wishing for a true volunteer vacation with a purpose.

One of the best experiences of my life!! Xela aid is such a caring and loving organization and I’m so proud to have been a part of it and to continue to do so.They take such great care of the people out there and do so much for the community it’s honestly astonishing.Let alone how well they take care of you out there and the memories you get to make with the community and the other volunteers.Much love to Xela aid and if you want to be a part of the Xela family I highly recommend!!

The experience I had with Xela AID was one of the best things that could have ever happened to me. Every single person there works together to help the people of Guatemala. Not only do they oversee the people from afar, but they create relationships and connect to the people which I feel is something that is very necessary. Getting the opportunity to help and teach these kids allowed me to see just how tremendous the effect they had on these children were, every single child was grateful and appreciative and loved being there. I highly recommend working with Xela AID.

After being postponed three years by the pandemic, my family finally went to Guatemala to get directly involved with the service projects Signal Hill Rotary has been supporting since 2017.

Leslie Baer Dinkel’s original vision now inspires generations of Guatemalan and volunteers so the poverty-stricken highland community can thrive without having to export its labor force to other countries for financial opportunities.

It began with clean water, followed by education and healthcare. Financial independence is the final step for a thriving local community that preserves the rich cultural traditions of the Mayan heritage while empowering women.

https://www.signalhillrotary.org/news/local-hope-guatemala

This summer I participated in a volunteer trip with Xela Aid. It far exceeded my expectations! The trip leaders were warm, Friendly, and knowledgeable about the organization's goals and mission. They set us up dauly with meaningful activities that matched our interests and strengths. I learned so much about both myself and the community we served. I feel very enriched and ready to return for another amazing experience with Xela Aid!

I first traveled with Xela AID in 2019 and then returned to lead a trip this past summer. It's always such a great experience, and even better now that the Eco Lodge is up and running in San Martin! As always, every volunteer is well cared for and encouraged to participate in whatever ways feel right to them. I'm a big fan of these service trips and always feel so content when it's time to return home. I'd volunteer with Xela AID anytime.

The sheer passion of Xela Aid/local Hope is like none I have ever witnessed. Their dedication to the people and work in Guatemala shows in every detail. I am amazed by their accomplishments, and grateful to be involved in some small way.

We have been so honored to have been able to be a part of this wonderful organization’s mission in Guatemala. From participating in service trips, to sponsoring a child in need, and including wonderful tourism sites and experiences. We have thoroughly enjoyed assisting Xela Aid Local Hope’s mission in Guatemala. This integrity driven & heart centered organization, provides wonderful services & service opportunities for so many. Deeply connected and “on the ground”, doing the work that matters most to so many in such desperate need. We thank God for being fortunate enough to have met up with and participated in this organizations service and culturally enriching activities.
When you give, whether it be a monetary donation or your time in volunteering, you’ll receive so much more it return!

Xela Aide - Local Hope is remarkable organization. They are dealing with a very complex need, in a small corner of the world, and doing it with grace and efficiency. Above all, they recognize that quality of life transcends food and shelter (although those are primary concerns). They work hard to advance healthcare, education, personal growth and expression, which gives individuals a chance to surmount the poverty they were born into, while honoring the local culture and customs.

Local Hope/Xela Aid is an amazing, integrity based organization, which I feel blessed to be able to assist. Their service trip opportunities are always deeply enriching and fulfilling experiences. If you’re considering service with and/or donating to a truly impactful group of like-minded souls, you’ve found your calling. You’ll also have the opportunity to make great lifelong friends, along the way!!!

In June of 2022, I took a trip to see the Xela AID projects in Guatemala where there is still a great deal of poverty. We were able to see how the development projects of Xela AID affected the communities nearby. We were witness to many success stories of people who became, not only self-sufficient but also becoming leaders who pass on their skills to their communities.
The volunteer group I belonged to was very well cared for in the comfortable Xela AID compound and also got to do some educational sight-seeing. Yet we still had the opportunity to participate in helpful projects all while getting to learn crafts and skills from the local people who welcomed us so hospitably. Fantastic experience. Learned so much! I recommend this to everyone!
Claire Shihadeh 2022

I, my church Youth Group, and other members participated in an intergenerational trip to San Martin Sacatepéquez with short stops in Antigua and Lake Atitlan before and after. I can not speak highly enough of the coordination, facilities, and experience provided by Xela Aid and partners during the trip. Project work exposed my group to the challenges faced by local people, some real-life actions to address some of those challenges, and most importantly, long-term strategies for improving community health and livelihoods. All members of our group were clearly moved by personal interactions with community members, their children, and Guatemalan staff. I was particularly affected by the stories of the staff, who not only worked long hours to make our stay comfortable and our project work successful, but were examples of how Xela-Aid's education programs and leadership training succeeded in improving their lives, their family's lives, and those in their community.

I am a major donor who enthusiastically supports and endorses this strategic, creative, impactful and cost-efficient organization. Local Hope/Xela AID accomplishes so much for hundreds upon hundreds of Guatemalan families facing abject poverty and starvation in rural villages--not only keeping these many families alive during the pandemic, but simultaneously keeping countless Guatemalan children and families growing, learning and working toward self-reliance in spite of the pandemic.

If you want to make a real difference in rural Guatemala in culturally respectful and empowering ways, support--and tell your friends about--Local Hope/Xela AID. Visit their website and read just one of their monthly newsletters. You will see exactly what your gifts are achieving. Their on-the-ground, real-time programs--directly involving local community leaders and staff--are relevant, simple, direct, empowering and well-managed.

I have spoken at length with the management team, and I've had the pleasure of meeting board members.; they are wise administrators and trustworthy stewards of your charitable gifts. Join us in advancing Local Hope Guatemala / Xela AID Partnerships for Self Reliance.

I am the proud possessor of a variety of woven items and beautiful earrings from the highly skilled weavers and beaders from the small town of Xela, Guatemala.

The colors, designs and artistry of each piece iare extraordinary. I have unusual water bottle holders, purses and even a stuffed frog. These are too interesting to stuff in a closet or drawer, so I display them in a handwoven basket on a shelf in my living room. They are truly works of art - not to mention practical when not on display.

I would encourage everyone to take part in Xela Aid's annual online auction. I bid on and won a Los Angeles travel brochure from the early 30s. It was probably given away by travel agencies as an incentive to visit. I think I paid $30 for it, but it truned out to be priceless. As a native Angeleno (as was my mother), I saw things that I hadn't known were that old, like my high school, and many places my mother had told me about that she visited growing up. Some are still there, some, unfortunately, are lost to history. Priceless.

This organization is doing excellent work in Guatemala. I would highly recommend taking one of their service trips!

Just recently returned home from traveling in Peru with Local Hope / Xela Aid. This was my 2nd journey with them, the first being a service trip to Guatemala in 2018. We visited Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon, and it was the trip of a lifetime! Leslie and Mel did an excellent job of planning our itinerary, and found a superb local guide, Fidelus Coraza Morveli, of Peru Ancestral, to accompany us. Travel during the pandemic provides both challenges and rewards, and Peru’s tourism industry has suffered a great deal lately. I was extremely impressed with the Peruvian people, who were extremely compliant with masking and sanitizing guidelines, while always behaving in a warm and welcoming manner. Everyone with whom we interacted, from hotel and restaurant staff, shopkeepers and street merchants, to locals who shared their stories and talents with us, all expressed their gratitude for our visit in these challenging times. We had the privilege of delivering some basic school supplies to children in the highlands who had been unable to access even paper and pencils due to the pandemic. The opportunity to visit and talk with the children and their community leaders truly enhanced our global understanding of the challenges that the pandemic has brought to our world. Our time in the Amazon was spent at a lodge run by another nonprofit, Angels of the Amazon. In addition to the very thrilling ( but safe) canopy zip line, jungle hikes with animal sightings and piranha fishing, we had the unique opportunity to see another nonprofit in action. We toured their medical clinic, shopped at their basket weaving cooperative, enjoyed a presentation by a biologist whose research they sponsored, and enjoyed the expertise of the lodge’s guides in all of our activities. Throughout the trip, Leslie, Mel, and Fidelus all consistently flexed our plans when necessary, kept us all informed as plans evolved, and were continuously responsive to everyone’s welfare. The trip was made even more meaningful as a result of their very competent leadership and their unique point of view as a nonprofit. Any travel with Local Hope / Xela Aid will definitely change your life and your view of the world, and in turn, better enable you to make a positive change as well!

We had the best experience traveling with Xela AID. Having just returned from our trip to Machu picchu we could not have had a better experience. Just making new friends was worth the trip. We had a great tour guide Fidelus was with us every step of the way. A wonderful and energetic tour guide.
Many Thanks to Xela AID for a spectacular adventure.

The people who work and volunteer here are not only some of the highest quality and most ethical folks I've ever met but they have and continue to increase their LIVESAVING WORK year after year...always growing their outreach and quality of assistance for the challenged villages they serve so well.

I have been volunteering with Xela Aid as a Spanish-English tutor with one of their employees in Guatemala and it has been a wonderful exchange and experience. Xela Aid's commitment to the San Martin Chiquita community and the collaboration between the Guatemalan and American teams makes it a truly special organization. I have been impressed with the way that they have pivoted their programming during the pandemic and continued a focus on empowerment and self reliance with the communities and individuals that they work with. I am honored to be a part of this organization and encourage anyone who can to volunteer and donate to support their work!!

My wife and I went on our first trip with Xela AID Partnerships for Self Reliance to Guatemala in 2011 or so. The organization has grown tremendously since that time and now has a local staff of a dozen or so. Over the years, and many additional service trips to Guatemala, Jill and I have become much more involved in the organization, including now both being on the board of directors. One of the things that I find most meaningful about the organization is that it is focused on the people in the community who need the most help, but doing it in a way that is a partnership, rather than charity. The organization is built around mutual responsibility and the results show this: many of the local staff are the shining examples of the positive results the various programs Xela AID provides community members - of all ages - for bettering lives in a holistic way. I'm very proud to be a part of Xela AID Partnerships for Self Reliance because it makes a real and meaningful difference in people's lives.

I got connected to Xela Aid by friends who serve on the board. I am a sustainability professional with a focus on international waste and recycling and have been working in the field more than 25 years. I seen many efforts that work on community building and economic development in extremely vulnerable communities in Brazil, India, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico . Most initiatives start up and then fade out. The long term dedication of Xela Aid to build resilience from the ground up in the communities they serve are transformational. I have been incredibly impressed. This past year we began supporting the education of two young men and look forward to continuing to doing so.

I have been a donor to Xela AID in the past, but this year I have become closer to the organization by volunteering as an English tutor. More than ever, I am so impressed by the staff, board, and volunteers; the impact they make to the education and welfare of the children and families they serve is phenomenal and inspiring.

I’ve been volunteering with XelaAid/Local Hope since 2007, and have been on and led a number of volunteer trips. It has been a rewarding experience, and the progress has been wonderful. I could say a lot more, but to illustrate how credible this organization is, I’ll just describe its relationship with Rotary International (RI). XelaAid/Local Hope has received major back to back grants from RI for sanitation, water, and educational projects in Guatemala, and anyone who has ever been through the process of getting such a grant knows it’s one of the most challenging, thoroughly researched, validated, and audited applications that exist...and if you make it through the process, it shows the world that your organization is highly credible. Getting a second grant just doesn’t happen unless your outcomes from the first are highly successful...it’s truly one of the greatest marks of credibility any nonprofit can hope to achieve.

I prefer giving my time and my philanthropic dollars to organizations who do what they say they will, are highly successful at doing so, and have real impact on making the world a better place. That’s why I am still supporting XelaAid/Local Hope 13 years after my first experience with them.

I first went on a trip with Xela Aid in 2015 and it really changed my life and perspective of the world and my own cultural identity. I have Guatemalan heritage but felt disconnected to this part of me prior to the trip. Going on a Xela Aid trip opened my world and allowed me to experience the beauty and rich culture of Guatemala and its people. I learned so much about the country participating in a variety of volunteer activities and felt honored to take part in Xela Aid's well established support that continues to improve lives through a wide range of methods. They take incredible care of their volunteers and it truly is the most rewarding experience of my life.

I just returned from another fabulous experience with Xela AID Partnerships for Self Reliance. This was my third trip with Xela AID and I was so looking forward to seeing my Guatemalan friends and doing my small part to improve the lives of the people and community of San Martín Chile Verde. My favorite activity is delivering water filtration systems to families and teaching them how to use and maintain the systems. I believe that clean water is the basis and foundation of health and life so it's vital to enable families to have pure water. At one home, a small girl asked Leslie, the founder of Xela AID, with wonder - "Clean water, every day, for free?" Nothing makes my heart sing more than seeing how small acts of kindness make a huge impact. I highly recommend taking a service trip with Xela AID - it will change you forever by filling your heart and mind with the love of a beautiful country, people, and culture.

HI there, I actually went on a trip with XelaAid in 2018 and just came back from my 2nd trip 8/26/19. I was so inspired by my first trip that I partnered with XelaAid to bring several friends and acquaintances along with me. All I can say is that all my co-volunteers and I had an INCREDIBLE, rewarding experuience. This is by far the BEST NON-PROFIT organization out there and if ANYONE is looking to experience a service trip in Guatemala or wishes to support a non-profit organization in XelaAid, this is the best one to support. I love that it is not religious or politically driven and that everyone is welcome. Plus you cannot feel any safer than with XelaAid. They are top notch 100%

My daughter and I joined Xela AID for a second trip this summer since our 2018 experience was so rewarding. The work this group is doing to enrich and make this local community sustainable is amazing. I appreciate their efforts to work within the local culture and support the local Guatemalan leadership (who are so dedicated to the work they are doing to help their community). My daughter and I particularly enjoyed the direct contact we had with the children delivering shoes and working on art projects, and getting out into the community delivering water filters and chicken coops. My daughter is a sophomore in high school and this has really broadened her view of how she can make an impact on a community in need and also what big hearts the Guatemalan people have!

From an organizational perspective, Xela AID is top notch. I appreciate the couple of days at the start of the trip to get to know our group, then the number of days of service in the community followed by a couple of days of relaxing at the lake. A perfect balance of service and time to enjoy the country. The leaders were excellent at accommodating the needs of the group and able to switch up plans as necessary to make sure everyone had a positive experience. Transport throughout Guatemala was comfortable and our driver Carlos did an excellent job at driving us safely between each destination.

I went to a small village in the rural highlands of Guatemala to build chicken coops for Mayan families in need of a source of protein. This was my second trip with Xela AID and proved the first one was no fluke. Once again I had an incredibly enriching experience. Xela AID sees to every detail so that I am happy, safe, comfortable and able to focus completely on trying to offer any help I can to families in dire situations. The warmth and trust I received from these indigenous people is evidence of how significantly Xela AID has affected their lives. The children and adults you meet enthusiastically surround you with laughter and embraces simply because you have come as a part of Xela AID. Everyday building coops, sharing meals, entertaining kids, listening to their stories - one is overwhelmed by the deep and enduring love between the staff of Xela AID and the families of San Martin Chiquito.

This was my first time volunteering with XelaAid, and I must admit that the experience was a life changing one. I cannot even begin to share how inspired I became after participating with XelaAid in October of 2018. There were a group of 22 people that had never met and we bonded immediately. It was almost as if we all knew each other from the past. From experiencing the culture, to tasting their food, helping and playing with children, to change peoples' lives by providing them with Water Filtration systems, to painting a newly dedicated bathroom to a new school....every experience got better than the last. For anyone that EVER wants to give back and have fun while doing it with an incredible organization, you DEFINITELY should consider XelaAid. The founders, Leslie and Mel are "Saints" to say the least. They give their heart and soul and truly help women and men lead, develop and the locals of San Martin in Xela. Unlike many organizations, XelaAid EMPOWERS their local kids and families to become self sufficient and to help train, educate and motivate others in the area to lead better lives.

Xela AID is an organization that promotes self-reliance, and does not believe in handouts, but “hands up”. I spent 4 days at their facility in San Martin, Guatemala, and it was obvious from the moment the bus pulled up that Xela AID makes a differnece in that community. Their education programs to help break the cycle of poverty are so necessary, and the children that have graduated from their programs are helping others in their community break that cycle. I can’t wait until my next trip to Guatemala to help improve the lives of those living in the mountainous community and provide hope to the families in the area.

I am very impressed with Xela Aid. Traveling to Guatemala to work as a volunteer was a complete unknown for me and, in every way, the experience far, far exceeded my expectations. The trip was extremely well-planned from start to finish, and the leaders, Andrew and Ohana, were excellent guides. They were personable and approachable, but they were also highly organized and professional, which made the entire experience unfold smoothly. Leslie and Mel provided further support with their calm, knowledgeable, and warm presence. I loved traveling with other like-minded volunteers, and I had a terrific time getting to know such a great group of diverse people. Most of all, it was an honor and a pleasure to meet the wonderful people of San Martin Chiquito and have the opportunity to be of some assistance to them. I could see that the work we did in the village and the projects we completed would truly make a long-term difference to the community. I can recommend this nonprofit without a single reservation.

My experience with Xela AID was extraordinary in all the right ways. It was amazing to see first hand what a difference they are making in the lives of the villagers at San Martin. From delivering water filters to spending the day with my sponsored child, all the projects and activities opened my heart to new levels of gratitude and humility. I cannot say enough about the integrity, knowledge, and heart of this organization. It was a personal blessing to be one small piece of this organization.

A week ago we completed our second trip to Guatemala with Xela Aid. The combination of leadership, vision, and the company of those who self-selected themselves to be our traveling companions made this trip even more meaningful and satisfying than the first. We expect to be back again.

Our first hand experience visiting Xela Aid does showed how much their contributions matter to the community of San Martin Chiquita. Women, children, artists, everyone we encountered is learning enabling skills for self reliance and leadership that are compatible with retaining their beautiful ancient culture.

I had the pleasure of volunteering for Xela Aid in 2016, and the work they do for the community of San Martin Chiquito is amazing! They have many areas that you can volunteer in; I loved each area that I volunteered in like the preschool, art therapy and the afterschool program. You can't go wrong with whichever area you choose, and the people of San Martin Chiquito would be so grateful for your help. I had the best experience; it was truly life changing. It was by far one of the best trips I have been on, and I hope to volunteer with Xela Aid again in the future.

I found Xela Aid 10 years ago on Charity Navigator. I was looking for an aid organization to support that was helping in the vicinity of where my adopted daughter was born. I also wanted to know that my donations were going to people and not just to operating expenses.

My daughter and I just got back from our first trip with Xela Aid. I was very impressed by the work I saw being done by Xela Aid and with the future plans to expand their services while training up a new generation of leaders. I left feeling confident that my donations were being well used.

It was a wonderful trip to reintroduce my daughter to her birth culture as well.

MMS September 2017

I recently joined Xela AID for a two week trip to Guatemala.
This was my first time traveling with a non profit organization.
It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in visiting a beautiful country with humble and kind people.
This is a great organization that strives to make a difference and succeeds.

I participated in a Xela AID trip earlier this summer with several colleagues. The trip was super organized and focused on providing help and resources to those in need through several camps( a physics camp, women's studies camp, ... ).It has been a life changing trip that has taught me to appreciate the little things in life and to always be thankful. I highly recommend Xela AID for anyone trying to gain a new perspective on life and make a positive difference in the world.

Xela Aid deserves the high remarks for an organization doing great things. This organization is focuses on making sustainable change both for the communities they work in and for the people who help make it possible. The immersion in the culture that Xela Aid is able to provide vastly stands out from others. I have been on other trips with organizations that are not as thoughtful as those who run Xela Aid. Anyone who is able to take a trip with these wonderful people will have an experience unmatchable and will not regret it.

I have worked with Xela Aid on three different trips over the past four years, first as a volunteer, and now as trip leader with my husband. I can honestly say that I've never worked with an organization so committed to partnering with people to identify and achieve their goals for their families and community. Xela Aid is committed to go beyond placement of a bandaid on a wound. They work with the community to figure out how to truly fix problems
and enhance the lives of those they serve.

Why do I keep coming back to San Martín Chiquito? As a returning volunteer, I have come to love the families we serve as we develop friendships born out of working together to meet common goals and bring dreams to reality. I have worked in other countries on multiple trips, but I can honestly say, "Guatemala has my heart."

Come and join us!

I honestly cannot think of a more worthy cause this XelaAID - I just returned from a two week trip with Xela AiD to Guatemala and saw first hand what they are doing there in San Martin. What is impressive is that they do not simply provide stuff-they teach self reliance through mediums such as a co-op store that sells the wares the women make, or the pre-school (guarderia) they assist with, the computer lab, the clinic, the mental health resources they are providing is amazing. I cannot say enough about this organization.
If you're looking for a worthy cause to become a part of, you found it in Xela AID.

I've never had an experience with a nonprofit the way I had with Xela AID. Everyone was so welcoming and generous. Traveling to a new place to help those less fortunate is very rewarding, but after seeing what this organization is doing, it's encouraged me to try and do more, not just for Xela AID, but for other organizations. Leslie, the founder, is the most generous, caring person I have ever met in my life. You can see how genuinely concerned she is with making Guatemala a better place and works so hard to do everything she can to achieve that. The impact this organization has on the people of San Martin and neighboring villages is amazing. People are so unaware of what's happening in these places and the help from Xela AID is so impactful. I had the time of my life volunteering with them and would absolutely do it again.

Volunteering with Xela Aid was amazing! They have all kinds of programs that you can choose from and they are very flexible if you want to change to another program. It really was a life changing experience because not only do you volunteer, but you also get to know everyone. You end up becoming a family and make bonds that will change your world. The leaders of our trip did an amazing job at immersing us into Guatemalan life and culture. One thing they did was assign us a buddy and we got to eat lunch at their home, so we were able to see how they live and connect with them on a deeper level. The leaders are what really made this trip for me, they were very kind and generous, it was all worth it!

I recently returned from a great trip to Guatemala with a group of volunteers for the non-profit organization, Xela AID. The trip was wonderful in so many different ways. The projects involved working in the village of Mayan indigent people in the highlands area. These were so meaningful and well planned out. The people in the village were so warm, and appreciative that the whole experience will be remembered and treasured for the rest of my years.
Xela AID is an amazing organization. I would encourage all to support it any way possible.

I recently returned from my first visit to Guatemala as a Xela AID volunteer. The experience was incredibly heartwarming. The impact this organization has had on the village of St Martin over the years, and what they have been able to accomplish is impressive. I felt my time there was well spent, and I left with a connection to the people in the village and my fellow volunteers; a group of friendly, hard working folks with variety of expertise. Everything you do in Guatemala is greatly appreciated.
The trip was well organized, and I can highly recommend both the organization and the service trips offered by Xela AID.

Xela Aid is full of wonderful people, both stateside and in Guatemala. The leaders of our trip did an amazing job of utilizing each volunteer's talents and bringing the group together in meaningful ways. The staff in Guatemala are warm, welcoming, talented, and passionate. Overall, the trip was a great balance of relaxing/enjoying all that Guatemala has to offer and working on projects in San Martin. I highly recommend!

San Martin Chiquita is a village surrounded by small plots of terraced fields on the steep hillsides. The population is Mayan and many still wear the traditional hand woven clothing which reveal their innate love of color and pattern. There is small store in which the hand woven items can be purchased. Also there is a clinic, which was transformed into an optometrist clinic when I visited with the efficient VOSH team and their translators. Eventually they examined almost 500 people. I was teaching English to a group and one of my students was examined, returned with his glasses and wore them to read his assignment.

At the same time they initiated the use of new kitchen to provide lunch for the team, orchestrated by restaurant owners who taught the Mayan cooks the ins and outs of a modern kitchen. However, they made their tortillas by hand and served traditional Mayan food.

Everywhere in the village there was evidence of the many years of efforts made to change lives. I volunteered in the local school teaching English. The last day I taught there all the students and teachers were clearing the rooms to be painted by paint donated by Xela Aid. Soon they will introduce clean water systems to all the schools in the district.

I left energized and evolved. I would recommend Xela Aid as volunteer experience. It was my first volunteer experience and I will return to this little village where my enthusiastic students of English stole my heart.

What makes Xela AID and its trips an incredible, unforgettable experience is the people. The groups that they manage to put together are full of fun, interesting, and driven individuals who all bring something unique and exceptional to the team. Likewise, when you get to San Martin, the local Guatemalan staff are a group of all-stars doing amazing work and who are so eager to connect and share. My trip down to Guatemala was an unforgettable mix of fun adventures and truly meaningful, impactful work where I felt I grew personally as much as I helped locally.

I have gone with Xela Aid 3 times. I love the trip, the people and the great structure in San Martin Chiquito. The Mayan group in San Martin are the most welcoming, loving people I have ever met.
Xela Aid is a first class operation with a great mission.

Joel Heger

I met Leslie in the early 90's and was so compelled by the work she was doing ended up going to Guatemala as a volunteer with Xela Aid. The organization was pretty small at that point, but was doing such amazing work. Building a school, building structures in San Martin Chiquito, starting a weaving co-op, medical and dental work, etc. The work continued year round in the states with a group of weavers coming to the US every year and raising money by putting on weaving workshops and cooking classes. Leslie even expanded the vision to try to help and support weavers and other indigenous artists from around the world by starting a "World Weaving" event that, for a time, was held annually at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
For me, one of the best things about Xela Aid is that they are an organization that teaches a community how to sustain themselves and grow in positive ways. They just don't go in and provide "a band aid' for the problems that exist. One of the best examples is the education sponsorship program that has educated so many children in the community. It is amazing to me that babies and children I met in San Martin Chiquito in the early 90's are now educated adults that give back to their community.
Any positive impact I may have had as a volunteer and former Board Member is far outweighed by the impact this organization and the people in Xela and San Martin have had on me and my family. My children were blessed to get to know so many beautiful strong women from San Martin as they spent time with us every year when they came to the US. They became part of my family. My children were very young during this time, but still have wonderful memories of these times. in fact, at 18 years of age my daughter saved her own money so she could go to Guatemala as a Xela Aid volunteer. She loved her experience working in San Martin and was so well taken care of by the community and especially Luis Enrique and his family. Xela Aid is a true community!
I would highly recommend becoming involved with this organization and monetarily supporting their projects as they are excellent stewards of their funds. I hope to go back to Guatemala as a volunteer in the near future.

My collegues and I went to Guatemala with the Xela Aid team. It was such an amazing experience, and I would definitely do it again. I plan on returning since i was so impressed with the organization. I will cherish the memories with all of the people I had the chance to meet, and will hopefully see them again in the future. It was not only a great emotional experience but it was also extremely useful for educational purposes. I would definitely recommend others to get associated with Xela Aid.

My university--California State University, Fullerton--partnered with Xela Aid to create a study abroad course that focused on community engagement. It was an incredible experience for my students and for me. Xela Aid really knows the meaning of partnership. We worked together to make a meaningful and important course of study that my students benefitted from, and that I know they will continue to benefit from for the rest of their lives. The work that Xela Aid does is important, one could say vital, to the people of San Martin. It is also vital to the rest of us in the most basic sense of the word: Xela Aid is about life and lives.

Xela AID has completely changed my life. This incredible organization does more than just give back material goods. They give their time, passion and whole heart. The volunteer trip I went on was amazing. I had the opportunity to work hands on with the people of Guatemala by helping individuals enrich their lives. I also got to really see what Xela AID is all about. They have created leaders, many learning opportunities and hope for the people in the small village of San Martin. Xela AID truly gives people the feeling that they are making a difference. Changing the world!

I am a professor and have travelled multiple times to Central America and the Caribbean, often with students along as well. I have also done significant reading on the economics of global poverty. Many efforts fail from lack of on-the-ground communication and establishing of relationships. Often "development" or "mission" trips drop in to meet immediate "needs" as perceived from the outside with little regard to long-term impact and sustainability and can even do more harm than good (e.g. giving away clothes can be valuable or it can harm a local garment industry -- how can you know without relationship? [See "Toxic Charity" by Robert Lupton or "White Man's Burden" by William Easterly.] XelaAID, however, gets it right. They are building on over twenty years of relationship with the Mayan people of San Martin. Their focus is on long-term, sustainable, impact principally through education while thoughtfully and caringly meeting immediate needs as well. The people of San Martin clearly love Mel and Leslie and the other workers there. The children served find a bastion of safety and happiness amid lives that would otherwise be relegated to complete poverty and neglect. I am both proud and humbled to have worked with XelaAID. I trust them completely.

There is a reason Xela Aid recieved an award last year for their fantastic organization. This program is a well rounded, inclusive experience for both contributing members and the San Martin Chiquito village. Their continued efforts to improve the quality of life for so many people is very apparent. My time with Xela proved to be a heart warming and educational experience. I can only hope to volunteer with programs such as this shining example in the future!

Working with Xela Aid was a beautiful and life changing experience. I was unsure of what to expect in terms of the difference I would be able to make, but I saw powerful connections being made between all of the volunteers, including myself, and the people in San Martin. It is a beautiful place, but the people are what made the experience so overwhelming, in the best way.

I will be forever changed because of my time working with this nonprofit. Xela AID is an absolutely incredible organization. It is apparent how the lives of the villagers in San Martin have been touched by its efforts, and the amount of love and connection felt among the leaders, volunteers, and locals is overwhelming and humbling. Lives are positively changed every day thanks to Xela AID, and I look forward to seeing its continued and growing legacy.

My time with Xela Aid was absolutely life-changing. The amount of effort and love that is felt upon entering the clinic is astounding. The people of San Martin and surrounding areas are gaining invaluable care and skills that are allowing them to thrive. I love Xela Aid!

Going to Guatemala with Xela Aid was a life-changing experience for me. I was able to discovered the essence in my life which is to help others the way I was helped, receiving and giving love. Once I learned to love others, I learned how to live. At Guatemala there was so much love to give that we ended up receiving more. I learned that people is what makes places amazing, and at San Martin Chiquito people are the most loving and caring people I ever met. Since day one, we felt at home with people that learned to love us the way we are.
I learned this saying in a restaurant in Antigua: "the most difficult thing to open is a close mind." and going to Guatemala helped me broke part of my close mentality. The perspective of my culture was changed, and it will help many of us who decide to go back or do a humanitarian act around you (it does not have to be outside your neighborhood to do this) to transform your worldview.

There is to much to say about going to another country that if I was to write most of the experiences in here I will have to include an essay format review, so what many of us need to do to understand many behaviors of people is to go out and explore.

Definitely, if you have the chance to go to Guatemala with Xela Aid, please do it

My husband and I signed up for the March 2015 Guatemala trip with XelaAid. Wow what a wonderful experience. We have traveled extensively to many countries but this was the all time best trip we ever had. Starting out knowing only one other person we became instant friends with 14 others. Leslie and Mel really know how to run the most organized, fun, heartwarming trip you will ever be on. There is nothing they can't handle or work out. The "work" was a blast and and so rewarding. XelaAid is the best thing that has ever happened to us. And should you have any questions feel free to contact us.

My husband and I were two of the lucky volunteers who participated with the Xela Aid project in August 2014. We were instantly hooked when we went to the home of Leslie Baer for our first orientation in Huntington Beach. The people going on the trip were committed and excited to return to continue the on-going projects. When we arrived at the clinic, we were greeted as family and the joy and appreciation was felt the duration. To see what Xela Aid has accomplished over the past 22 years is more than impressive. Because of Xela Aid, houses for the impoverished were built, a clinic was built and now has 14 staff, the nearby schools have seen improvements, such as bathrooms, classrooms, and playgrounds, and much more. Nothing can be more satisfying than working along side the local people in their endeavor to better their lives. For sure, our lives have been enriched.

I am a physician and have had the opportunity to go to Guatemala twice in the past six months with two groups of wonderful volunteers of Xela AID nonprofit organization. Each trip has exceeded all expectations on many fronts. First of all, the trips have been well organized with group leaders being capable and pleasant people. The spirit and camaraderie of the other participants have been exceptional. The Mayan people who we work with and help are warm, caring and appreciative. They are quick to welcome you with a smile and a hug.
Xela AID seems to be at a point in it's long standing existence of over 20 years, where it is growing and gaining momentum. Much of this is do to the outstanding people involved and the special mission of helping and caring that is the cornerstone of Xela AID. This organization focuses on a comprehensive approach that facilitates self reliance and sustainability, both being so important for long terms success.
I highly recommend to anyone who wants to help others, find meaning in life and share some special time with special people, sign up and go down to Guatemala with Xela AID.

Having retired a few years ago from 40 years in public education as a teacher then an administrator, I welcomed the chance to get back into a classroom and teach some kids. My husband knew how much I had enjoyed my career in education and said he'd give a try being a teaching assistant. We loved it last year, we loved it this year, we'll probably go next year too. The students and staff in the San Martin area are amazing and we absolutely learned more from them than we taught them. As a professional educator, I can tell you that they have model programs where students not only master the basics but also have meaningful art, music and physical education programs. From an early age, students are encouraged to think about the future and choose a meaningful career. It is certainly a bonus to be a volunteer who speaks Spanish, but there are plenty of ways to contribute if you only speak English.

There were other projects this trip such as in working in adult literacy, in the newly-expanded medical clinic, with the young leaders. There was also a project to build a house for four orphaned children being cared for by their loving aunties. It was called "A House for Julia" and you should read all about it on the XelaAid website or FB page. My husband and I worked in the schools for three mornings and on the house the rest of the time. Earlier volunteer teams had it built, and it needed to be painted inside and out and furnished. The cooperation of the community with the volunteers was heartwarming and effective. We will never forget the tears of joy shed by our amazing leadership (Leslie, Luis and Mel), our team who worked on it, the local artisans and volunteers...and mostly the children and the aunties who never dreamed they would have a safe home with a roof that didn't leak, a real concrete floor, real beds, basic furniture, a stove and even a peach tree in the yard. This is an amazing non-profit and I am so glad we are a small part of it.

I guarantee you will be changed forever working with Xela AID to give a "hand-up" and not the proverbial "hand-out". The results are evidenced by the houses and schools being built. The leaders being trained to take care of those in their community. The education for better health and nutrition is helping the children become more confident and simply do better in school. It was so satisfying to work with these happy children. They are so interested in learning and trying new things.

The women are becoming even more literate and better able to take care of their families. They are being shown how to create micro businesses and either help support, or become the bread winner for their family. It is so empowering.

I was fortunate enough to have my sixteen year old daughter volunteer with me. Every once in awhile I would stop for a moment to watch the wonder, and see the sparkle in her eyes as she connected, played and shared with the children. She worked with all the other "grown-ups" on different projects like slinging concrete blocks helping to build a house for four orphans, assisting with testing and giving out eyewear for those that could not see well, and helping in the art class for the children.

The most wonderful outcome was on our last day, she wanted to sponsor a little girl so she would be able to complete her schooling. I was overjoyed.....I had already decided we would do that but it was even more meaningful to have her bring it up and we could share it with her "new sister" as she called her. She never left our side the rest of the day! My daughter is going to babysit, rake lawns or other things to make money to help sponsor her. She wants to be partially responsible for her personally. Talk about a life changing experience for my daughter and how proud I am of the choices she is now making. Her eyes have been opened and her heart has been touched because of Xela AID.

We will be going on more trips to visit (our new sponsoree) and help in many more ways. Maybe next time I'll get to help put in water filters in more of the homes like some of the others on our team did this trip. That is why I think Xela AID is so special...they are there in the community for the looooooong haul. Twenty two years and counting, not a once and done.

Thank you Xela AID for adding to our family through the awesome group members we worked with and all the new friends we made!

Till we see you all again, (soon)

Now is the time for confession--I am still seeking balance after this life-changing experience. I've experienced life-changing experiences before; nothing before like this. My husband Glen and I work at living a life which is aware of the plenty which those of us living in the US have by consuming less, 'living simply so that others may simply live.' Now again I am keenly aware of the accidents of birth.

Just living in that climate, up high in the 'cloud forest,' as our Costa Rican colleague called it, is challenging. Nothing ever really dries! In the centuries old traditions of the Mayan people, the weaving, is of cotton. The women (in the village of San Martin) make a length of beautiful fabric, then wear it as a skirt, wrapped around their bodies more than 1-1/2 times, tied tightly at the waistline with a doubled around sash woven of more heavy cotton. Very beautiful textiles. Always damp.

These people are so grateful for the assistance provided by Xela Aid that they do not question our motives at all. There is no bitterness or resentment, or begging for more. And they see Xela Aid volunteers 3 to 4 times per year, for the past 22 years. They see our willingness and respond and we see their willingness and respond. Reina seemed to want to find a place in my heart, or perhaps I wanted to find a place for her there. Both, and both have succeeded! It is a marvel I will reflect on for the rest of my life.

Now a few words about such a well-thought out and organized trip. It seems to be designed so that working people can take 6 days of their vacation time only, or 5 days and a sick day, easy to work into your schedule. The trip starts in beautiful Antigua, moves on to 4 days of organized yet flexible work with the people of San Martin, then ends in gorgeous Lake Atitlan.

The 4 days of work is divided into mornings and afternoons. The San Martin people cooked us hot delicious lunches each day--some with Asian influences, others more traditional corn tortillas (black and yellow corn), chicken, and beans. Always the beans! Each lunch was punctuated by a different salsa, from mild to hot, with very different ingredients. The work ranged from hard physical work of building a house, to distributing eco-water filters for improved hygiene, to teaching new sweets to cook and hopefully create a micro-business, to providing 'reading' glasses so the women can continue to sew, to art projects with the kids. That's what I organized, two art projects where we taught 22 10 year olds to tap holes into fresh eggs, blow out and preserve the egg, and paint the egg with colorful designs. Not one egg got broken during the tapping of the holes! Amazing. They have such skilled hand-eye coordination at very young ages. The second project, star weaving, which you may be more familiar with as Eyes of God (but we did not impose that name on them) or even sometimes as Dream Catchers, was a huge hit! Altogether over 40 kids aged 5 to 12 caught on to the weaving and started making their own designs the very first time! Both of these projects are sustainable, do not require resources they do not have, and can become artisan objects which could be sold. They did not wait to be taught—sometimes not long enough for the next step! They were eager to learn.

One of our young male colleagues worked on the construction project every day, morning and afternoon. Hard, dirty work. In what I learned to be his characteristically understated way, he said the work could be done much more effectively by machine, but this way of work gave him much to think about. Another, a woman gifted in many ways, taught the women to knit, an art they were not familiar with and which they learned eagerly. She was surrounded by up to 25 women daily, carrying their babies on their backs, with all the sounds and smells that many people and babies crowded into a damp room bring.

There is no religious talk. (Perhaps that is why the San Martin’s do not question our motives; we are there at their disposal.) There is sharing of thoughts and feelings in twice-daily 'check-ins.' From the very first time I realized that 'check-in' meant more than just seeing if you still had a pulse, I looked forward to learning what the others had felt and to lightening my burden while they listened. The founder and leader, Leslie Baer Dinkel, has a unique gift. She can speak of the pain and misery in an objective manner, and balance it out with humor, education, and sensitivity. I hope we had a fraction of the impact on these peoples' lives as they had on ours. Actually, I can be sure of that because Xela Aid has been around so long and yet approaches the work with fresh eyes and optimism each trip.

Not only Leslie, but everyone on this particular trip, had a sense of self and of wonder and of purpose which melded us into a very effective and congenial group. I have new old friends for life. Good leadership, Leslie!

Xela AID and the Guatemalan trip we just took is one of the BEST trips which my wife Myra and I could have ever imagined. Leslie who leads the experience of a lifetime is one finest human beings and shows this at every turn. Her energy and spirit is one of the most amazing ones that I have seen in my 70 years. From the outset, she was responsive to all our concerns. Her staff and her husband Mel make for one of the finest teams for this type of immersion experience. The hotel accommodations were outstanding, as well. A private bus took us everywhere, and the driver was most careful along the many highways and byways.
Antigua, Quetzaltenango, and Lake Atitlan were all so very impressive. Leslie threw in several wonderful surprise excursions which kept us smiling and delighted. I have told my two children (ages 27 & 29) that I will pay for them to join a Xela Aid trip, believing that such a memorable time will be with them for many years and give them insights that young folks can benefit by. I HIGHLY recommend Xela Aid for all. Enjoy!

I took my first trip with Xela Aid just a few months ago in June not really knowing quite what to expect. I have to say now that this was hands down one of the most impactful experiences of my life. Never really experiencing poverty like there is in the small village of San Martin Chiquito, I was in shock at how much joy we brought the locals with just our presence. My project was to help construct a basketball court at a local middle school for the kids, that also opens up to the entire community on Sundays which not only allows for the kids to play but also offers them another way staying in shape and staying out of trouble. Other projects such as the making of a computer lab and constructing homes for those in need are slowly turning this village into a better place, and you can see that simply by looking at the smiles on the faces of the locals. I hope to return in the future to see how past projects have turned out and to help out with future projects.

Having done a great deal of volunteer work both in the US and outside I'm always skeptical of organizations that operate in other countries; handing out charity so that we can feel better instead of actually helping the communities lift themselves out of their situations. I can assure you that all of my reservations were blown apart with the first 24 hours spend with the amazing people of Xela AID!

To start, how often do you go to an orientation for a trip like this at the home of the organization's founder? Within the first day or so in Guatemala it was clear that Xela AID has had an amazing impact on the community they've been working in for the last 15 years or so and I really respected that they are openly NOT a charity. Their goal is to develop self reliance and leadership WITHIN the community and build real, permanent, and lasting change. The greatest accomplishment, in my opinion, is the development of their Leaders of The Future program; a group of 15-20 teenagers who started with the program when they were toddlers and now virtually run the whole thing with the help of the locally based Director and others.

I could go on and on but if you're reading I would highly encourage you to do everything you can to support this amazing organization and everyone involved.

I first volunteered with Xela Aid in 2007, and have been back three additional times. I was a co-director on my most recent trip in July 2013. I've sponsored a Mayan child in the village since 2007, and have been pleased to see him grow into a wonderful, responsible, educated young man...though I still can't believe his schedule. Up at 6:30 every morning to climb the local mountains to collect firewood for his family (father disappeared years ago, mother ill, the only boy living at home with seven sisters), then to high school most of the day, then computer lab, then study, then field farm work, then helping out at home, then repeat that every day...and make time to work with the Xela Aid volunteers virtually every day they're in the village. And now his goal is to become an engineer.

What has inspired me about Xela Aid, in addition to my sponsored child, is its model for third world community development. If you simply give things away as many humanitarian organizations do, they are not valued and the process is not sustainable. Trying to solve one or two community development issues at a time, as most NGO's try to do, can adversely affect others. Educating children without creating local economic opportunities means the educated kids leave the village. Childhood vaccinations without family planning education can result in a population explosion that makes everything more difficult. Providing free health care with visiting foreign nationals can create a dependency, a sense of entitlement, and a lack of trust in local health care providers.

Xela Aid's model is to provide an integrated, adaptive strategy for addressing local community issues, with the intent of creating self-sustaining processes that eventually eliminate the need for Xela Aid. Some of our students are now city mayors, school principals, teachers, nurses, and business people, with more on the way. Our medical facilities are staffed with local health care professionals. Xela Aid's youth leadership program is transformational, and should be cloned in every developing community around the world. There is so much going on there that needs to be documented and shared with other organizations...and I see that as an important goal of Xela Aid going forward. This is a model that I believe will have broad applicability to developing communities everywhere.

I have been on three trips to Guatemala with Xela Aid and have enjoyed all three of them. During the trips we had the opportunity to meet the people in the small town of San Martin Chiquito and do projects together to benefit the community. On this last trip in July 2013 I spent two days at the local elementary school working with 5th grade students. It was a great experience and I would recommend these trips to anyone who wants to gain knowledge of a Latin American culture, learn the language, and generally have a great time in the process.

I learned about Xela Aid while traveling with Direct Relief International to the region of San Martin Chiquito 6 years ago. I was so impressed with the impact this organization makes on this small, impoverished community that I traveled back to the area with a group of Xela Aid volunteers the next year, and have returned with them at least once a year since then. I have recently joined the Board of Directors. This organization's focus on the overall health of the entire community is far-reaching, sustainable, and respectful of the local traditions. Xela Aid is recognized by the community of San Martin Chiquito, and leaders in the country of Guatemala, to be an organization worthy of respect. We are greeted enthusiastically every time we arrive. This is an organization that deserves time, attention, and money by all who care about impoverished communities and the continuation of local traditions.

Briefly, I am a Family Doctor who also has a Masters in Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I have gone on at least two dozen volunteer medical missions in my 20 years of practice and have seen the proverbial "give a man a fish and he eats only for a day", "spit in the ocean", "band aide care" given by most short term volunteer organizations, until I experienced a trip with Xela Aid in Guatemala. The greatest difference was Xela Aid has consistency in listening to the community they serve, then help THEM make their own changes. Xela Aid provides a consistent base of support in knowledge, trust, financial and friendships that have endured over twenty years and through a civil war. There is now a highly successful school scholarship program and a local clinic manned by a local doctor year round with a laboratory and pharmacy. It has branched into micro loans and youth entrepreneur mentoring programs creating new businesses by the next generation of "movers and shakers" in the political world of Guatemala.