Natün Guatemala (formerly Mayan Families)

La Asociación Natün es un lugar donde colaboran con las comunidades mayas, fortaleciendo y facilitando los recursos a través de los programas encontradas en la Asociación, ayudan a las personas con becas y les brindan el apoyo que necesitan.
La Asociación Natün es un lugar donde te puedes encontrar con muchas personas amables y te atenderán de la mejor manera y es muy bonito ser parte de la Familia Natün.

We watched the documentary Living On One Dollar and was impressed by the scope of work Natün does, as well as the thought that goes into the organisation and their programs. I signed up to donate and was surprised by their personalized communcations and forthrightness. They seem like the genuine good guys!

i have good experience , full of harmony and an good way of receiving me

La Asociación Natun fomenta un ambiente acogedor y respetuoso. El personal trata a todos con amabilidad, creando un espacio de aprendizaje y positivo. El objetivo principal de la asociación es ayudar a la comunidad maya a través de sus diversos programas.

I have followed Natun since they were Mayan Families in 2016. A friend who was volunteering there in 2016 introduced me to the organisation, and I know someone else who worked with them just before the pandemic. I really support and endorse their transformation to something more locally led and guided, and think that is a step in the right direction for NGOs and this work in general!

I have been a donor and also a volunteer with the former Mayan Families organization that has transitioned under new leadership to Natün Guatemala. This transformation has been productive, organized and purposeful, establishing local departments heads instead of expats. Local (Mayans) who live in the villages served by Natün know what kind of support their communities need. I love that Natün is collaborting with local, regional and national organizations to meet the needs identified by the communities. For example, the Ministry of Education has now authorized a graduate certificate for students completing the trades program. Another collaboration is with school districts who have agreed to have Natün provide tutoring support for students who are struggling. These changes are systemic and long term, not short term support like the original founders did with individual donations. Kudos to the Natün leadership and with strong values and clear direction for systemic change.

I have personally seen the outstanding growth of Natun Guatemala over the past ten years. Not only being a financial donor and board member but also visiting with my Rotary Club on a yearly basis. They provide much needed services for the indigenous population around the Lake Atitlan area that are in line with their strategic plan.

Natün Guatemala is a wonderful organization! I have had the pleasure of working with Natün for the past two years. As a student of Ohio State, I have been involved in a course that brings students to Panajachel to work on community based learning projects. These trips and projects would not be possible without Natün. They have always been incredibly welcoming and have created connection and conversations between the community and the students. I cannot speak highly enough of the people at Natün and the work that they do! They are the kindest individuals who are doing amazing work.

I worked with this group for a rather short period of time, but I can say with confidence that they do good work and benefit the communities around them. Everyone I interacted with was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable in their area of work. They are compartmentalized, but integrated, making them powerfully efficient in their responses to community needs. I felt welcomed from the first day and had only positive interactions and learning experiences with this group of people. The people this organization aims to help have a voice in the decisions made and within the organization itself.

I was inspired to support Mayan Families by former director of the organization.
They've communicated clearly how my contribution benefitted the participants in their program. Through the changes in mission and leadership, the kept me informed at every step. Their end-of-year tax documents are delivered timely.

I had the great privilege of working with Natün Guatemala as they were transitioning to new programs, new fundraising methods, and a strong, primarily indigenous staff. At the heart of their work is a deep respect for the Mayan people, for the ecosystems of Guatemala, for the history and culture of the country and particularly the Lake Atitlán region. This is a board of directors and a staff of professionals that take their work seriously and live out a sincere commitment to their mission and to the people with whom they partner. As a professional working in the community impact field, I have many opportunities to identify and support great organizations. I choose to support Natün Guatemala financially and do so with confidence and satisfaction.

Natun Guatemala is a phenomenally heartfelt, people-centric NGO. Natun recently hosted an online auction and live event from which I purchased two items. One is a handmade quilt and pillow shams. The other an amazingly beautiful Christmas ornament and handmade cutting board set. It is an honor to display these handmade items in my home. You can feel the love and attention to detail with which each item was made.

Natun Guatemala is "different" than other NGOs. It's sincerely organized and highly educated staff work with their "hearts." People are the focus - how to serve more people and serve them better. I will be returning to Guatemala in a few months to visit the Natun offices and hope to have the honor to visit with their staff to determine how my company can further support their efforts. People, places, and dedication from a staff who serve - this is what makes Natun an outstanding organization.

We have worked with Natun Guatemala (formerly Mayan Families) for many years. As a faculty member at the Ohio State University, we have been bringing students to Panajachel, Guatemala to work on community based learning projects since 2015. Natun Guatemala has been excellent in facilitating conversations between the community and the students and helped us play a supporting role in many of the community led projects.

Kansas State University has had a formal relationship with Natun for many years. As part of our Guatemala Education Abroad program, where students spend 6 weeks working with NGOs in the Lake Attilan region, Natun has been an invaluable resource! They serve as our local program managers and ensure that both students and the organizations have a very meaningful experience. Aside from their role in our student program, Natun has impressed us with the work of their organization. They focus on providing high quality, efficient services to improve the lives of the local Mayan community. They emphasize the value of knowing and working with the local community so that the changes being implemented are acknowledged, accepted, and trusted by local communities. I highly recommend working with and supporting this organization in their work!

In my 6 years of sponsoring a child and 4 visits to her family and to Natün Guatemala, I have seen the complexities of poverty and oppression directly. I am impressed with Natün Guatemala’s progressive vision and approach in addressing the needs and inequities of the indigenous community with a wholistic approach that works to enable the children and families to have the health, skills, and opportunities to succeed.

Natun Guatemala is doing incredible work for indigenous communities in the Lake Atitlan region. I was particularly impressed with their program which focuses on addressing malnourishment in children through not only providing emergency food, but also focusing on educating parents about nutrition to prevent malnourishment, where possible. They are visionaries in providing people with the skills and tools needed to transform their lives.

Our daughter and son-in-law adopted a baby girl 16 years ago from Guatemala. They introduced us to Natun when it was Mayan Families. We have supported the organization in a number of ways: donating funds, school sponsorships, being in country and taking other family, friends, Rotary members and Church friends to Guatemala. In particular we have worked with locals to build walls, housing, put in cement floors where there was only dirt, added lighting and electricity for homes and provided funds for food baskets.

Five years ago I joined the Board and have been incredibly supportive of the direction the organization has taken to support indigenous persons living in the Lake Atilian area. We now give to the general fund knowing that the funds will be directed to the programs as leadership feels appropriate.

This great organization works with indigenous people in the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala. They strive to train indigenous leaders within the communities in order to self-sustain the education, nutrition, trades, and elderly support programs. I have supported this organization for many years, traveled to Guatemala to see the work in person, and have met many on the Board and leadership teams. This is the real deal.

The Rotary Club of Upper Arlington (Ohio) has been collaborating with Mayan Families Foundation for over a decade, and it has been a wonderful partnership. During that period UA Rotary and MFF have developed and now Mayan Families helps run the following in the rural highlands of Guatemala: two preschools, a middle school, a trade school (carpentry, sewing, computer skills), and water projects in several villages, plus much, much more. Mayan Families is a trusted partner in our work in Guatemala - we wouldn't have been able to undertake any of these projects without the leadership of MFF.

Mayan families are making a difference in Panajachel region. They engage and hire indigenous Mayans to work with them and teach them to be self sufficient. We have partner with them for over 10 years.
Dave Dewey past president of Upper Arlington Rotary

I can’t say enough about the great works that Mayan Families is doing. They are working in one of the most impoverished areas of the world and work so efficiently to help the indigenous people of the area. I have all of the confidence in Erin and her team to employ our donations for the greatest needs in the most efficient manner.

Mayan Families has been instrumental in our work in remote Guatemala. Their partnership has allowed us to confidently and strategically make a difference for the indigenous groups in numerous small villages. The organization has pivoted well during the past few years in dealing with numerous challenges. The current leadership and staff are talented and committed to making the lives of so many in the region healthier and happier.

This non profit serves a very important need in helping those of great need

I've seen firsthand the impact Mayan Families makes in the lives of the people in the Mayan region of Guatemala. They are the real deal and literally are saving lives and improving lives for these people on a daily basis. I highly recommend supporting this organization if you have a heart for helping the people of Guatemala.

We have led and organized volunteer dental groups in Guatemala for many years. Over the years only one organization has stood out as the one that we will continue to work with, Mayan Families. They are honest, reliable and professional.

Steven Hewett DDS

I've supported Mayan Families for nearly 15 years. The organization's work is near and dear to my heart as the mom of a daughter who was adopted from Guatemala. Through Mayan Families, I've sponsored a students' education, provided food and nutrition support, advanced leadership development for Indigenous staff, and more. I've visited Guatemala more than 20 times and feel a deep and abiding connection to the country, the Western Highlands (where Mayan Families' work is predominantly located), and to the organization and its beneficiaries. The Staff team and Board are top notch professionals who consistently look for ways to improve and deepen relationships, partnerships, and efficiencies. Mayan Families works "with" communities rather than "in" communities, recognizing the community's strengths and expertise and the need to ensure their voice and representation lead any and all projects and initiatives. Long-term sustainability and community development are at the core of Mayan Families' mission and vision. I'm very proud to be affiliated with this great NGO.

We have worked/partnered with Mayan Families for over 10 years on constructing pre-schools, opening a trade schools and many other humanitarian projects. Having been an officer with Rotary International, and currently Rotary Zone coordinator the current Mayan Families leadership team meet Rotary's highest standards and ethical conduct. A team of Rotarains will returning November 2021 for another major project

The staff at Mayan Families does an exceptional job of helping the families in their programs, whether it's educating young people, feeding families, or training people with marketable skills. Good organization with Erin and her staff in charge.

As a current board member and donor, and former on-site volunteer, I can strongly vouch for this organization. I have family history in Guatemala so have been visiting since I was three years old, and in 2014-2015 I made the leap to move there and work with Mayan Families as their Donor Relations Manager. I got to see first-hand the incredible difference that their programs make for local communities.

Under new leadership, Mayan Families has deepened its focus on the most sustainable programs -- education, nutrition and health, and economic development -- which I believe has made the organization even more impactful than before, with a strong emphasis on community-led initiatives and long-term change. I'm proud to serve as a board member and know that I will be involved in Mayan Families for years to come!

I volunteered with Mayan Families in 2019 to help them revamp a nutrition and health program, and now serve on their Board of Directors.

The work they do is: intentional - they make every decision carefully with Indigenous Mayan leaders, staff, children and families at the forefront of the conversation; transformational - they strive to prioritize the greatest needs of the community, even when these needs are harder to meet, to truly impact the communities they work with; and sustainable - every community-led program is designed around existing knowledge and resources so that the community leads the programs equally and become self-sufficient, offering long-term impact and generational transformation.

I couldn't recommend supporting a better nonprofit that does work in the areas of nutrition and health, education, and economic development. They are changing lives by empowering Mayan families.

I was a sponsor of a university student for several years before changes were made with the leadership and board of directors at Mayan Families. I found out that my monthly donations hadn’t been applied to my student’s tuition. Furthermore, a large donation I had earmarked specially for a mandatory school project he had needed had also not reached him. Around the same time, my student was “let go” from his position with Mayan Families. He had been employed with them for quite some time and this was his primary source of income. It resulted in financial strain which naturally affected his schooling and his family. I was so disappointed I hadn’t even been notified of this change by Mayan Families or given the opportunity to provide support to him during this difficult time. I have tried to reach out to Mayan Families to get him back on track and to find out more details. I have not been successful and have given up. I understand that he went months later to try to reconnect with me and regain sponsorship and was turned away. It is a shame that my relationship with this organization has left such a sour taste in my mouth. As a former director of a non-profit, I can’t imagine NOT supporting my clients and my donors—two main pieces to a successful non-profit organization. I’ve also tried to reach out to the new director for clarification on what happened to my student and to brainstorm any possible solutions. I never received a response. My student was a lovely person from what I could tell. His life had not been easy but he made it all the way to the university level and wanted to be a productive member of his community. Changes are sometimes needed in non-profits but I never thought that this organization would sacrifice the lives of real people in the process.

I used to support students and families with Mayan Families until the U.S. board of directors took over the operations in Guatemala. In early 2018 under 'new management' they stopped paying the monthly tuition of two of my sponsored students (without my knowledge) and caused the oldest one to have to leave school and go to work as the family could not pay the tuition. I had already paid sponsorship fees for the entire year, so there was no reason for the org to not pay. When I finally found out in early 2019, I ended up having to pay the schools directly more than $300 of past due tuition for 2018 in order to get the students re-enrolled for school for 2019. The family was so embarrassed and upset about what had happened. Many other of our students also did not receive various donations sent in 2018 under the new board. NOW I sponsor all our students with FUNDAMAYA, which was the on-the-ground organization that provided all the support and assistance to the local people with love, care, and respect!

Mayan Families are located in Panajachel, Guatemala, and work to support and improve education opportunities for the local Mayan indigenous population. Family health and well being are also major areas of importance to Mayan Families. We have been proud donors of the student sponsorship program for several years, and can see first hand the joy and success of the children that are now able to attend school. Mayan Families are continuously working to improve their organizational and delivery systems to better serve clientele. We support and highly recommend the good works of Mayan Families.
Ron & Mary Lyn

The Tri Village Rotary Club along with my wife Julie and I, have supported the Mayan Families organization for a number of years. The recent restructuring led by their new leader, Erin Mooney has propelled them forward to new and better things. I have personally traveled to Guatemala five times previously, and look forward to spending a week there in November 2019 to support their efforts further.

This organization is based on a legacy of good work that should give it the foundation to move forward in a good way. That does not appear to be happening. I made numerous donations to this organization under the new leadership in 2018 after the MF board took control of all accounts. I discovered they had not been used as directed. The intended recipients had not received anything. I was there early 2019 and approached this org for an explanation That response was only to try and trash their previous partner. I've seen this disgusting video and report - both ignore significant facts that speak to their allegations (which they must know and still ignore seeming to prefer to try and make their previous partner look as bad as possible) and highlight their absolute lack of understanding of the community and culture. This organization talks about all the good they are going to do but spends an inordinate amount of time and money on questionable activities to fault their previous partner instead of getting on with it. They are destroying their own potential and harming the communities they claim to want to help.

This organization went through a serious transformation after discovering years of poor financial dealings and unethical practices. The new organization(2019) is on the right path and is filing all updated US tax forms. I suggest that a potential donor read the report from four separate external parties into the previous leadership prior to believing some of the other comments. Sadly, as a long time donor, the deceit from the founders is heart breaking. Nevertheless, the next steps outlined in the improvement action report are on target.

Please note that all positive reviews and awards date to prior to 2018.
Negative reports only after that date.
There is a reason for this: It is basically no longer the same charity. Let me explain all I found out as it is quite important.

Mayan Families USA was founded by an Australian woman living in Panajachel
It was created to allow USA donors to get a tax receipt when supporting the other foundation she registered in Guatemala: FundaMaya. All work in Guatemala was performed by FundaMaya and its indigenous staff. Donors to Mayan Families who visited the Guatemala charity and the children they sponsored were in fact visiting FundaMaya. The latter received funds from Mayan Families only for approved projects and upon presentation of receipts and documentation. Its administrative costs retained were 20%. I do not know what percentage Mayan Families USA was retaining on the money they received nor what was the salaries they paid their staff because no financial statements are on their page and the last tax return available to donors is 2015

At the end of 2017 Sharon was diagnosed with Cancer and had to return for treatment to Australia. A new board of directors at Mayan Famiies sent from the USA a director to take her place. Basically, Mayan Families, took over the running and finances of FundaMaya as of that date. This led to changes that created much discord and hurt feelings among the indigenous staff who saw its role diminished as MF wanted to run things in an entirely different manner than that established by Sharon Smart and had resulted in turning a project she started out of her own home, with her own funds, into one with a 3 million dollars a year in donations.

As an expatriate in Guatemala and the founder of another charity working in that country, I have nothing but admiration for the work done by FundaMaya. I have seen the significant positive difference it has made to the lives of indigenous communities around the lake of Atitlan. Sharon’s projects grew from school sponsorship for children, to the creation of several pre-schools, feeding programs for the elderly, building and repairing homes, vented stoves to prevent repiratory diseases, sewing and carpentry courses, a medical clinic and even animal protection. Her fundraising success was based on an intensive effort creating an ongoing relationship between donors and recipient via photos, letters and invitation to visit that always turned into a memorable experience. All donations were documented with photos of food baskets and school supplies delivered to smiling recipients.

In September of 2018, the Guatemala board of directors of FundaMaya decided that the changes imposed by Mayan Families were incompatible with their philiosophy and the fundamental role it gave its indigenous staff as well as the very respectful way it related to the indigenous communities and its leaders. Sharon Smart announced that FundaMaya would part from Mayan Families but would continue its work and receive its donations through a different partner: ACTION ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL . She wished Mayan Families good luck on public media.

Mayan Families was not as civilised about the parting. FundaMaya was falsely accused of many things. There was a lot of misinformation and unsubstantiated accusations thrown around and sent to donors and when those accusations were proven to have been erroneous, there was not the integrity to publicly admit this to the donors and clear the names of the accused. Entirely false accusations based on superficial misinformation was made against the indigenous staff claiming it had accumulated unusual wealth resulted in their safety being at risk, but even when that was explained to the Mayan Family director in Panajachel and their accusasions proven invalid, no apology resulted.

Basically, Mayan Families would like the donors to think that they are running the same charity their donations have been supporting in the past but with new and better management. That is not true. FundaMaya has moved on and is no longer their partner. Mayan Families has established on the former home of FundaMaya its own still unregistered charity called Mayan Families. As a result of the parting, Mayan Families kept some of FundaMaya’s project to justify retaining all reserve funds destined to FundaMaya they would not part with. That is why some sponsors still fall under their umbrella and are complaining on this site. MF has been banned from the 2 community pre-schools they adopted as the community leaders to not like the way they want to run things. They do not want foreigners reigning over them. They are angry for having to be associated with MF instead of FundaMaya .

FundaMaya and its Guatemalan staff and directors opened their new headquarters in December and continue to operate its same projects with a philosophy that is different from that of its former partner. They believe that the indigenous should shape the policies and practices of the organization. they believe in focusing on the individual and the families. they know the sponsored students and their families personally, Sharon and her family attend every wedding, funeral and special events of the communities they support. The indigenous community considers FundaMaya as its own indigenous project. They like dealing with the indigenous staff rather overpaid expatriate staff at Mayan Families.

The unheard excessiveness of the salary ($60,000) paid by Mayan Families to its director resulted in my complaining about it on the facebook page and comparing it to the $22,000 paid Sharon. All who complained and found, like me, such posting removed and received a message advising them they were banned from the site. Mayan Families is presently staffed by a lot of expatriates paid high salaries and working illegally in Guatemala as none has work permits, including the director.

Like the many who now know that FundaMaya was the real worker behind Mayan Families, I have chosen to continue to support them.

I still haven't received the donation tax letter I requested from Mayan Families in December. It didn't use to be a problem. I used to get them every year. However, under the new leadership getting answers to emails is a challenge.

I have been donating, sponsoring several students, and volunteering with this organization since 2008. They have been wonderful to work with up until late 2017. There was a dramatic change of the board and a major shift how things were run. I paid for one student to study in 2018 that ended up dropping out of school because the school fees were never paid. I had been sponsoring this student for 8+ years. Donations paid for were never delivered to the families they were purchased to assist. There are so many questions and concerns about how this organization is being run. I have been told that the organization has lost their partner organization that is legally authorized to operate in Guatemala, so I am not sure how they are able to operate now. Maybe that is why there are problems.

This organization has been stellar in the past but under the new board in 2017 has started to ignore cultural issues and has become somewhat condescending towards the local population.

As a long time donor, the Mayan Families volunteer staff provides exceptional support and plans every detail of my community visits, making a memorable experience every summer I visit.
Thank you!!!!

Small, grass roots organization with a big heart. Such a beautiful group of people with the right mission - helping others help themselves. Our group has served with them for five years now and will definitely go back again.

The staff at Mayan families were incredibly committed, kind and hardworking! I was continually blown away by how readily willing to help out in any way. MaryAnn families is top notch!

I have worked with Mayan Families since 2010...and it has been a great organization to work with. I have organized 15 family oriented service trips and Mayan Families is our host organization. The staff cares about those they serve and are always very helpful with our volunteers. I love returning to Guatemala and Mayan Families and sharing it with our team members! Thank you!

On my trip this year, I enjoyed every day with Mayan Families. They have great staff members that go out into the field with us and help with whatever we may need help with. They are great with our group and also with the Mayans that live at the houses we go visit. they have everything very well organized and if something isn't what it is supposed to be then they figure a way out to fix the problem. Throughout this week, the Mayan Families organization has been so beneficial and so nice that it makes me want to come down and work with them in the future!!

Mayan Families is a great organization that truly meets the needs of all the indigenous people of the area around Lake Atilan. I got to experience working with preschoolers, sponsored students, elderly feeding programs, installation of ONIL stove, handing out chickens and food baskets, and water filters to all age groups. The staff of Mayan Families welcomes you into their organization with open arms and smiles. Everyone should experience this great organization.

This charity Mayan Families is so unique. They have a very diverse staff and all of the people that I came into contact with were excited and motivated to help! The excitement there is contagious! Very upbeat! I know how hard and difficult this work can be. Always dealing with people from all over the place, showing them the foundation and the work they do. These people really do it, they are so lovely! I also appreciate their communications with me and their monitoring of their programs. They do an admirable job is evaluating what works and what does not. I am so impressed with Mayan Families!

Wow! All I can is I was a traveler before hand. I had done a few trips to work with Charities and I just want to say that this trip with Mayan Families was amazing and it changed my life forever! I know that sounds silly, but it is true! I am so happy that I did this trip with Mayan Families! Very well organized! The Volunteer Coordinators were great! We had very little down time which is what I like! We got to deal with so many families and visit different Mayan Families projects! Fantastic! I am so impressed! Very well run organization! Truly impressive!
Mayan Families is now my focus! I want to do more and this is the NGO that has earned my time and talents!

I have watched this charity grow and grow! It is truly amazing! They have a dedicated team that really perseveres with a challenging clientele. I am always impressed by the efforts of everyone at Mayan Families to do their best! Excellent attitude! Very welcoming!

We have been bringing groups to volunteer with Mayan Families since 2011 so we love working with them. I have visited several NGO's in Guatemala which all do wonderful work but I have found Mayan Families to be one of the best!

I was blown away by the number of important programs this NGO is involved in. Preschools, clean water, meals for kids, meals for the elderly, medicines and wellness programs, occupational training, microloans, etc., etc. They impact so many people in their area, it is truly amazing and inspiring.

Last week was my first visit to Mayan Families in Pana. It was back to school week and the families were coming into pick up back to school supplies. The organization was amazing and the impact that sponsors make was clearly demonstrated.
The group I was with also had the opportunity to visit the pre-school in San Antonio, to deliver Pilas to 3 families and food baskets, toys and clothes to many more. The smiles, hugs and appreciation was overflowing from the recipients. Being able to not only sponsor a child but to have the opportunity to ask about a families needs and health and interact with the children provides so much joy.
We also had the opportunity to serve a meal and play bingo with the Elderly lunch program. The appreciation and hugs were overflowing.

I have worked with Mayan Families for over 8 years. They are outstanding in ministry, in trasnparency, and integrity. I would recommend them without question and look forward to future opportunities to be in ministry with them.

The Mayan Families organization is an amazing non profit that is helping to better the lives of the indigenous people who live in the Lake Atitlan area. I recently went on a mission trip with a group from the Community Church of Poway. We chose to install stoves, purchase and deliver beds and water filtration systems, work in the preschool at San Jorge, and feed lunch to seniors also in San Jorge. We always felt safe as we had guides, drivers, and interpreters who were with us. The accommodation and food were great. Many in our group were so touched that we are supporting students and the elderly through the Mayan Families scholarship program. We are starting to plan our 2017 mission trip. The humble, kind, Mayan people are so deserving of this help.

Our group of 12 participated in July 2016 with Mayan Families and ready to go back again. The projects kept us involved with the Mayan people and educated us on their needs. I believe that Mayan Families offers sustainable change with programs that they are not only involved in but help run the programs. A transformational change came about within us. It was a maiden voyage that bears repeating and can only encourage others to get involved. If you can't go see for yourself, please take our experience as proof that 1) they need your help, 2) all funds go for a multiple of needs that would not be met unless we were helping and 3) the programs Mayan Families implement are making a difference. Also....you can support with your pocket book - sponsor a child's education, an elder's support for food (there is no govt. programs), towards emergency medical care, toward trade schools, and a multitude of other programs. You won't regret getting involved with Mayan Families.

I traveled to Guatemala for the first time with a company called Serengetee. They are in a close partnership with Mayan Families, and I cannot begin to describe how amazing my experience was. It was so much more inspiring than I could have ever imagined and every life touched will forever have a place in my heart. Mayan Families is constantly looking to improve the lives of everyone in contact with them. With that, the volunteers gain a new sense of looking at the world.

I only worked with the Mayan Families for a brief amount of time, but in that time I was able to see the good that they did for the community. The amount of support they give with such little funding and the passionate employees they have allow for them to change lives. The experience itself was very enlightening and allowed to change the lives of some fellow humans in need.

I've worked with Mayan Families for 10 years. They are an incredible program! I recently got to visit the headquarters for two days. We toured two of the preschools. We also spend a day at the nutrition center in San Jorge, serving lunch to those in their Elder care program. It is truly incredible work they are doing in the area in and around Panajachel. I especially love that 90% of their staff are local indigenous members of the community they serve. They are truly living their mission!

I just returned from my second trip to Guatemala to volunteer with Mayan Families. I continue to be amazed at the great work they are all so committed to in a very impoverished area of the world. Education is a big part of what they do while helping to feed, shelter and heal the people of Guatemala. Everyone I have met is so committed to the people. I have met the student I sponsor through Mayan Families and I can truly see the difference MF has made in so many lives. I will continue to sponsor and volunteer for MF as they are making a difference in the world!

I've had the pleasure of working with this excellent organization since it's inception. Often donors wonder about the true impact of their contribution. Not so with Miracles in Action where 100 percent of your donation goes directly to the cause. Overhead expenses are covered through special donations and handicraft sales. This is a rare, but highly effective business model. This charity creates substantive change in the communities it serves and I've been fortunate to see that firsthand. In an area faced with crushing poverty and limited opportunities, Miracles in Action is truly a blessing.

Mayan Families is an incredible organization led by three hard working, dedicated individuals - Dwight, Sharon and Patti. We have been volunteering with them for over 10 years and continue to be impressed with how committed the staff are to the Mayan people. We trust the money we donate is used in the most effective manner and do not hesitate in the least to promote them. Bob & Pam

Amazing charity. I spend 4 days with them and it was a spiritually uplifting experience. you can see immediately how your donations big and small are helping them accomplish their goals. I am looking forward to spending more time with them in Panajachel.

I went to go volunteer and saw the amazing differences they make in the community. It was truly an amazing experience to work with them and will continue to.

This is an amazing nonprofit organization with hardworking, dedicated staff. As a trusted, reputable organization in Guatemala, Mayan Families makes visible, long-term impacts on impoverished communities. They work hard to curb extreme poverty through education primarily, but also nutritional and medical assistance, as well as community development and shelter programs.They have changed hundreds - if not thousands - of lives over the last few years and will likely continue to have an incredible impact in Guatemala.

My family and friends went down mid January to deliver shoes to those in Mayan families critical care group. The support we received from Mayan Families was heartwarming. Also, the staff was incredible helpful and we had an amazing time!

I've been working with Mayan Families since 2008. Their consistent service and attention of goal setting, of educating, and of helping families succeed is remarkable. Since I go there and see first hand what is being accomplished through excellent management, targeted goals, and extremely hard working employees, I can say without reservation, Mayan Families is one of the best places to make a difference in this world.

This is a simply wonderful organisation. We have visited many times and remain deeply impressed at the professionalism and compassion we see each trip. The programs save and change lives for the better in a sustainable way. No praise properly captures our opinion of Mayan Families, the staff and the volunteers.

My church has partnered with Mayan Families for several years. For the past two years, I have been on medical mission trips with the church and coordinated through Mayan Families. They are an awesome organization focused on healing, educating, feeding and housing the Mayan people in Guatemala. I am so impressed with the caliber of people in the Mayan Family organization and the life changing work that they do.

I have worked with this organization for four years bringing primary health care to remote villages around Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. As in-country coordinators, they bring their cultural expertise in an effective manner to help my organization, Hands of Healing, bring medical, dental and vision services to the Mayan peoples who don't have access to basic health care due to extreme poverty.
Mayan Families prepares the communities for our arrival, coordinates with local residents to provide translators and ensure that we have an adequate venue to set up our temporary clinics.
We are truly indebted to Mayan Families for all of the work they do to enable us to serve the most deserving in Guatemala

We travel with a group mainly out of Florida called Hands of Healing, Inc. We are a interfaith medical mission team that has been on mission in Guatemala since 2005. We have used other organizations along the way and then for the past several years have gone exclusively with Mayan Families Organization. They are delightful to work with in the process of organizing our next trip, providing transportation and sometimes arranging hotels, etc. We always have a good turnout at our on site locations because the Mayan Family Organization is really trusted throughout the region (Panajachel) where we work.

Amazing charity. just visited them. They're making a huge change one child at a time! Please give any time, donations, or prayers for this wonderful organization!

Mayan Families is quite impressive!!! For several years my mission team, Hands of Healing Guatemala, has relied on Mayan Families to help select the most needy communities to serve, transport all 25 of us, provide chairs and tables for use during our portable clinics, provide us lunch, and provide and arrange Spanish and Mayan translators. Each member of their team is knowledgeable about the communities we serve and they put our safety and our needs as top priority. When we are not in clinic, they offer opportunities to sponsor children and help with their education and needs. They arrange meetings with our sponsored children and are open to taking us places as time allows. We find everyone associated with Mayan Families dedicated, loyal, creative and most of all, compassionate to our Mayan brothers and sisters!! We are honored to have this partnership with them!!

I spent an amazing week with Mayan Families seeing first hand the wonderful work they are doing in Guatemala. The educational, economic, health, and home programs they operate not only sustain, but are making a life changing and in many instances life saving difference in the lives of the Guatemalan people. Wonderful organization with the most amazing people involved!

I spent several days traveling with the team from Mayan Families visiting preschools and homes in the towns around Panajachel. The trip was fantastic as I personally witnessed the work they do to bring a better way of life to the less fortunate in the area. I saw happy and healthy children due to the multivitamins and nourishment they received due to the support of Mayan Families. I also visited homes that had clean drinking water due to the supplied water filters and stoves to cook on that were also supplied by Mayan Families. Truly a very emotional experience and one that I will never forget.

We visited Mayan Families last week to view their preschools and nutrition program. We were highly impressed by the caliber of their work and their obvious dedication to their community. The staff is professional, kind, and talented. They have taken on a monumental task by choosing to take a holistic approach to building stronger communities, and they handle every challenge with a high level of skill and compassion.

The children and mothers we visited in the communities around the lake were confident, friendly, and obviously proud of their association with Mayan Families. To me, this is the strongest indicator of the success Mayan Families has found in its work.

We are proud to partner with Mayan Families, and look forward to continuing our relationship!

The Shuzz Foundation Team and I traveled to Guatemala from south FL for a 4 day trip to give new shoes to children in need. Partnering with Mayan Families was the BEST choice I could have made. We loved our guides Jackie and Hannah - they were very welcoming and helpful. The restaurant choices they chose were amazing! Sharon and Dwight, the founders of Mayan Families, took our team in like we were one of their own, showed us around their facility, gave us a real taste of Guatemalan culture. Sharon Smart has a heart of gold and I am lucky to have met her. The SHUZZ Foundation will definitely come back to Guatemala and work with Mayan Families again.

Mayan Families is a compassionate, well-organized, and hard-working organization. I recently had the opportunity to bring 14 college students to Panajachel to work with Mayan Families on Humanitarian Engineering initiatives and it was an exceptional experience for me and my students. Mayan Families' communication was wonderful and consistent, the accommodations and projects were great, and the educational and service opportunities where beneficial for all that were involved. We can't wait to work with Mayan Families again next year.

Mayan Families is great organization, doing great work for the Mayan families in the region of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. They helped make our project very effective. All the staff is highly professional, and at the same time friendly and compassionate. I hope to work with them again! Prof. Kevin Passino, Ohio State University

Mayan Famalies us an awesome organization that allows individuals to live an enriched life by offering medication, education and emotional support to the Mayan people . Professionals and volunteers can go to donate their time to lessen the suffering of others. It is highly recommended.

After watching the documentary Living On One, I decided to sponsor a student through Mayan Families. As a sponsor, I provide funds for many of her school supplies and needs as a one time yearly payment, but I think it can be done in installments, too. As a sponsor you can choose to do a full or half sponsorship of a child. I am kept up to date with photographs of my student receiving her school supplies, and with her report card. Of course it is not required, but you may choose to send donations specifically for other things the child or their family needs. Food, a water filter, a mattress, a birthday gift. You are given access to a written profile of the child and their family situation, which is updated as things change. Any time I send a donation I am shown photographs of my student and her family receiving the items, and hand written thank you letters that my sponsored child holds up proudly for the camera. These are eventually mailed to me. You can remain anonymous to the people you sponsor, or you can ask for and receive greater detail about their lives, and be available to help if they have a family emergency. It's entirely up to you.

As well as individual student sponsorships, you can donate toward specific families, elderly folks, children in crisis, people with medical needs, the animal rescue program, pre-school, vocational training, many many more programs! Or just give funds where needed most.

I appreciate the ability to verify that my sponsored child is indeed receiving the donations I am sending. Many individuals and groups visit in person and they are welcomed.

Mayan Families has given me the opportunity to make a real difference in a child's life.
I hope to donate some time as a volunteer soon, doing computer work over the internet.

AMAZING!!!!!
I volunteered with Mayan families for 5 weeks by myself. They hooked me up with a great homestay and helped me get to know the town. They were there for me since I got off the bus from Guatemala City. Mayan Families is made up of some great workers, expats from around the world and locals from around Guatemala. Everyone was nice and friendly. They seem to care about their work. And they are doing some pretty great work. I volunteered with the medical center translating and some set up work, and also in the carpentry trade school. By what I've seen, Mayan Families puts good use to their donations. I hihgly recommend them, and will be back as soon as I can. thank you mayan families!

A non-profit organization which helps the local families of Guatemala in many different aspects, including free school to kids, food supply to poor family and elderly, animal shelter, programs to help women making incomes, etc. I didn't know what it was like in Guatemala at all when I was just randomly doing research online for volunteering opportunities. I'm glad I did it. This organization is definitely making the positive impacts to the local families. I'm happy that I was part of them to make my own contributions. The trip shifted my perspective towards life.

Thank you to Mayan Families for an action-packed visit with multiple opportunities to see the people of the area, to better understand their needs, to learn about and install stoves and water filters, to meet the students and teachers in the pre-schools, and to learn more about the multitude of activities and services Mayan Families provides every day. Dwight, Sharon and the staff are such generous hosts with amazing hearts for service to others.

Caring Group. They helped our team provide Dental and Medical care

I have made four annual trips to Panajachel and worked with Mayan Families each year. I also sponsor both school kids and one Anciana or elderly woman. I am extremely impressed with the growth that I have seen from year to year in the infrastructure of the organization as well as the services they offer to the people (and animals) of Guatemala. Where I really see the final effect is in the families that I sponsor. The Mom's are learning Spanish and seeing the importance in having their kids educated. I LOVE the work that Mayan Families is doing to support these people. Thanks so much Sharon and Dwight!! Great job.

For the second year in a row I had an incredible experience working with Mayan Families. Their programs for the Mayan people are very wide ranging and assist all ages of Mayans. Last year I took the opportunity to sponsor a little girl in Tierra Linda. This year I was blessed with the support of my Rotary club and Mayan Families to actually work on her house to improve her living conditions. The Mayans are so appreciative of anything we can do for them which makes the effort all that more rewarding. The smiles and hugs we receive from them are priceless. I will continue to help them for as long as I am able and look forward to returning in the near future.

Mayan Families is an amazing nonprofit organization that helps the poor and in need natives in Guatemala. My time shared with them was one to remember. It's one thing to know that people around the world and poor and struggling with hunger, but it is a whole other story to actually witness it in person. During my volunteer work I had the opportunity to work with preschool children and also build stoves for the most needy in the mountains of Guatemala. It was the most rewarding feeling to see smiles on children and families faces every time I was near. They are so appreciative and love everything that you do for them. Building stoves was very touching and heartfelt. Some families even had tears in their eyes because a stove was something they never owned before. Guatemala was truly an amazing experience and I can’t wait to go back!

I volunteered with Mayan families through my nursing school. It was seriously one of the most rewarding and life changing opportunities I have experienced. All of the employees are well informed of the organizations mission and of the history of the villages. This nonprofit helps so many people in the community ranging from preschooler education to elderly care and meal preparation. I could not have asked for a better organization for my school to have partnered with for our trip. I really hope to have further involvement and contact with Mayan families.

I volunteered with Mayan Families as part of a healthcare focused college volunteer trip. We were given an orientation session where we learned about the organization and their focus areas. We were then able to volunteer our time with the local indigenous populations. Mayan Families organized our volunteer activities each day as well as some of our travel logistics. They did a fantastic job providing us with meaningful opportunities to connect with and help the local people. The professionalism, dedication, and passion of their staff is unmatched. Thank you Mayan Families!

I took a group of 17 high school students on a service trip with Mayan Families to install 10 Onil stoves and we had a most amazing time being hosted by the wonderfully attentive and thoughtful folks of Mayan Families! The staff is energized, lovely, and so thoughtful in organizing every facet of our trip and meeds. We felt like members of their family and became fast friends! We love their vision of bringing a comprehensive multi-plan to educate, care for, and empower the indigenous peoples of the Central Highlands. Our group and individuals caught the joy and vision of sponsoring young students, purchasing water filtration kits, and becoming partners with Sharon and Dwight and their phenomenal staff to deepen and expand our participation in other outreaches such as the family Christmas baskets and many other interesting and life changing endeavors! Thank you Mayan Families!!!

Mayan families is a well established and fast growing non-profit. But don't let this fool you, they have the reputation of a great organization for a reason. Not only do they continue to help so many people in need but also, the people that work for Mayan Families really make it what it is. Mayan Families promotes a group help mentality; continually working and thinking together towards the goal of helping those in need. This, in turn, makes for a very awesome and in-depth volunteering experience. An experience consisting of more than being just a tourist, skimming the surface of a town, and not knowing how to help. I highly recommend Mayan Families to anyone looking for a volunteering opportunity in Guatemala.

I sponsor 9 children with Mayan Families and have volunteered with them many times. The staff is great and the organization does so much to help the indigenous families around lake Atitlan. They have made a difference in so many peoples lives.

While working with Mayan Families this past month, I could not tell you properly how impressed I was with both the staff, and their ability to make things work for the benefit of these Mayan Families. They are truly a blessing. I worked in the classroom while the students were taken individually to test their Spanish skills. Working with them in the classroom was great, but doing volunteer database work made it come full circle. I was able to see and input the results from the different schools, and they floored me. I was overall impressed with the staff and the students.

We currently are sponsoring two students and helping their families through Mayan Families. We just came back from a 5 week trip to Guatemala where we also were able to do some volunteering with Mayan Families. It is an amazing organization helping many families and kids. Their many preschools in the areas around Lake Atitlan provide not only basic education, especially Spanish study. to ready the children for primary school but also a daily nutritional breakfast, followed by teeth brushing (we led a class this time at a preschool in the highlands and donated toothbrushes for 50+ children!) We visited our 2 sponsored families, seeing the living conditions of extreme poverty is an eye opener and helps us know that our relatively modest donations for a roof, stove, table, chairs, beds, are much needed and valued. This is an organization we are so happy to be involved with. They are also great in maintaining communication with us about the organization and our sponsored families. Thank you, Mayan Families! Lynn and Greg

What a blessing working with Mayan Families! My husband and I just returned from our volunteer mission trip Nov 2014. During our trip we encountered so many kind and compassionate people.
Mayan Families is truly changing the lives of the children and families of Panajachel. We were welcomed with open arms and warm hearts. We cannot wait for our next opportunity to volunteer with Mayan Families.

I was a volunteer physician with a group from the Anona Church in the Tampa area. We volunteered our time and efforts to the Mayan People in five different areas. I personally have never seen such abject poverty. I have also never seen a more caring group with whom to work.
The Mayans are the indigenous people of Guatemala who like the American Indian have had there land taken away by the more powerful. Unfortunately, for the Mayans there is no safety net and they live malnourished, sick, uneducated and in such crowded and unhygienic conditions that it begs the imagination. Hands of Healing recognizes that the most sustainable thing they can do is education, specifically teach the Spanish language, water purification, provide efficient wood burning stoves, and do their best to provide some basic medical care. They are accomplishing this every day.
Personally, I saw diseases of children for which I could do nothing and for which there are no alternatives except HOH and they as an organization are overwhelmed with specific medical problems while at the same time, they realize that resources can be better spent on public health or education. Tough choices. I feel confident that HOH spends its monies prudently and efficiently in its great attempt to "treat thy neighbor as you would your self"

Gerry Kilpatrick MD.

We came to volunteer with Mayan Families as part of a Mission Trip. We installed stoves, worked in the pre-schools, organized a soccer game, and worked with elder care.
We were SO impressed with Mayan Families and everything they organized for us. Not only was it amazing to work so closely with the families and see a real impact we were having on their lives, but the Mayan Families staff was so friendly and helpful, it was wonderful getting to know them as well. They were very organized, planned everything for us, and we even had beautiful accommodations that they set up for us at a nice hotel, as well as got to go out for lots of great dinners with the Mayan Families staff.
My favorite parts were seeing our youth group having fun with the kids and youth from the area, playing soccer, catch, and just hanging out. The area is so beautiful, the people are real artisans and so kind, and Mayan Families was the best organization we have been on a mission trip with. I recommend them so highly!

I worked as an intern at Mayan Families for two months this summer and had the most rewarding and valuable experience of my life so far. I had visited Guatemala with a university group for one week in May and met with several nonprofit organizations across the country to find potential partners. Mayan Families stood out as well-organized and fast-growing. Throughout my entire internship there the staff was friendly and helpful. The organization runs numerous programs that very visibly help families living in poverty. Every native Guatemalan that I met appreciated the work that Mayan Families does in the region. They work very reliably and transparently when distributing donations. They truly do educate, feed, shelter, and heal.

We just returned after a 10 days working with Mayan Families. I, along with my daughter and nephew, have been volunteering with this great non-profit for the past 4 years. The focus of our volunteering has been to raise money for the purpose of installing stoves for indigenous families living around Lake Atitlan. The beauty of this particular program, and most of the programs run by Mayan Families, is the direct impact and immediate impact they have on the recipients. We love the fact that we see where the money we raised is going and that we literally have a hand in helping change the lives of people who truly need the help.

We continue to be impressed with Mayan Families' dedication to their motto to "Educate, Feed, Shelter, Feed" these wonderful people around Lake Atitlan.

I just got back from Guatemala after my third summer working with Mayan Families. During the year, I raise money from my community, and then go install fuel efficient, concrete stoves around Lake Atitlan. The stoves properly ventilate the smoke out of the home, avoiding the many health risks that come with an open fire. I have done numerous community service projects here in New York and in Tanzania. I can honestly say that Mayan Families is the most productive, organized nonprofit that I have ever worked for. What makes this particular organization unique, is that one really has a sense of exactly where his or her money is going. You raise the money to buy stoves, you go install the stoves. It is beautifully simple. I also can't say enough about the staff at Mayan Families. They have always been extremely kind, productive and helpful. I hope to have many more visits to Mayan Families in order to help the people of Lake Atitlan.

Mayan Families operates their charity in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala. They work with Mayan people to improve the lives of the desperately poor. The projects include providing water filtration systems, building stoves that pipe smoke out of the home, providing children and elderly one hot meal a day, and operating preschools.

My experience with Mayan Families involved helping to build a stove for a family that was building wood fires on the floor of their home. This family had been abandoned by the father and the mother struggled to feed and cloth herself and her four children. The stove we built is fuel-efficient for wood burning and will improve the health of the family by piping the smoke out of the building, thus reducing eye and lung inflammation and illness.

Growing up in the U.S., this is a level of poverty I have never witnessed before. The work that Mayan Families does for the native people of Guatemala is critical and fundamental to improving the health and basic well-being of the Mayan people.

I spent several days volunteering with Mayan Families in July, 2014. Mayan Families is the perfect partner for visiting groups who want to make a difference in the lives of the people in the highlands of Guatemala. They know the greatest needs among families, and coordinate our projects. We built highly efficient cooking stoves, passed out shoes to many children, and visited our families we sponsor. They are also instrumental in providing medical and nutritional support to many impoverished families. I can't say enough good things about Mayan Families. They have a heart for these wonderful residents of Guatemala, and the things they have accomplished in 6-7 years is amazing.

I coordinated a trip for a group of our donors in February 2014. Everyone at Mayan Families was extremely helpful throughout the planning process and while our visit was taking place. Our group was so impressed by the lengths the Mayan Families team members were willing to go to accommodate our group's needs. Thank you to Sharon, Dwight, Elizabeth, Hannah, Sergio, and everyone else at Mayan Families for making this such a positive experience!

This is our third trip to Guatemala, and enjoyed working through Mayan Families, and seeing the greT work they do.

What a wonderful opportunity to help God's people. It is good to know that what is given for the Mayan families, goes to the people who need help. All the Mayan voluntees seem to love their roles and care about the Mayan people. They were so willing to do anything that we asked. It might be good to see the upper level school. We did spend a lot of time waiting for directions. Connie did a great job planning things for us to see. Sharon opening her home for us was wonderful. Thank you Hananna for all your help. It was a great experience.

I bring groups twice a yr. and am always so pleased with the work Mayan Families does here. I couldn't arrange these trips without all their help. My groups have sponsored over 70 students through Mayan Families to enable them to get an education along with helping the families with much needed food and clothing. We'll be back in Nov.

I am a dental hygiene student and had the opportunity to work with the Mayan Families on a mission trip through school. As I worked with the Mayan families I was extremely surprised with how many great things the Mayan families did for the people of Guatemala. They did a great job organizing our activities while we worked with the Guatemalans. They truly have a love for what they do and they are very compassionate about their work.

I am a dental hygiene student and a small group of dental hygiene and nursing students went to Guatemala and worked for a few days with the Mayan Families. I really enjoyed working with them and it was a great experience. This organization is doing amazing work for the Guatemala people. I was amazed at how organized they were and how much of a difference they are making for these families. I would love to work with them again!

I had the opportunity to bring 10 university students along with another professor to volunteer our health care services. It was truly a life altering experience. The experience we had with Mayan families far exceeded my expectations. It also gave us an opportunity to fact find and see what else we could do for Mayan families as we continue our relationship and plan on returning.

I am nursing student that had the privilege to work with Mayan Families. I am absolutely impressed at how much of an impact Mayan Families has already made amongst the population. The staff is full of such great and caring people -- each person made me feel welcome and I enjoyed working with each one of them. After working Mayan Families and seeing what a positive impact they've created for these families, public health nursing and working with indigenous populations has now become an interest as a possible career path.

The week of Jan. 11-19 I led a group of nursing students in a Service Learning Experience in Guatemala. The week my group of nursing and speech pathology students spent working in Panajachel with Mayan Families was life changing for us. Mayan Families was one of the 10 best experiences of my life and having the support of directors, Sharon and Dwight and all the dedicated, committed staff made our ability to work with the people of Panajachel and surrounding communities a daily privilege. The authentic caring and respect for the people of Guatemala by all the people associated with Mayan Families was humbling for us. My students had an incredible life altering experience that will impact them for years to come and all of that because of the selfless work that is done by every single person at Mayan Families. Our university plans on having a continued relationship with Mayan Families and we know that we are the lucky ones!!

I work in international education and helped coordinate a volunteer program through Mayan Families for our College of Nursing and Public Health. It is a regular function of my job to help coordinate such linkages and, at times, we've been disappointed in the agencies we've targeted. I honestly could not be more thrilled at what we found at Mayan Families... caring people who've grown their non-profit to effectively feed and service over 2500 community members.

I am so moved by what they do and so happy to be at, what I hope, is the start of a long relationship between our university and their programs.

As the President of Tri-Village Rotary in Columbus, Ohio (USA) I want to be accountable to our members, and our community donors, to make sure that our charitable donations are used in the best way possible. Mayan Families continues to amaze me with their staff and how every penny is maximized. I had the opportunity to visit Mayan Families in March of 2013 and again in November of 2013 and each time I visit I am more reassured that our money is going to the best possible group.

I visited the Mayan Families Foundation in Panajachel, Guatemala in November 2013 and was moved by the incredible need for the services provided by the organization, as well as the dedication of the staff and volunteers to fill that need. This is an organization that, I feel, makes the best use of donor's contributions in making a lasting impact on the lives of the children and adults it helps.

We visited Mayan Families this summer as part of our second trip to Guatemala. We have supported two students through Mayan Families for several years, and even before our visit, we viewed it as a wonderful organization which brings aid directly to impoverished families and which very directly helps improve their lives and the futures of their children. We were able to visit both the students we support, and we saw how connected Mayan Families is to the families they help and how aware they are of the needs of each one.
We also were privileged to volunteer in some of the pre-schools that Mayan Families operates around Lake Atitlan. It was a tremendous experience. The schools are exceptionally well run and provide great benefits to the poor children who attend them by both teaching them a preschool curriculum (including introducing them to Spanish, a second language for many of the children) and by feeding them nutritious meals. In addition, we brought some medical supplies with us, and we saw the invaluable medical services that Mayan Families provides at its main site. Many, many Guatemalan families lack any access to health care due to their poverty and Mayan Families works tirelessly to help them.
Mayan Families is a great, great organization, and we will continue to support them because we know how directly and effectively they benefit poor families in Guatemala.

Mike and Janet, Oakland, CA

Our last mission as Hands of Healing from Florida was Oct 18-26/13. We were amazed at all the Mayan Families do to help the Guatemalan people. They also made our mission easier as they made sure that our team was used in the best villages that needed the most care. It really did not matter what we needed they were there for us and the village. Many thanks to Amy and Vicki who really extended themselves to make our experience the best. I have travelled with this organization for more that 10 missions and will do so again. Nancy D

Visiting Mayan Families in Guatemala was my first "real" experience outside of the United States, and as an 18 year old high school student the usual culture shock and humbling was immense. And though I was shocked by the poverty, malnutrition, and lack of resources, I came to realize that both the Mayan Families organization and the people of Guatemala were some of the kindest and most welcoming people I've ever encountered. During my entire visit I was guided and taught hands on by the Volunteers of the organization, and had the chance to see first hand how the organization is able to help the much needed people. It was an extremely rewarding experience and believe fully that this chance I had has taught me more than years in general schooling.

Wonderful, rewarding experience Looking forward to going again next year. JMG

Going to Panajachel with Hands of Healing Guatemala to work with Mayan Families was the best experience I have had since I was a youth doing local missions with my church. I can't wait to return next year.

I participate with the Group Global Hands of Healing in conjunction with Mayan Families in Panahachel, Guatemala. It was a wonderful experience. I was so impressed with both organizations and hope to particplate again. Sharon and Dwight at Mayan families do so much to help the families of that area. I am amazed at their commitment and their organization of their headquarters. I encourage everyone to look into the work they do. It is grassroots and hands on all the way that includes many young volunteers and workers. The dedication that I saw toward those they help was really inspiring. Thank you so much for the time I spent and I hope to return. it was a life changing experience.

I spent 3 weeks Volunteering at Mayan Families with my partner Ben. We had such a fulfilling experience. It was wonderful working as a part of such a large team where the work is very grass roots and raw. I am a REgistered Midwife in Australia and felt my skills were utilised during my time with Mayan Families. We have treasured memories and hope to one day return and do some further work with this organisation!

I feel privileged to have volunteered with Mayan families. It's such a unique organisation as it focuses on empowering the local Guatemalan people to make changes within their community. I can't wait to return next year to see how their programs have developed.

I spent a month volunteering with Mayan families in Panajachel this summer. Mayan families gave me the incredible opportunity to work with Dr. Louis De Peña in the clinic at the Mayan families compound.
For a pre-med student like me this was a great learning experience. The staff at Mayan families all tried to ensure that I had the best experience possible and were very accommodating and friendly.
All of Panajachel knows about Mayan families, and that is for a good reason. Mayan families has helped improve several important resources in the area: health care, education, job opportunities, etc. They make a difference in the lives of many people in and around Panajachel.

Mayan Families has the most holistic and comprehensive program that I have experienced in Guatemala! Their programs are benefitting thousands in need, yet they somehow manage to personalize the attention given to each and every family they serve. My wife and I are so pleased to sponsor a child through Mayan Families, we get regular updates on her, and we have absolute confidence that our contributions are directly benefitting our child and her family. One of the most genuine organizations I have ever encountered and worked with in service to God's people.

My daughter and I volunteered with Mayan Families in the summer of 2013. Day after day we'd find our way to our carefully created service positions amidst many dozens of other volunteers and staff who all interacted in a delicately choreographed yet powerful improvisational dance. I absolutely loved the sense of well organized community and genuine heart-centered warmth. Amidst the sometimes accelerated chaos and dire need of the beloved population of Mayan families, the organization, Mayan Families, generated practical services for people of all ages in soulful ways that were sourced by community members. The services I saw rendered were mostly facilitated by local people, who worked in the kitchen, the pre-schools, the many offices and the grounds. Some people, like myself (a psychotherapist), came in from the exterior to help with medical and other professional needs.

Mayan Families gives volunteers the opportunity to experience first hand the diversity of the Lake Atitlan region, while working with an organization that strives to alleviate poverty, hunger, and elevate the quality of lives and animals together. It's a unique experience because while the organization is relatively small, its reach is wide and gives volunteers the opportunity to truly make an impact.

I spent a month with Mayan Families and each person I encountered was helpful and passionate about the work of the organization. Everyone is extremely generous and volunteering is an especially valuable opportunity for those interested in working or living abroad.

The Mayan Families Foundation and Mayan clients have welcomed me twice, and throughout both
experiences I have learned so much more than I hoped to give. That said, Mayan Families was so attentive to me and all other volunteers during the two months I visited(summer '13). We were given opportunities to contribute our skills to work with MF clients under the guidance of MF staff. I worked with a midwife who was volunteering for several weeks. MF's professional staff provided support by organizing trips to each of the preschools it has founded for pregnancy health workshops with the mothers of the preschool children. The organization has developed such trust with clients, which was apparent in how safe the women felt to discuss intimate women's health issues. The genuine gratitude and kindness women expressed after pregnancy health workshops well surpassed what I've seen from MF's clients, which is so surprising because these are women who are already so grateful and kind. The last time I was with MF's, I worked in their many preschools. For the children, these preschools are safe havens for learning and play. I often consider how their early experience in MF's Preschool and Nutritional Centers will give them an incredible head-start to pursue their happiness as they get older. For the mother's of the children, the extra time they have while their kids are in childcare is much needed, well-deserved and can go to the many duties they have as mothers. I also had the privilege to work with Dr. de Pena in the MF’s clinic. Dr. de Pena's work is indispensable, with an impact that goes largely unrecognized and is far-reaching. I once remarked that he "could do it all," and I meant that. MF’s is fortunate to have someone serving their clients in their many health needs. He is also an asset as an educator willing to share his experience. His down-to-earth manner makes him relatable and popular among clients. MF's clients are truly in good hands while in Dr. de Pena's clinic.
To conclude, MF’s is committed to supporting volunteers and does it ALL for their clients, with passion you’d have to travel the whole world over to find. The founders are the most selfless people I have ever met. This organization transforms the lives of all fortunate to encounter Mayan Families. Thank you!

As founder of a humanitarian charity in the travel industry, I have seen a lot of NGO's in many different countries. Mayan Families has the most substantive programs and committed personnel I have ever seen. Not only is the location drop dead gorgeous on the banks of Lake Atitlan, the projects are varied to any traveler's interest, sponsorship's for "ancianos", children or schools, water programs, stoves, vocational training, micro-loans and even animal programs. What really impressed me was that the staff is so committed and structures visits so each participant can see the impact of their support, and meet the individuals involved. This is exactly what we are looking for with Airline Ambassadors and why we plan to work with Mayan Families to coordinate our Guatemala programs. I would recommend Mayan Families to anyone who wants to "Travel and Make a Difference"

We were in country from July 1 thru 13th and worked with Mayan Families all of the areas that this organization gives the families of Guatemala hope for a better life. We look forward to working with them in the future.

I originally donated to help a baby see a doctor. After reading some of the blogs, I then sponsored a child to attend school. Learning more about his family and the struggle they endure on a daily basis, I then provided food for the family on a monthly basis. I am confident the services they provide to the young and old make a significant difference in the lives of many. I highly recommend Mayan Families to anyone wishing to donate to a charity. Your donation will go to work immediately.

After treating Mayans for 5 years for their dental disease and organizing the dental missions with my wife and family ,we discovered Mayanfamiles.org.. What an amazing organization with such compassion and commitment to helping mankind. Sharon and Dwight have dedicated their lives to aiding the Mayan people of Guatemala.
Their aid in organizing our team of Dental and Ophthalmology healthcare providers was so helpful and professional making our trip our best yet. We will definitely partner with Mayanfamilies in all of our future trips to Guatemala.

Mayan Families is an EXCELLENT organization. They are helping soo many people through such diversified aspects. From running pre-schools, providing older children with school supplies, shoes, and necessities, feeding the elderly, providing knowledge through trade schools, and even building houses for families. They even have a medical clinic and the price is very very reasonable since most medications are donated.
You can really connect with your sponsored family or child by visiting them, sending them items through the mail, or by purchasing them through www.Mayanfamilies.org. You can provide your child a birthday cake, a holiday tamale basket, or a shovel for a dad, or buy 100lb of corn or beans for a family .....once again, very reasonably priced!
They have to ability to skype with your student, if they come to the office, and they are very good at sending pictures of their progress or posting them on their Picasa web site!
I am very happy I found this organization. They are changing lives there!

The group with Mayan Families is amazing! I am amazed with Sharon and Dwight and their huge hearts and wisdom which continue making a difference in so many lives! It extends with Dr. Luis of Mayan Families as well as the dedicated drivers and translators and organizers like Sara, Delia and Michelle! My husband, 2 daughters and myself already miss being in Pana to work aside these people and many more. We visited homes, schools, fixed a roof, worked in the woodshop, and most importantly gained some relationships with many whose paths we crossed. An experience my family will never forget and we definitely are wanting to return!

I volunteered as part of a group from Nashville, TN in May, 2013. Our group visited schools, families in different villages, and did some construction in 2 different homes. I am most impressed by how much Mayan Famalies does in these communities. They educate, feed , shelter, heal, and even take care of animals roaming the town without homes. I feel they have the right formula for what they are doing in Guatemala. Their growth is proof that they are really committed to their work. After meeting the founders and learning about their work there, I am very excited about my personal sponsorship that I will begin immediately. I also look forward to returning to see the families and to volunteer in some capacity with Mayan Families.

Excellent organization with real heart! Mayan Families works with the most poverty stricken children and families. It is amazing the work they do with so little resources! The staff and other volunteers were remarkable! I am inspired and you will be too! Great organization!

I volunteered as a translator for them and went on the weekly pre-school food drops, as well as translated student letters to their sponsors. The staff there is wonderful, and the medical clinic is a true gift to the community.

My family and I just returned from a trip to Guatemala highlighted by a day of service with Mayan Families. My men's group here in San Diego helps to financially sponsor three different boys through the organization - we were able to meet and visit with two of the three families as well as install a stove (that we purchased) for another needy family. The experience was amazing particularly for our teenage kids. The staff was particularly helpful and dedicated. Thanks for a day we will never forget!

I have been sponsoring a little girl and her family in Guatemala for 4 years, whoever I give, I get a letter or see pictures. The work this group is doing is fabulous!!!!!

I volunteered with Mayan Families for two weeks during the Summer of 2011. It was a wonderful and fulfilling experience. My only regret is that I could not have spent longer in Panajachel with Mayan Families. While there, I was a part of their medical and dental clinics for many different villages, and I also came home with a beautiful puppy that they had rescued through their animal welfare program. She is the most loving, loyal pup I could've asked for. I hope one day to return to Panajachel to work with Mayan Families again!

It is my pleasure to have spent one month out of two years volunteering for Mayan Families. Their staff is very capable, and helpful, and they all serve to work toward one goal: To provide food, education, clothing, health care, and just about any service they can provide to help the poor people around the mountains and Lake Attitlan in the Panajachel, Guatemala area. I saw first hand children getting fit with shoes that they badly needed. I saw children being educated in a clean, joyful, healthful setting. I saw food being delivered to needy families. I saw the Doctor who works at the main site who takes care of health issues. I saw little ones getting flouride treatments and new toothbrushes. I saw teachers who were interested in helping young children learn to appreciate books. Their staff is well organized, helpful, friendly, and care a lot about helping people. You couldn't ask for a better staff.

Mayan Families are a great organization. They approach issues of poverty by attacking them at the root, though livelihoods and education. This is in contrast to many other organizations, who treat symptoms without changing the cycle of poverty. They are also great at engaging donors and having a clear mission.

I work in the NGO field and can say that Mayan Families is a model organization. I will continue to donate to them and promote their causes!

It was a great reassurance to me when I was able meet my real live sponsored student when I had the recent opportunity to visit. The meeting was deeply touching for both of us. Education is the way out of poverty for these young people and our donations have a dramatic impact.

We have been supporting Mayan families for the past few year. We had been looking for an organization to support in the country for a few years. When we found out about Mayan Families and researched the work they do we knew we found the right fit for our family. All the community outreach and education they do is phenomenal.

I have been donating to Mayan Families for several years and am thrilled with all they do to help people in Guatemala

I have visited the Mayan Families organization in Guatelama for the past 3 years and will be returning again this fall. While there I have observed how this worthy organization is run. The in-house staff is well versed with not only the needs of the families they serve but the needs of the entire area. I have also traveled to many of the local schools that they have started and seen first hand the work that has been done with these young children that would otherwise not even receive basic skills. It is truly a heartwarming experience to not only visit, but be a part of this fine group of people who care for the less fortunate of Guatemala.

I have known Mayan Families a year after they started, when I came to Panajachel, at Lake Atitlan Guatemala, seven years ago. This was in 2006. I am simply amazed at the difference they have made in our small town, and every day you can see the huge difference they have made. There is no mistaking the changes that have taken place in the many villages around Lake Atitlan, all with the mark of Mayan Families. This is all due to the good-hearted, dedicated people that work with Mayan Families, the many volunteers, and the wonderful indigenous peoples that participate in the programs. I love living here now because of these changes, and I am so grateful that I can participate in them, too. Gratefulness on both sides counts!

The difference we see in the families, now with access to medical care, health & education, elder care, workshops, sewing and trade school programs, Mothers Day Baskets, Christmas baskets, Onil stoves, water filters, street dogs, street cleanup and recycling, micro-loans, savings accounts, women's empowerment, orphan care and more: just about anything that needs doing, Mayan Families has a hand in doing it.

It has grown from Sharon Smart & her husband Dwight working out of their own home to take in stray dogs and homeless children, to a very large group of fantastic volunteers and staff in Panajachel, where practically every cent goes to help so many. I think Mayan Families helped put more than 2,000 students through school. And they provide scholarships, shoes, books, supplies, pencils, paper, backpacks and more. No stone is left unturned to help these children who will be able to bring their families into the world of "reading and writing" and out of the third world suffering and poverty they have lived in for so long.

Education, Encouragement and Enabling are the key words here, and "enabling" in the best sense of the word, to help bring about a world that blends the indigenous culture with the modern challenges we all now face. It's a bridge here that people want to cross, and Mayan Families helps them do it.

Along with educational scholarships, I love the fact that they have started JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS that can be used here at home and are opening up international markets for the indigenous artisans around Lake Atitlan. The whole world is beginning to be at their fingertips, and it's a great doorway to "the other side." Along with the many medical missions and educational programs coordinated by Mayan Families, they are a hotbed of productivity & activity!

We need more people and groups in the world like Mayan Families... they are a role model for us all! I do all I can to help the good people at Mayan Families, and I hope you do too!

I have been donating to Mayan Families for the last 5 years and I love it! The more I learn about solidarity work, the more I appreciate the well-rounded work that Mayan Families does. They understand that it's not only about health, but also education and micro-loans and elderly care and nutrition and so much more!

I was very impressed by my visit to Mayan Families a few days ago. The organization compound in Panahachel is really impressive, with a happy bustling feeling of activity, friendliness, meaningful projects and super intelligent and friendly staff and volunteers everywhere. My teenage kids participated for one morning in the preschool flouridation program - it was very well run and clearly this program is desparately needed. This organization deserves accolades...and ongoing, substantial support. Bravo!

Have spent time during the last 3 years with Mayan Families in Panajachel. An awesome group who know the area well, use their money wisely and touch many many lives. Looking forward to being with them again. Barb Buss

I love Mayan Families...because of what they do for my group up in Patanatic.
When any is sick they provide a doctor... Recently one of our kids was diagnosed with a type of Down Syndrome..MF arranged for this little one to get physical therapy -- now with that help this child who has been carried in her mother's arms..has been given special shoes and is Cruising...We thought that she would need to be "patterned" but no she is holding on to stuff and trying to move around upright...Gracias Mayan Families..This is a big victory..

Dwight and Sharon run a top-notch organization. It's amazing to see it in action as so much gets done with a small staff. Can't say enough good things about them.

This charity squeezes value out of every dollar or item donated and every person who volunteers. I have participated in several of their activities and have seen no waste or padding on the part of the directors. Their preschools are modern and as well equipped as their funds allow, and each child gets nutritious
food each day. They provide food baskets at various holiday times, with volunteers filling the baskets destined for needy families. They make sure hundreds of students have what they need to attend school, such as supplies, backpacks and shoes. They take the time to screen each recipient of their charity so that the help given matches the need. It is an outstanding operation!

Mayan Families is a fantastic organization and I just am always amazed at the huge amount of work they do! For just $30 a month I Sponsor a student and I am so thrilled at their progress! I also help in an advisory role. Go to Guatemala and volunteer, it will put life into prospective! This organization makes generational differences in the lives of the rural poor in Guatemala!

January was my first time to Guatamela and the Mayan Families organization and I can't tell you how life changing this experience was. I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster the whole week I was there. My heart went out to the people of Panajachel after observing the struggles they encounter to just survive on a daily basis. I couldn't get over how organized and structured the Mayan Families were and the help and hope they give these wonderful people. It was so obvious how devoted this organization is to help the people help themselves.

I am now sponsoring a child and an elderly person and I know that every donation I give goes exactly where I want it to go. And for this I am so very thankful to the Mayan Families because without them this would not be possible. Like I said it was an emotional rollercoaster ride, but it was the best ride of my life and I will be definitely be back next January.

WE visited a preschool , visited two ancianos, and then helped feed people at a kitchen that fed the elderly. We helped a woman with 7 children by replacing her stove. The old stove was filling her kitchen space with black soot and causing her children to have bronchial problems. We helped observe a more established school receive a big screen T.V., computers (current), copier and various screens for school room use. There are a lot of good people helping with SO many good programs........We spent a lot of time visiting and learning about the organization. We hope to get support from back home for future solar power programs being talked about . Exciting find, we just dropped in and asked what they were doing.........

Mayan Families is now a fast growing organisation and a place where you can genuinely make a difference. Part by part, volounteers are building a better community and bettering Mayan Families. It is an exciting place to be, friendly staff and well organised. I thoroughly enjoyed the month I spent working with Mayan Families.

What a wonderful organization. In one morning we installed Onil stoves in the homes of four very grateful Mayan families. We were also introduced to the NGO's student sponsorship program. For only $20 a month, one can (and several of us did!) provide the resources for a child to attend school for one year: registration fee, uniform, necessary supplies, school shoes, and tennis shoes. Contact with the child can be maintained at mayanfamilies.org. Countless opportunities exist for improving the living conditions of people in the Panajachel area through this nonprofit. Spanish-speaking volunteers are always needed. Why not give it a try?

Mayan Families is an incredible charity run by some of the most caring and selfless people I have ever met. A group of us worked with them while on a service trip this past fall and it was an amazing and humbling experience. We installed ONIL stoves, passed out egg laying chickens and food baskets, spent time at 2 preschools and helped complete a house for a very needy family. Everyone we worked with at Mayan Families was wonderful. I am looking forward to returning to Guatemala and working with them again!

I absolutely loved my trip to Guatemala. Mayan Families made the time enjoyable and life changing. They made sure that we had transportation and days full of things to do and see. I was nervous because I didn't know anyone in the group and met everyone there. They made me feel welcome and needed! I can't wait to go back next year!

I was a photographer for Mayan Families this past fall. I was only there for a short period of time, but it was a great experience. Mayan Families is a phenomenal organization that does a lot of good work for Mayan people. I documented their food runs and eye care program. We went to small remote villages and optometrists from the States checked individuals eyesight and gave those in need free glasses fixed to their vision. I myself even got a sweet pair of sunglasses. It was a great journey and Mayan Families is certainly a fantastic organization.

I became aware of and involved with Mayan Families as a part of a trip to Guatemala in October/November 2012. This charity has the focus, dedication and intellectual resources to bring about real change in the lives of Guatemalans. The leadership has courage and vision and are culturally aware and sensitive. Monies donated to the charity can be specifically allocated to individuals, families and or projects and evidence of appropriate stewardship of the resources donated is very evident. I am proud and happy to be a sponsor of a child for this organization. I will return in 2013 in hopes of offering additional service to this great organization.

We just got back from a great service trip we took to Panajachel the week of Thanksgiving. We worked with Mayan Families and their tremendous staff during this week and were once again very happy with both the work they lined up for us and assisted with and the work they do tirelessly when teams like ours are not there helping. We installed ONIL Stoves, helped with chicken donations (egg laying), feeding programs for the elderly, working in their pre-schools, and construction for a new home for one of Mayan Families clients. Really can't say enough about how good the staff was pretty well top to bottom to work with and our hosts were tremendous. I'd encourage anyone thinking about doing service work in the Pana area (and beyond) to contact the folks @ Mayan Families. They are so well connected in the community and respected by all who come in contact them. If your travels don't take you to Guatemala - think about donating to this group - your money will be very well used in a place that the needs seem endless.

I volunteered at Mayan Families for a month and it was a great time. The people there are amazing and make you feel like family. In my short time there, I was able to travel around Lake Atitlan and see the beauty of the lake, volcanoes, and culture they have. But I was able to see even more beauty in the lives of the families and especially the children that have been changed forever because of Mayan Families and their volunteers. I hope to go back within the next year or two and stay for much longer!

We are happy to have the opportunity to sponsor a young student through Mayan Families. Our donation allows her family to be able to send her to school without worrying about the associated costs. We are looking forward to sponsoring her younger siblings as they reach school age. We send additional funds to provide things for the family from time to time. Mayan Families makes it extremely easy to donate to your sponsored students and their families. The founders and staff of Mayan Families are quick to respond to emails. I researched a number of organizations prior to deciding which one we would sponsor a student through. I believe that I made the correct decision by working with Mayan Families. I am looking forward to visiting Guatemala and being able to volunteer with Mayan Families in the future.

Through Mayan Families I have been able to sponsor a little girl in Guatemala to go to school and send her gifts. I sent her a bicycle one year for her birthday and she was very happy. Some years I send her a cake on her birthday and I know this makes her feel special. I often send money for food. Through Mayan Families she sends me pictures that she draws for me and she calls me her Godmother. I am encouraged to carry on when times get tough, because I remember my Godchild needs me. I have a child adopted from Guatemala, too. This is my way of giving back.

Sharon, Dwight and Patty (founders Mayan Families) are fantastic loving people giving their lives to improving conditions of the least fortunate people in the central Guatemala highlands. Every day brings some form of a crisis to their doors. Every day they and their fantastic care givers provide open arm support, under the most stressful situations, unconditionally. I consider this group to be outstanding heroes and without reservation recommend them as true honest sharing humanitarians. We all can do more to give back and Mayan Families is on the ground where our money and support is not wasted. I feel privileged to know them and be a small part of the great things they do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 12 months each year. Thank you Wayne Skogman and Judy Harvey ( Friend, donor and volunteers ).

Mayan Families tells donors exactly what donations go toward. This organization is truly the most worthwhile group I believe anyone can give to. They provide real time support to people in desperate need.

I have been supporting this charity since the beginning for I lived in Guatemala for 24 years and found them to be the most honest and caring charity I have ever known. When the big mud slides occurred, the director used her own money to buy food and collect blankets and clothing for the hundreds of people who lost their homes and families. They care for the people as though it was their family.

I have been sponsoring a student through this charity since 2007. I love that every penny I send actually goes to my student, be it for school supplies, clothing, medicine or food. Over the past 5 years I have received photos several times a year and it has been fantastic to see how much healthier she appears and how much she has grown. This is my favorite charity and the most fiscally responsible charity I have ever encountered.

My children and I have volunteered with Mayan Families twice now and are amazed by the incredible work they do within the community. We can't wait until we can go volunteer again.

I didn't expect much from this trip to Guatemala but what i learned from working with Mayan Family was much beyond my expectation. People were so nice and I wish I had more time. It was the most valuable summer I've spent. If I could, I would definately go back to Mayan Family. Thank you all for great experience and keep up the great work.

My two months with Mayan Families were fabulous! My two friends and I worked for pre-school nutrition program. We developed Monitoring and Evaluation system for the program, measuring the kids' weights and heights. Every single kid in all pre-schools were adorable. I won't forget their smile... It was always my pleasure to meet these little kids. It was very inspirational experience not because I thought I was doing something for them, but because I thought I'd been always learning from Mayan Families. I saw the local staff sweating a lot to pick up the heavy stove. I saw the volunteer from many different places devoting themselves to build a house for their sponsor kid. I kept eveything inside of my heart for Guatemla. Every single staff in Mayan Families, including the founders, Sharon and Dwight, they tried to help us to make sure we would go back to Canada with the most precious experience with Mayan Families. I really appreciate them. I already miss Panajachel and people there... I had the best summer ever...

We have been connected with Mayan Familaies for many years. What is so awesome is that there is some volunteer work for everyone. The staff at Mayan Families are welcoming. And the work being done is diverse and tremendous. We look forward to our return back there.

We went down to Guatemala as part of my daughter's heritage; she was born there and is beginning to ask questions about her birth history. We spent 2 days volunteering with Mayan Families. They are an impressive organization. We were able to spend time in the preschool, my husband took photos of all 60+ children, the teachers, and some of the parents too. They children are delightful and happily engaged with their teachers and visitors. The school is bright, cheerful and a welcoming place. We also had the privelege of helping to install 2 stoves in the homes of the town of San Antonio Palopo. The families were very grateful to have an efficient stove for their families to use. Mayan Families reaches out to the most in need. We are sponsoring one of the families so their little boy can go to school and get a nutritious meal everyday ( a luxury by their standards). Mayan Families also works to rescue to many stray animals that one inevitebly sees throughout the streets. We will most definitly be back!

This organization and it's efforts are very impressive. I have been working with a variety of non-profits for thirty years, as well as overseeing one of my own, so I know what it takes to run an operation like Mayan Families is running and they are doing an exceptional job. I was looking for a new avenue in which to expand my exisiting programs and donation efforts and I have deffinately found that avenue in the Mayan Families organization!

This summer was my turn to finally give something back to Guatemala and its wonderful people, and I feel so lucky to have chosen Mayan Families. I followed their blogs for a year before deciding that this was the place for me, somewhere that volunteers and donors (as I now am in sponsoring children through them) can become personally involved and aware of the people that they are helping. As a 3-week volunteer in July and August, I visited my sponsored child and her family, visited other children along with their sponsors, installed energy efficient wood cook stoves, served lunch to elderly clients, translated letters from tiny, grateful children to their sponsors, and even banged nails and sawed wood on a housing project. I believe I made lifelong friends with Mayan Family staff, volunteers from around the world and other sponsors such as myself, and most rewarding of all -- the children and clients served by Mayan Families. All this was remarkably free of any ideology other than the motto of Mayan Families -- Educate, Feed, Shelter, Heal. I can hardly wait to go back next summer and do it all again! And in the meantime work from afar with other sponsors and volunteers to help all year long.

Our group of 10, 4 adults and 6 teens, just returned from volunteering at Mayan Families for two weeks. We helped build stoves, painted murals and provided muscle for moving . Mayan Families' efforts in providing support to the Maya population around Lake Atitlan is significant, impressive and important. From educating the children to feeding the elderly to free medical services, Mayan Families is making a difference in the lives of a disparate population in need of a hand up. We will be returning next year to volunteer!

My 12 year old daughter and I had the privilege of working with Mayan Families for 5 days. We were with a friend and her daughter who were volunteering for their 4th year. I was so impressed by this organization. Having served on boards and working with many non profits over my 20 years in business I can confidently say this is the best NPO out there. I have been back in the states for a week and I cannot stop telling people about Mayan Families or brainstorming on ways that I can help the organization from the states. The amount of work that was done on a daily basis with a limited staff and resources is absolutely amazing. I have never been so touched and changed by any experience before. All the MF staff felt like family to me by the end of the week. We were treated as part of the team, supported as part of the team and I still feel like one of the team working from home. Thank you for all you did for us, I can't wait to get back down to work some more.

My husband and I went with 7 other members of our church to work with Mayan Families, installing stoves in families' homes and sponsoring children to go to school. It was the most amazing experience for us. We were never left on our own, always having, at least one, sometimes more, of the Mayan Families' members with us to help with their language, as we spoke very little Spanish, and helping us understand the culture there. This is a wonderful group, and it's doing wonderful things for the families in Guatemala. We've had so much support from friends and families at home - we're going to return next year!

This is our 4th year volunteering with Mayan Families. My 7 yr. old daughter and I brought down a friend and her 12 yr. old daughter to help this year. It was another amazing experience. MF makes it so easy. We thank they all for the help they gave us bagging food to take to the preschools, arranging the snack we would serve and getting us to and from the preschools. Erin and Eddie were amazing. Along with Gloria, Julio, Dwight and Sharon. Cannot say enough about the amazing staff. Thanks for another wonderful year and all the great work you all do in Guatemala!

I like the way Mayan Families is organized and run. When we donated and communicated with them, they were very professional and helpful.I also like their awards and reviews. I have seen with my own eyes the work Mayan Families does. Other groups just talk and have too many meetings. Mayan Families works, does the job needed right now and walks the talk. If you want a really dedicated group, this is it.

Mayan Families is an amazing organization. Dwight and Sharon helped us with transportation, interpreters, housing and repair of dental equipment. Our group of 28 volunteers were able to provide dental care to 930 children in 5 days thanks to Mayan Families. The highlight of my week was meeting the teenager we sponsored last year. With our donation, he was able to go to trade school this year. His big hug and smile will never be forgotten. There are so many ways to help support this wonderful NGO!!

We (Kids International Dental Services) have been working with Mayan Families for quite a few years and it never ceases to amaze me to see the extent of their commitment toward the Mayan people and Mayan culture. I have tremendous amount of respect for their ability to organize any complex work and get it all done. For one entire week we work together and their staff and volunteers work tirelessly with us every single year. Looking forward to be with them again next year.

Wow what a great experience working with the Myan Famlies. They were always right there to assist not only with the working of the families with supplies. This was my first trip to Guatemala and it was an eye opening experience to see how these people live. It is marvelous that there are people like the Myan Families to help the families with providing schools, efficient stoves, food etc. I was really touched by the students and their families and was glad to be part of our team. I am looking forward to returning next year to help where I can.. Thanks to all of the staff of Myan Families for making me feel welcomed and for all of the assistance with making arrangements to make our visit more enjoyable.

My experience with the Mayan Families was wonderful. This organization is well organized. We were greeted each day with an intinerary and plan of events. ALL of the employees, workers and volunteers were excellent. We were provided with interpreters and workers at all times. They were always sensitive to our needs and comfort levels. They're misson is a tribute to the Mayan people...always focused on their well being, striving to improve their conditions, and honoring their culture in the process. What a blessing this experience has been for me! I'm looking forward to going back for more!

Mayan Families is a wonderful organization located in Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala. I recently returned from my 3rd trip with them and they are absolutely outstanding! They have their act together, and I know these people personally and they are all just loving caring people. Already got the trip booked for the next two years!

Their heart is really in the right place! They need work in meeting new comers, getting them connected and organizing their activities. Some new volunteers get lost because there is not a string program to capture them when they arrive and make them productive.

This was my first mission trip ever and the first time I've been out of the United States. All I can say is that this organization blew me away by how well they organized our stay and what we could do to help. They always made sure we had someone with us who could translate for us, made the necessary reservations for lodging and any restaurants that we wanted to go to. The experience of helping to build 10 stoves for families in need was priceless. I also admire them for promoting education beyond the 6th grade for the indigenous people of Guatemala. For loving the people as they are but showing them that with further education they can improve there lives! I cannot say enough good things for the staff of this organization. I look forward to returning and working with them again in the future!

What an excellent organization! I have been donating for a few years now and I am amazed at how much they have grown and the impact Mayan Families is having in Guatemala! I have been to Guatemala and visited with my sponsored students, all made possible through Mayan Families. Their sustainable programs are very impressive!

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Our daughter's birth country is Guatemala and we give to mayan Families as a means of "giving back" for the gift of her in our lives. Thay do so much with the funds give that I recommend them to all my contacts at holiday times.