We’re looking for an enthusiastic group to build a home for a needy family in Guatemala. It can be a church, a team of co-workers, a Rotary club or a boy scout troop. Or, maybe your extended family would like to have the vacation of a lifetime, one that you will always remember?

Meet the family

The family of Tomas Calel lives in the community of Chutzorop I, Chichicastenango. They do not have electricity or running water.

There are nine people that live in this home constructed of sticks and corn stalks. A strong wind could blow it down. It probably leaks with every rainfall. They all sleep on the ground, huddled together for warmth. Look…

There are no beds, no kitchen table. Tomas has a physical handicap and does not work. None of the children have EVER attended school. All nine of them survive on roughly $1 per day (not individually — the WHOLE FAMILY) yet they smile and play, and laugh when Diego bumps his head. (please watch our short video)

Thankfully this family now has a stove. We have provided them with food donations and will also be delivering them a water filter. But, for the first time in our nonprofit’s history, we are building a home. Join us!

While this is new for the Guatemala Service Projects, it is not new for Diego. He has coordinated work project teams in his past and he is hopeful that we can coordinate a work team to build a home for this family.

Looking for a work team…

At this time, we are not looking for individual donations which, when combined, would raise the funds needed. We are looking for a church, corporation, Rotary Club, Boy Scout troop or extended family group to travel to Guatemala and together build a house of concrete block construction.

It could be completed in one week with a team of 8-12 people. The total cost of the home would be approximately $5000 to $6000 and both teens and adults could participate. This would be similar to one of our travel teams but the primary emphasis would be this home-building work project. It would be a private travel team, coordinated by Guatemala Service Projects and the construction project overseen by Diego Xirum. Please contact me if your church/club/business/troop/family would have an interest! If you would like to extend your vacation and add some tourism at the end of the work week, that is certainly an option!

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful feeling being part of a fulfilling work week where the home above was replaced with a dignified, fortified, safe home?

You can build a home for a needy family in Guatemala and receive more blessings than you give. The joy is in the giving. A week’s worth will change Tomas Calel’s family forever.