Dear founding families,
Thank you for supporting our vision to help hundreds of children living in poverty around the garbage dump area of Guatemala City.
From the moment we started feeding children, I knew I couldn’t serve all the children by myself. I don’t even think I could have served fifty children alone. I know our staff is key to what we do because we all believe that our job is to feed as many children as we can each day, every day.
I always remind them that serving our children is like serving Jesus. Many times, I believe Jesus has come to our feeding center in the form of a child, because like Matthew 25:35 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” I am confident that every time we feed a kid, it is as if we are giving food to Jesus.
Our volunteers is composed of hard working mothers and young girls that were born or raised in communities around the garbage dump. Most of them understand firsthand the difficulties of raising children in a place where food is so uncertain. For this reason, I believe they are inspired to go the extra mile to feed every single kid that shows up for food.
If Jesus was serving food in the garbage dump of Guatemala City, he would need help from people, His community, in the same way his disciples helped him when he fed 5000 people with just five loaves and two fishes.
I thank God for every person He has brought to serve alongside me. I would like to honor them today and share a summary of who they are:
Maria del Rosario Suarez (39) is my sister and has worked for two and a half years in the feeding center. Rosario is in charge of cooking and cleaning at feeding center no. 1. She enjoys cooking for children. I am so thankful I get to work with my sister. She tells me that I am like a second mother to her because I took care of her since she was very young. Unfortunately, Rosario recently lost one of her children (my nephew) in an accident. It has been such a difficult season for her and all of our family.
Maria Amparo García (54) has worked for a year in the feeding center and she is in charge of making the drinks and cleaning. She has lived in the garbage dump for over fifteen years and used to work in the garbage dump. She has four children and four grandchildren. Amparo brings a lot of energy to our mission every day
Ofelia Elizabeth Zatl (24) has recently joined the staff of the feeding center and she assists Rosario in cooking and helps with cleaning. Ofelia was raised in the garbage dump and was never allowed to go to school. She has been working making tortillas since she was six years old. Thankfully, the teacher from the educational program has started teaching her how to read and write.
Angelica Maribel Perez (39) was born and raised, just like myself, in the garbage dump. She is a single mother and takes care of six children. Angelica is currently cooking in the feeding center no. 2. And also has a part time job sorting through recycled paper. I admire how hard she works to take care of her children and how much she thanks God for being in the feeding center.
Ana Gricelda Laines (22) has worked for seven months and is in charge of cleaning. She also helps serve food to the children. She loves to hear the voices of the little kids coming into our facility. She has lived in the garbage dump area since she was very young. Ana also started taking care of her two sisters when she was just fifteen years old. I have supported her since she was a little girl. Her heart is full of love and compassion. Ana’s dream is to go to college and become a nutritionist.
Ana Yadira Pinera (38) has worked the longest with me, in total three years and seven months. She helps with the cooking and cleaning in feeding center no. 2. When she got married, she moved to the garbage dump area. She loves cooking and talking to our kids. Yadira is constantly praying for the food of the feeding center and for my health. Yadira was a great support when I had health problems three years ago, because she continued working hard while I was recovering. I am so proud of her!
Our volunteer and myself understand what a privilege it is to serve at the feeding centers because we believe this place was born in God’s heart and we just get to be part of God’s plan. All these women are strong and dedicated to serving our children!
My prayer is that God continues sending the right people that love Him and love our children.
Thank you for helping us to transform the futures of those in need.
With love and gratitude, Pastora Mercedes
2 Feeding Centers are feeding 400 children and 18 older people in need of hot and nutritious meals.
After-school program: 20 children are now part of our after-school program to help them with their homework and keep them safe in our place.
