A Touch of Guatemala

How many people can say they have had breakfast with a "Miss World" contestant? Well last week we here at Awana Canada enjoyed a light morning meal with Monique Aparicio, "Miss World Guatemala 2012"!

Monique Aparicio

Monique and her host, Grant Saip of Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada, met us bright and early Thursday morning and shared with us their vision for Guatemala. Since the "Miss World" competition Monique has dedicated her talents and gifts to serving God and helping her country by joining FH Guatemala. (Watch this video to hear her share how FH is working in Guatemala.) She is visiting Canada to share her story and bring a little bit of Guatemala to the Canadians she hopes will continue to support FH in her country.

In Guatemala, 8/10 children have chronic malnutrition. This is the worst percentage in Latin America and number three in the world. Only 2/10 children get to middle school and only 1/10 receive a high school education. Over 50% of the Guatemalans live in poverty.

Photo Credit: Freddy Murphy

There are 14 million people in Guatemala and HALF of these live in Greater Guatemala City. Most of these urban city dwellers have no idea about the state of the rest of their country.

Monique was one of those people. When she visited the rural communities of her country and saw what was really going on in people's lives she knew she had to do something. She saw angry, bitter people, vulnerable, hostile and disadvantaged. They are used and abused by the government, bribed into voting for political parties and looked down upon by the more well-off.

But Monique also saw what FH can do and is doing in these communities. What she loves about FH is that "they are not giving compassion, they are giving inspiration!"She says that Guatemalan's don't need pity, they need hope and encouragement. FH helps the people in a way that teaches them to help themselves and Monique knows that "we [Guatemalans] can do it". She says that the communities that have been reached by FH are full of peace and trust and gratefulness. The people are empowered to make changes in their lives, the lives of their children, and the state of their country.

Photo Credit: Freddy Murphy

FH Canada is working on a three year plan for educational assistance for Guatemalan children. And this is where Awana comes in. Grant told us that "Awana is such a natural fit" for their program because it instills hope, confidence, and faith in the next generation. Awana's proven curriculum is just what FH needs to teach a biblical worldview to the children of Guatemala. Monique is excited about the prospect of using Awana because she sees that Guatemalan's have a strong belief in God but they are confused. Many abuse the Bible and use it to defend such things things as alcoholism and the inferiority of women. She hopes that with the teaching and direction they receive from the Awana program, the confusion of Biblical texts will diminish.

At Awana, we are thrilled to be working with FH Canada in this new educational proposal. That's why we are fundraising for Guatemala this year. Six dollars can send another child to an Awana Club. Six dollars can reach another child for Christ. Six dollars can effect another child's future forever.

Will you join us? Will you join Monique and Grant as they seek to implement their new proposal? Your help is needed. Find out more about the "Holla for Guatemala" campaign and start fundraising today!