Here is great news from Margaret Blood of Mil Milagros whom we at First Parish have been supporting through SAC grants and our Guatemala Recovery Project:
 
Greetings from Panajachel in the Guatemalan Highlands!  The morning after I arrived, Jose (our program coordinator), Ana (our nutrition coordinator) and I traveled to Chichimuch for the "inauguration" of the school which had been newly renovated - new windows, a new roof and a beautiful coat of blue paint. The community organized a standing-room-only celebration. I was honored to sit at the head table for this event and to have Mil Milagros recognized as such an integral partner in the school's life. It is a truly inspiring place.
 
Jose and I returned to Chichimuch on Tuesday to conduct a focus group with the seven mother leaders who are managing our infant nutrition program. It was a privilege to spend time with these hardworking grateful women who had so much to share with us about the impact that our partnership with Wuqu' Kawoq (who is delivering the infant nutrition program and health care). I am using the information from the focus group to draft the grant report and new grant proposal to First Parish in Concord, which awarded us the funding to launch this effort. I must tell you, however, that I will never get used to having mothers thank us for helping them to feed their children. No mother should have to worry about how she will feed and care for her child.
 
I am pleased to report that the construction for the six new bathrooms at Pahaj has begun! They should be complete in the next three weeks. I will keep you posted.
 
This morning Jose, Fredy (our children's councils' coordinator) and I attended an incredible program, along with fifth and six grade teachers from each of our partner schools and others, about the Guatemalan Civil War that ravaged the country and took the lives of some 200,000 mostly Mayan Guatemalans from 1960-1996. The purpose of this program is to train teachers how to teach their children about the war - something that to date has mostly been left out of Guatemalan textbooks. It was an honor to be able to participate in this program today.
 
There is so much to tell you and I have only been here a week! I have started a Tumblr account to keep you abreast of our work here - mostly through photos. I will update it as frequently as I can.  Please see milmilagros.tumblr.com and let me know what you think!
 
I am so truly grateful to each of you for your commitment and support. Everyone here asks about you and sends their sincerest thanks and warmest regards.
 
Un abrazo,
Margaret Blood, Mil Milagros