The Beca Project

It is with joy in my heart that I pass along the news: the Ujpan Tuch family’s home is complete! I feel so lucky today. Of course I am grateful for my own comfortable home and the love and support of my circle of family and friends, but I am feeling especially fortunate to know the people who envisioned this project years ago and have worked tirelessly to see the dreams of this family come true – the staff of the Cooperativa Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala.

I also feel blessed to have met this deserving family and to be able to visit them again this summer, now in their beautiful new digs. Their lives have changed drastically in the last year, first with daughter Maria’s Beca scholarship (thanks to Tracy and Craig and family!) and now with a safe, comfortable new home.

¡Muchísimas gracias to those of you who contributed to this project!

Mynor and the beginning of the demolition of the old home:

Building the foundation (some in the photo are Spanish students offering a helping hand):

Walls going up:

Stirring the cement:

Pouring the floor of the top level:

Completed walls:

View of kitchen and new stove:

Decorating for the celebration:

Grand opening! Cooperativa director Lorenzo opens the door for the Ujpan Tuch family including father Luciano (black and red cap), mother Florinda (center with green blouse), and Beca student Maria (in gold on right):

For anyone who is looking for a new pet project, a way to spend change that’s burning a hole in your pocket, a thoughtful gift for someone who has everything, or a tax deduction, we’re now focusing on fundraising for the next home. I am ecstatic that it will be provided to the family of the very 1st Beca student, Andrea. Total cost of this home will be just over $6000 and it would be wonderful to have the funding in place by the next dry season which will start in November. Happy trails!

Andrea and her family by the door to their current home: