(2020, $296 [tot. $600], Chontal)
We put together $600 total to send to Chontal for 2 Christmas activities: a Christmas program with gifts and games for children, and food resources for families most in need.
Hello, and greetings from ... Boston!
This year, I won't be in Ecuador for Christmas for the first time since 2012 - incredible! But, we can still collaborate at a distance in the Christmas program.
Last year, the queen Kely, the church, and the medical staff at the health clinic organized a large Christmas program that benefited children and seniors. What a special time!
Being a different year, there won't be a community program, but, instead, the same team are planning to safely visit all the households to bring simple Christmas gifts to families and to bring needed resources to those most in need. And they are hoping for our support at a time when the pandemic has a choking effect on their local economy. There is no government stimulus check or unemployment assistance for them.
They were able to raise $100 in the community itself. I'll be sending another $200 from a donor, and I'm adding in another $200 personally. I'm hoping to raise $200 more in this fundraiser to send a total of $600. (And adding in the $200 from two donors that I already forwarded along for Christmas gifts for the children in the daycare center would bring the Christmas total to $800.)
The goal is to have 200 small gifts to give to 51 families, and 21 bags of groceries to give to households most in need. The church president has forwarded a list of all the people and families involved, which as all people I know - and who we've supported before!
We've already given much in this difficult year - in fact, we've already given $1200 to the community in 2020. I and the people are grateful, and yet I understand that times are tight. If you can't give financially, please keep all in prayer - and hopefully some day other opportunities to collaborate will come about. But I'd love to have you involved, so thank you for considering giving a gift for all us here!
UPDATE 1/5/2021:
I received an update from Chontal for the Christmas program. Kely the queen and the church and the health center together put on a Christmas program on Christmas Day for children, and later made deliveries of food supplies to families most in need. Everyone was content with the day and the activities, and over 30 homes were reached with food supplies.
They were able to take some photos and videos that I’ll share here. A few broken cell phones apparently limited the photography. You’ll also notice that there are no masks or social distancing, a reflection of the confidence that people have because of the remoteness of the community and the continued lack of presence of the virus there.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed, it made such a big difference in the community. Imagine: there were no programs or food deliveries planned until we were able to bring together the financial resources from our fundraiser.
Enjoy!
Here are some photos of the kids’ program on Christmas Day:
A few photos of the door-to-door deliveries of food supplies by the queen Kely:
A few videos of the kids’ games!
UPDATE 12/26/2020:
We’ve raised a total of $296 in the fundraiser, which means I’ll be donating less from my own resources here at Barriers to Bridges ($105) to complete the $600 that was sent (Another $199 came from previous donations from another donor). That helps me to save money for the expenses I’ll have getting to Ecuador in January.
Gifts and food supplies were purchased with the money and on Christmas were given out during a small Christmas program and door-to-door visits. I'll provide updates as they come. For now, here are pictures of the supplies that were bought:
Update 12/19/2020:
Each year, I’m just as amazed!
A big thank you to the generous people who gave so much so quickly: the campaign reached its goal in just 1 day! In fact, we exceeded the $200 goal by raising $222, and I'm already working on a plan for the extra money.
Thank you again, and best wishes for continued Christmas blessings!
For tax purposes, please be aware that Barriers to Bridges does not yet qualify for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. No goods or services will be provided to you for your contribution.