Tropical Storm Agatha

At the end of May, tropical storm Agatha hit Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the south of Mexico and it brought lots of damage to the area. In Guatemala there were widespread floods and mudslides. That was the weekend that we had Titi's birthday party and I was busy all weekend so I was very shocked to come to my computer on Sunday night and see pictures of the devastation. I was even more shocked to learn that Sharon's home and the Mayan Families organization' headquarters, were in danger to fall into the river. We had just bought tickets to go and visit them and I was so sad to think of all the damage this storm was doing to so many people we knew.

It was a very rough week for Guatemala and the effects will be felt for years. There had been a volcanic eruption earlier that week and the ash had caused lots of damage already.

You can see pictures from Boston.com

There was almost no media coverage of the damage here in the USA and most of the Mayan Families Connection members tried to write about it on their blogs and Facebook. Thankfully, that brought donations and Sharon and Mayan Families were able to help as much people as they could. They sent food and material donations to the most affected towns.

Mayan Families have posted lots of pictures of the devastation and the help they have been able to provide thanks to their generous supporters.

Photo from the Mayan Families Picasa albums. You can see more pictures here:

Photo Albums

Sharon and Dwight's home is still standing but the river is now at the back of the house and they have had to move out. Sharon says that hundred of people have losts their homes and they will not be able to rebuild in the same place for fear of more mudslides.

Members of MFC from different parts of the country sent emergency shipments and Don and I decided to send a box with some of the stuff we had collected. We sent mainly shoes, jeans for boys, baby formula and some other items. Thank you so much to everybody that has donated items. I am especially grateful to Geraldine and her mom Sara for all their help.
What Mayan Families needs the most is money to buy food and supplies for all the people that have lost their homes and the people that have been affected by the lack of tourism in the area. They were already living on very little and now they have nothing. Lots of people eat only a couple of tortillas a day and now they cannot even afford that. We are hoping people will open their hearts and will see the need and will continue to donate.

To donate, please go to www.mayanfamilies.org