Empowering 27 Mayan families to overcome poverty.

Dearest Supporters of Creando Mi Futuro:

In light of the terrible things I read that are going on in the States, especially to our Black brothers, it is hard for me to write a cheery, uplifting Progress Report for Creando this night.

But know that we continue to do our work here in San Pedro la Laguna, hoping that what we do not only teaches kindness, caring, cooperation and consideration for others, but helps these families improve their income-making potential here in Guatemala, rather than feeling they have to emigrate to the States to make a decent living.

Let me say the mothers continue to bring their weaving materials to the project patio every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, and they continue to bring their smallest children with them to attend our little pre-pre-school group – to experience the basics of learning and cooperative play, and keep out of their mother’s way while they do their beautiful work.

Their older children continue to attend our Saturday class – learning this week about the origin of the volcanoes that line this side of the lake – and every week learning a little more about themselves and about making art.  Last Saturday a few of them saw Andy Goldworthy’s artwork-in-nature, online, and we went down to the lakefront beach and made some natural art of our own.

The community garden continues to be maintained and harvested.  And last Friday the mothers group went to the garden and learned all the food that can be made for their families from a simple but very large ground-level vine that produces gourds but so much more!  They harvested flowers and leaves as well as the gourds, and they made traditional dishes new-to-them, thus learning about their ancestors’ way of living as well as a new food-source that grows here abundantly    There will be two more talks/meals in this series.

So – despite all that hurts in the world right now – there is a little oasis of peace here, which I am really grateful for.   We will graduate one senior from high school this year, and 4 junior high-schoolers will move up to the next level, thanks to your donations and the scholarships they are receiving.

Thanks to all of you who participated in the recent Matching Campaign thru GlobalGiving.  I believe we received enough to not only keep on doing the work we do, but perhaps to buy a vigilance camera for our little storefront, so the mothers feel more secure leaving their products there to sell.  We also hope to finally paint our classroom floor, after 8 years of dealing with the pits in the concrete and discoloration.  Many of the children come during the week for homework help from our teachers.  I want them to feel proud of this place that for a time operates as a second home for them. 

Wishing many blessings to my brethren in the U.S.  Sometimes hard times provoke the best from us.  May there be lights everywhere.

Mira Talbott Pope, Directora

Asociacion Comunitaria Creando Mi Futuro

San Pedro la Laguna Guatemala

• Photos for Sept 2025 report (DOCX)