From the February issue of our Monthly e-newsletter. more...
Changing Lives Changed Her Life
February 04, 2010
I'm a Guatemalan citizen who had the privilege to work as a volunteer-translator with HELPS International in its first annual medical mission. Destination? Nebaj - Quiche: the poorest of the poor, the forgotten ones. This one week experience changed my life forever. more...
Comadrona In-service in Santa Avelina
January 31, 2010
We returned to Santa Avelina for our second in-service to find out how effective our training had been the previous year. The birth attendants in Santa Avelina had many success stories to share. more...
México Office
Cruz Verde #199 Casa 8
Col. Lomas Quebradas
San Jerénimo Lédice
México DF 10000
Calling from:
Mexico:
(044) 55-22-42-4944
United States:
(011) 52-155-22-424994
Southern México Office
Carreta a Zaachila km 4,
Esquina David Alfaro Siquieros
Col. Rufino Tamayo
Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, OAXACA
Tel/Fax: 951.549.5515
Cel: 951.121.8302
Partners in Education Program
(PEP Kids)
Cheryl Weeks-Rosten
PEP Kids Director
989-631-5126
Welcome To HELPS International
HELPS International, organized in 1984, is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that partners with individuals, businesses, corporations, local and national governments to alleviate poverty in Latin America. HELPS integrated programs include: medical care, education, community and economic development, and agricultural innovations in order to improve the quality of life for the indigenous people of Latin America. Read more about HELPS projects and check out the site links for volunteer opportunities, success stories, the needs of families in Guatemala and Mexico, videos and ways to donate.
MEDICAL
To alleviate medical problems in Guatemala's rural indigenous areas, HELPS International believes in providing US hospital standard healthcare from highly trained medical/surgical teams to the rural population. Alleviating suffering through medical care promotes a positive healthcare attitude among the rural population, and serves to lessen the burden on major medical centers in the cities.
EDUCATION
HELPS International believes that education is essential to the future of Guatemala, and has worked since the early 1980's with Mayan (indigenous) women and children in the development of literacy and education. Today, the HELPS Education Program has developed into a system of K through Sixth grade education, with scholarship assistance for those seeking secondary education. HELPS continues to make a strong commitment to longterm literacy and education.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT The cornerstone of HELPS International's development philosophy is the belief in an integrated approach with a variety of HELPS programs in order to assist communities in the developing world. HELPS recruits volunteer groups to implement such projects as the ONIL stove installations, school construction, potable water systems, and concrete floors for homes.
THE ONIL STOVE
For centuries the indigenous population, the Mayan, have cooked their meals using open flame three-stone fires on the floors of their one room homes . This traditional method of cooking is the cause of rampant medical and environmental problems throughout rural Guatemala. After an investigation of the cultural and technological factors surrounding three-stone fires, HELPS International developed the "ONIL" Stove: a durable stove that minimizes smoke and burns, and reduces wood use by 70%.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HELPS International believes economic changes are essential in order for Guatemala to have real and permanent growth; HELPS, therefore, supports economic efforts that promote opportunity and individual initiative. HELPS programs include: micro-credit loans, and the creation of marketing outlets for the products of Guatemala.
COFFEE PROGRAM Guatemala is a place of great beauty and a place that grows simply the best tasting coffee in the world. In an effort to provide economic assistance to the country, HELPS International is now offering its own private labeled Guatemalan coffee. In addition to the great taste, this coffee offers a great benefit: all the profits from the sale of HELPS coffee go to programs specifically designed to improve the lives of the Guatemalan people.
CORN PROGRAM
HELPS believes that increased yields in the cultivation of corn is key to alleviating poverty because improving corn production equals improving the economy of Guatemala. HELPS, in cooperation with its partner DISAGRO, implemented a corn program in the rural highlands that resulted in increased production and promises to bring real economic change to the region.
WATER FILTER PROGRAM
The HELPS Gravity Water Filter is a practical solution to the need for safe drinking water everyday in rural communities, and during emergency relief efforts. Safe drinking water is often very scarce, or available at great expense. The gravity water filter uses two containers: a person simply pours the water into the top container where it then filters to the lower container through a ceramic purification element, providing up to 10 gallons of safe drinking water every twenty-four hours. The initial assembly is easy and the setup time is about 15 minutes.
Helps International
- copyright 2004 - All rights reserved
