Give a Little Bit

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With the holiday season *rapidly* approaching many people are in search of the perfect gift. What better than a gift that gives back?! Our favorite non profit, Casa Guatemala, just released their new 2013 Wall Calendar now available for purchase on Ebay! Check it out! If your into photos, travel, smiling children or Guatemala this calendar will bring a smile to your face AND theirs! The calendar is priced right and benefits the beautiful children you see pictured throughout the pages.

Along with their everyday needs, our contact Heather let me know that the Casa needs a new (to them) VHF radio. The VHF radio is used to communicate to over 800+ boats along the Rio Dulce and without one they are unable to promote themselves. Announcements like the Especial De Dia from Hotel Backpackers Restaurant (Casa Guatemala's main financial support) and  also letting cruisers know when the delivery boat will be passing by selling fresh, baked breads and the fresh meats and cheeses that Casa Guatemala makes! If you are able to help in some way to provide Casa Guatemala with a new VHF radio, please be in touch! You see, although Casa Guatemala seeks support from people like you and me they also support themselves from within by growing fresh fruits and vegetables, teaching farming techniques and running the Hotel Backpackers Hotel & Restaurant!

If you are able to contribute in some way or are preparing a trip to Guatemala's Rio Dulce please consider practicing some "Karma Yoga" and give a little bit of yourself to them. You won't regret it!

What's in a name?? 2012 Hurricane Season...

Hurricane season is upon us and with two storms prior to the actual start date we have a hunch that this year might be a little busy. We spent last year in Rio Dulce, Guatemala a good spot to wait out the season. Although, we will pray and keep our dock lines and fingers crossed that it's as peaceful a year as ever, we got a giggle out of the names on this list!! Check it out!!


Alberto (used) Gone(used) - Gone but not forgotten.
 Beryl (used) Gone but not forgotten
Chris (unused) - Short for Christine or Christopher, remember that movie? Christine, eek!?
Debby (unused) - Does Dallas? Who knows...
 Ernesto (unused) - A Latin spin on a German name, spicy!
 Florence (unused) - My Grandmother's name, She doesn't take any stuff!
 Gordon (unused) - Captain, My Captain, I think Gordon will be the one!!
 Helene (unused)
 Isaac (unused)
 Joyce (unused)
 Kirk (unused)
 Leslie (unused)
 Michael (unused) - My Dad, and if this storm is anything like him, he'll give us hell!
 Nadine (unused)
 Oscar (unused) - The Grouch, need I say more??
 Patty (unused)
 Rafael (unused)
 Sandy (unused) - Sandy Seagull one of our dearest friends, and she's a tough cookie!
 Tony (unused) - Good Strong Italian Name, Hope he bark is worse than his bite.
 Valerie (unused)
 William (unused) - A good, strong name.

Since this is our lifestyle we will be paying particular attention to this topic until November.Do any of these names have any significance in  your life?? Help us fill in the blanks!

*Giving credit where credit is due, our friends on SV Papillion posted the list of names on their blog first, check it out here.

Donations Sent to The Casa!!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.  ~Margaret Meade

For those of you who have been following along for a while you know that we are all about Guatemala! And at every chance we get, we talk about our favorite non profit, Casa Guatemala! Our karma yoga is to promote and support them in any way we can. For those of you who'd lie more information, check out these posts; Casa Guatemala & Hotel Backpackers.

About a month ago we received 3 boxes totaling about 42lbs from some *great people* who collected donations through their office. We had hoped to hand deliver them but instead ended up storing them until a volunteer appeared! Since they are school supplies and the best thing to do is to get them to the kids as soon as possible; we are happy to know they are well on their way! The beautiful kids of the orphanage oat Casa Guatemala will soon be receiving crayons, pencils, notebooks, markers, band-aids and tooth brushes & toothpaste! We can't think of a better way for them to start off the new school year!

So the first group of people collected the goodies, then we stored them. Then I found a volunteer heading to Guatemala to work with Casa Guatemala in Florida He went ahead and paid the extra charge to carry a whole suitcase full of stuff. Then I bummed a ride (since we don't drive or own a car) from a friend who took me and all the supplies to the nearest Fed Ex and we shipped it to the Volunteer who leaves Monday morning for Guatemala City! PHEW! I tell ya, it really does take a village. But again, thanks to just a handful of committed people we made it happen!

It makes us so happy to know that "Together Everyone Achieves More" and we worked together as a T.E.A.M. and got the supplies to the kids with very little expense and within very little time!! Want to help? Email us @ MVFelicity (@) Gmail.com .

Don't forget to support Casa Guatemala by checking out their Facebook page.

-Or-

Make a donation by clicking here.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

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Hotel Backpackers

If you ever take a trip to Guatemala, go to Hotel Backpackers. Some of our readers are sailors, cruisers or just plain world travelers. So when I say if you ever get to Guatemala, I really mean when you get there!

Located on the Rio Dulce in El Relleno, Guatemala Hotel Backpackers is along the "Mayan Route" allowing visitors making their way through the popular spots to catch a glimpse of life on the river. This photo is taken at night just off the pier of the Hotel and captures the Restaurant lit up at night! Hotel Backpackers is the organization Casa Guatemala's way of supporting themselves by operating a beautiful restaurant with fantastic food at great prices and a hotel for, you guessed it, backpackers. Those are mainly people travelling through the country on a budget. Most times volunteers of Casa Guatemala stay at the hotel as well and ride in a launcha to the orphanage every morning. (Oh, how I miss the river.)

Heather @  Hotel Backpackers is a great voice on the river hosting the Cruiser's Net once a week. She has the most enthusiastic broadcast and announces specials & events the go on at the restaurant every day, even Sundays. My favorite was the Thai food, and Gia's was the Tortizza (mini pizza on a tortilla). The Casa also goes around to every marina on a launcha offering goods for sale, every Tuesday and Saturday. Now, this was a special treat! The boat would be filled with coolers carrying, delicious meats, cheeses and freshly baked breads! Boaters didn't even have to venture off the deck of their boat and you couldn't miss them because they would shout out, " Casa Guatemala" as they passed every boat at a slow drift!

Hotel Backpackers and Casa Guatemala are on Facebook, Like them!!

Casa Guatemala is a self funded organization so they get NO help from the government. Hotel Backpackers is solely run to support Casa Guatemala and often times the children that grow up at the Orphanage begin working at the Hotel and Restaurant as they come of age! Besides that only the help of supporters like you and me, and an extensive Canadian population as the founders of the Casa were originally from Canada.

I wrote last Sunday about Casa Guatemala and the good work that they do providing shelter, medical care and education for the desperately needy families in the surrounding areas. Several of you had more questions about Casa Guatemala and wanted more information. For more information email us @ MVFelicity at Gmail. Make a donation directly by clicking HERE.

Slideshow of the Hotel here.

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Casa Guatemala

Many of us have never known hunger, poverty or disease. Many of the children that come to Casa Guatemala know nothing else. Please take a minute to envision how much your little effort could offer to a precious, innocent child.

If you have been following us for any length of time you know full well that our hearts belong to Guatemala. When we will return we do not know, but while we are here we have some fundraising to do! During our stay in Guatemala's Rio Dulce (05-11/10-11) I had the opportunity to perform selfless service or "karma yoga" with an organization known as Casa Guatemala. Casa Guatemala is an orphanage, that provides a loving, nurturing atmosphere for impoverished children to receive education, health care, nutrition and life skills.

It all started through the Cruiser's Net, I heard a call for someone to host yoga classes.Then I saw the  opportunity to raise money for the organization by holding yoga classes. It was then that I met Heather, she is the Director of Communications & Fund Development. Now HERE is a woman that has dedicated her life to the beautiful children that call Casa Guatemala home. After becoming friends with Heather, I learned more about the needs of the organization and felt more compelled than ever to help.

When we left Guatemala we had to give away many of our personal belongings. Even Gia had to say goodbye to her toys, stuffed animals, clothes books and movies. She was a good sport because she knew these items would bring joy to the kids of CG. Casa Guatemala donated to us two empty large suitcases in exchange for two FULL large suitcases to be returned to them. Full of what, you may ask. They need items like shampoo, toothpaste, soap, swimming equipment, books in English or Spanish and many other things. Click here to see the list of the items needed!

You know how to get in touch with us. Starting today we will be accepting donations through our blog, email and through our home address. If you would like to help us fill these suitcases up with supplies, please send us a short email and let us know how you'd like to help.

To make a monetary DONATION direct to Casa Guatemala Click HERE.

 

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