Local missionaries prepare for trip to Guatemala

By Joseph Elliot

Members of the Windsor/Essex County based development group Guatemala Hope are

preparing for two upcoming trips to the small rural village of El Triunfo, Guatemala Oct. 31 and

Nov. 15.

 

Guatemala Hope is a non-profit charitable organization that has been sending

missionaries to El Triunfo annually with the intention of improving the villagers’ livelihood. The

group visits the village, which has population of roughly 1000 and the surrounding villages of

Los Tiestos, La Esperanza and Guijilote three times a year with each trip focusing on different

causes.

 

Rosmarie Dulong president of the organization, has been involved with the organization

since it was incorporated in 2003 and has taken 10 trips to the village.

 

“We have about 150 students and their families that come to us to see if they can get help

financially so they can go to school,” said Dulong. “Names are given to the education committee

down there that we formed and they make the final decision because they know the people better

than we do, like who can benefit the most financially.”

 

Between 100 and 110 Guatemalan students will receive bursaries this year so they can

continue their education. It costs $300 Canadian to sponsor a student and that money helps with

uniforms, tuition, transportation and also helps pay room and board if the student must travel to a

nearby city for school.

 

“All of the money is from fundraising,” said Dulong. “We’ve just launched our mailing

campaign and those go out to people who have sponsored in the past. Quite often they continue

to sponsor their student until they graduate.”

 

Aside from education, the first group of 24 missionaries travelling to the village this fall

will work on housing, agriculture and a floodway, which will prevent water from overflowing

from a nearby lagoon and flooding crops. The group will also be giving women classes in

cooking, nutrition, sewing and handicrafts.

 

The second fall trip will conduct a medical clinic which will be attended by over 12

neighbouring villages. This second group of 24 includes one doctor, three physician assistants, a

pharmacist, two nurses, a registered practical nurse and a personal support worker. Serving as the

medical clinic coordinator and making her second excursion to the village is Brenda Belleau.

 

“We want to treat the people of Guatemala and the outlying villages for their health, well-
being and mental well-being, so they know there are people out there that are willing to give

back to them and to help them out,” said Belleau.