NEWS RELEASE
PASO POR PASO
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Paso Por Paso is in its 13th year of operation in Guatemala.
Often as organizations grow they experience many changes as we have in this past year.
Paso Por Paso is now working with two service providers in Guatemala. As of January 2019 Mayan Families and Funda Maya began operating as two separate non-government organizations.
Paso Por Paso’s student sponsorship program is carried out by Mayan Families. This year we increased the number of students we sponsor by six students to a total of 38 students.
We are grateful to all of our Student Sponsors for their dedication to the program and to the Mayan students they support. We are particularly grateful this year to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as the congregation itself chose to sponsor a student as did five additional parishioners.
Our microloan program also increased and we now sponsor 55 women in the village of Tierra Linda. Each woman receives approximately $180 Canadian to start or expand a business and Paso is very unique in that the women do not need to pay 20% interest which is typical for most microloans worldwide. The most typical business is agricultural related, with some involved in textiles, beading, and sales. International research shows the women in developing countries spend 90% of their income on their families while men spend 35% on their family.
The Canada Maya Scholarship program has supported three university students this year. Two of the students will be graduating this year and Paso will be reviewing applications for two new students who can start in January 2020. The program is now administered by a recent graduate of the CMS program, Maria Isobel Churunel.
The annual Guatemala trip this past February was very popular. A record number of nine directors and nine friends of Paso Por Paso made the trek to Panajachel. While there they participated in a wide variety of activities: Student home visits, microloan presentations and visits, a scholarship luncheon and a valentine-making session filled the days with many opportunities to interact with the local Mayan people.
At the recent annual general meeting (AGM) Paso accepted two resignations from the Board of Directors. Judith Rapson was a founding member of the board since its inception in 2006. She had been very involved with the microloan program. Fred Fallis also stepped aside to pursue other interests. Fred was President for three years and treasurer for three years. Both will continue to contribute to Paso as honorary members.
Roger Pretty rejoined the board as a director. He was a founding member of Paso Por Paso and had taken a few years off. Roger spends a few months each year in Panajachel and has developed many friendships there.
Johanna Fell is new to the board but not to Paso Por Paso. She has participated in Paso activities in Guatemala during her three previous visits with the group. She has a degree in Spanish and International Development and a Master’s Degree in Social Justice, Equity and Diversity.
Following the AGM, the directors elected the executive for the upcoming year. Doris Middleton was elected President, Dale Duncan, Vice-President, Bob Goodwin, Treasurer, and Mary-Lou Amos, Secretary.
For more information on Paso Por Paso, visit our website at www.pasoporpaso.ca. Our blog can be accessed from there. Our Facebook page, Paso Por Paso Orillia, also has current information about upcoming Paso events.
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