This year's Guate-Gala raised just over $14,000! We are thrilled. This money is a big step toward our goal of raising $100,000 by 2016 in order to build a school/youth community center. For more info on "Project TEN FE 2016," visit our page here. Muchas gracias! The kids thank you. :)
THANK YOU to everyone who came to the second annual Guate-Gala last night. We had a wonderful time and were so happy to see all of the support you gave the kids! Final numbers are still being calculated, but stay posted. Meanwhile, enjoy this photo gallery featuring just a few of the lovely people in attendance!
Get ready to come out for a fun filled evening at the Second Guate-Gala. Join MC, Lisa Cooney, and guest speaker, Courtney Smalley on Friday night, August 14th. Hear about Courtney's experiences working in Guatemala with TEN FE for 3 months. Also Special Guests don Romeo and his family will be in attendance. Take the opportunity to talk with them about the important work they do on a daily basis for TEN FE. There will be dinner, open bar, Silent Auction, games, music and lots more. Proceeds go to help TEN FE raise funds to build a grade school and youth community center in Santiago, Guatemala. Please come out for a good cause! Last day to purchase tickets is today! Tickets can be purchased on the 'Guate-Gala 2015 tab. Hope to see you there! Thank you and TEN FE.
Hey, everyone!
There is now yet another convenient way to support TEN FE. Goodshop is an online shopping portal that will connect you to your favorite stores, give you great coupons, and donate a portion of the money you spend to TEN FE.
Here's a list of some of the most popular retailers on Goodshop:
All you have to do is sign up and click "Find a cause to support," then select TEN FE as your charity. We recommend bookmarking the page so that the next time you want to buy something online you'll remember to check for deals and navigate to your store through Goodshop. It's just that easy to support our kids in Guatemala!
One of the things that I wanted to do during my trip to Guatemala was to personally meet the kids who will be joining TEN FE in January, 2016. This trip I was meeting Irma (age 9) and Olga (age 7) who are relatives of kids already involved with TEN FE, and Carlos (age 14) from another town (based on the recommendation of Mario Yac). I had no intention of adding a new student mid-year to the TEN FE group of 32, but once I met Alex, I couldn't let an opportunity to work with a dedicated student like him pass TEN FE by.
Please meet Gudiel Alexander Choxin Puac, or otherwise known as Alex. He is an amazing young man (age 18) and I'd like to share a little of his story. He is in the third year of middle school (called Basico in Guatemala), which if you recall is not tuition free anywhere in Guatemala. The cost of one year of Basico, plus a uniform, is approximately $250. It is impressive that Alex is half way through his third year of Basico...something not half of the population in his town has achieved. But it's even more incredible when you know a little bit about what Alex has endured in his 18 years.
Alex grew up in a very poor home. His mother died when he was young, at about the age of 10. Alex has two younger siblings who were approximately 6 and 8 at that time. Soon after, his father remarried. The father worked and the stepmother 'took care' of Alex and his two siblings, but she insisted that they work to earn more money for the family. Alex and his siblings attended grade school in the mornings and would work in the fields in the afternoons. The stepkids were often mistreated and were not fed if they did not earn enough money each day. Alex recalled that on many nights, if they had not earned enough money, the stepmother would not let them enter the house and they would end up sleeping in the streets. When Alex was 12, with some help from neighbors and a few family relatives, he and his younger siblings moved out of the house because they couldn't stand the abuse. Alex, now the oldest in the household, continued to study and work and take care of his younger brother and sister. When Alex finished 6th grade and moved into middle school (Basico), he elected to attend school on the weekends (common in Santiago) so that he could work a full time job Monday through Friday.
For two and a half years now, Alex travels by bus each morning at 5:00 am to go to Guatemala City where he works construction, as an assistant. He finishes work at 6:00 pm and then rides an hour home on the bus back to Santiago. He earns enough money to support himself and his siblings, but he hasn't been able to cover all of the tuition cost at school. Alex told me about the debt that he carries from his school, part of last year's tuition and all of this year's tuition, and how it burdens him. In addition, he was not able to buy a new uniform this year or buy any of the books. He is grateful that the school still allows him to come everyday and study, given his debt of about $275. However, the school clearly stated that they will not give him his diploma when he graduates in October until his debt is paid off. As I was listening to the incredible story of Alex, thinking about his perseverance, motivation and dedication to his siblings, work and his studies, I was touched by his eagerness and excitement to tell me (when I asked) what he wants for his future. When one graduates from Basico in Guatemala, the next step is Diversificado (high school). High school is even more expensive than middle school and because Alex wants to study Graphic Design in high school, he will likely have to go to Guatemala City to find a high school that offers that specialty. As I was curious about his plans for the future, I asked Alex that if he does go to school in Guatemala City next year and continues to work in Guatemala City, if he might consider moving to Guatemala City. His answer was a quick 'no' with the rationale that he will stay in Santiago to take care of his siblings, now 15 and 13.
When I heard Alex's story and visited his house I was amazed by his strength, boldness and tenacity. Before I left, I told Alex that TEN FE would pay off his debt at the school. He had no idea that this would happen. Don Romeo told Alex that he personally would go pay the debt off at the school. Alex, shocked, started to tear up and smiled from ear to ear. This is no exaggeration...in that moment, he straightened up in his chair, asked if we were serious and when he concurred that we were, he smiled, his cheeks turned red, his eyes were watering and you could literally see that the weight that he had been carrying on his shoulders was lifted. He immediately thanked God and us for helping him through a rough time in his life. For a few moments, Alex looked like a content kid...not someone who was stressed about school, siblings, work, debt and where their next meal was coming from. It was a special moment that I wish I could share with everyone reading this story. No 18 year old should have to carry that weight alone.
When I told someone this story in person and showed them the pictures of Alex and his house, they immediately handed me $200 and said to pay for the rest of Alex's tuition for this school year and to buy the books that he needs. TEN FE is thrilled to help and support someone like Alex. Welcome TEN FE student # 33.
On June 3rd, 2015 several TEN FE students got the chance to Skype with Badin High School students. It was the first technological exchange of TEN FE with any school in the U.S. TEN FE students got the chance to ask BHS students questions and vice versa. It was hopefully the first of many exchanges to come. Go Rams!
On May 20, 2015, it was an honor to come talk with Mrs. Hartke's 6th-grade social studies classes about Guatemala, TEN FE, and our mission and goals for the future. I had no idea that after I left Beechwood Elementary School that day, Mrs. Hartke and the 6th grade students secretly started collecting money for TEN FE. I was shocked when they called me back into her class and presented me with a check! Unbelievable work by diligent, motivated 6th graders! Thank you to all of the 6th grade students, their parents, and of course, to Mrs. Hartke for helping to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Guatemala.
A huge thank you to BHS student, Jenna Puccini, who organized TEN FE Tuesday on May 5, 2015! She even started a 'Badin TEN FE Club' at school. The students collected $125 during lunch to help sponsor a child through TEN FE. This was a student-driven idea! Thanks Jenna and all of your classmates for making a difference in some pretty special, but underprivileged, Guatemalan children's lives. Thank you for all of your efforts. Jenna also set up a technological exchange (a Skype call) that will take place between TEN FE students and Badin High School students on Wednesday, June 3rd. Thanks, Jenna!! Go Rams!
A special thank you to the 30+ volunteers who gave up a Sunday morning to help pass out Gel to runners and cheer them on at mile 22 of the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a huge success and we had a lot of fun. Volunteers came from Badin High School, Thomas More College, and 4 Corners Church, among other local supporters of TEN FE. Thank you for your hard work! TEN FE raised over $1,000 from your hard efforts. We couldn't have done it without you!
Troop 1391 in NKY has chosen TEN FE as their organization to help raise awareness of and they are highlighting the country of Guatemala for their International Day contest at the end of the month. Tonight they made bracelets that say "TEN FE" on them. They each made 2 bracelets; one to keep for themselves and one to give away. The receiver of the second bracelet is supposed to keep it only one week and then pass it on to someone else. Each time that a bracelet is passed on, the receiver will register on TEN FE's website with their first name and city and state. Each bracelet has been given a tracking number. The girls are excited to see how far these bracelets might travel across the U.S. Never underestimate the power of Girl Scouts. Muchas gracias y TEN FE. Check out the log periodically to see how far the bracelets have traveled.
I had the great pleasure today of speaking at Badin High School, my alma mater, about TEN FE. Today BHS celebrated service and community as part of their culminating Catholic School Week celebration. It was a tremendous honor to be asked to participate. The students were very interested in how they could partner with TEN FE and help out our students. They talked about hosting a collection drive of vitamins, toothbrushes and toothpaste to send to Guatemala. Who knows what these talented and creative minds will come up with? Proud to be a Ram. :)
There are several ways that you can help TEN FE raise money through the Flying Pig 2015.
A) You can run any of the events during the weekend of May 1-2-3 and sign up with a TEN FE code for a discount on your entrance fee. Please email me or call me (jluebbers@msn.com or 513-325-2118) for the TEN FE discount code to register and then to http://flyingpigmarathon.com/
B) You can ask for pledges/donations on your behalf for running in any of the Flying Pig events.
C) You can help work at a water/gel station (sponsored by TEN FE) during the marathon race on Sunday, May 3.
D) You can buy a $5.00 pig raffle for a chance to win several large prizes. Drawing will be help on Friday, May 1. All proceeds from the pigs will go directly to TEN FE. http://www.piggestraffle.com/
A special thank you to Katie, Monica and Mrs. Kemper for helping spearhead this missions collection initiative at St. Ursula Academy. We appreciate all of your help and hard work! Great job girls! Muchas gracias y TEN FE!
Come out and honor Orphan Sunday on Nov. 2 at Four Corners Church to help support the orphans of TEN FE.
TEN FE was selected as an official charity of the inaugural Queen Bee Half Marathon race in Cincinnati, Ohio. Thank you to everyone who ran, walked or volunteered at the race on Saturday, October 11, 2014. It was a great day and a great way to raise money and awareness for TEN FE. Without your help and support, TEN FE would not be all that it is becoming. We hope to be able to participate in the Flying Pig Marathon in May. Check us out in the spring to see how you can participate in the Flying Pig and help TEN FE. Muchas gracias y TEN FE.
Please take 5 minutes to read this update/blog from Courtney about TEN FE's plight in Guatemala. Enjoy the beautiful pictures of our students. Consider making a donation to help build a school and a community center in Santiago, Guatemala. Thank you! TEN FE!
Courtney Smalley, a (recently) former student of Julie, has just arrived in Guatemala, where she will spend three months volunteering for TEN FE. She's keeping a blog here. Check out her most recent post, all about Guatemalan Independence Day traditions and how our kids got to share in them!
from L to R: Irineo, Jaqueline, José Luis, Rut Saraí, Ana Gloria, Lluvia, Carlos, Samuel, José Abelino, don Romeo, Fredy, Hilda
Our sincere gratitude goes out to Lisa Cooney (Channel 5 News); Dr. Malcolm Robinson (economics, Thomas More College); Kelsey Hinken, Drew Otten, and Michael Stephens (students, Thomas More College); and don Romeo and Dina Sactic (Guatemalan staff).
Interested in helping TEN FE? Sign up to run or walk in the Queen Bee half marathon in Cincinnati, OH on October 11, 2014. Use discount code TNFQB14 to save $15 off the registration for the half marathon or for the 4-mile event. Don't like running, but still want to help? Sign up to be a volunteer the day of the race, on behalf of TEN FE, and TEN FE will earn money. Email Julie at jluebbers@msn.com for more information or to be a volunteer. Races are a lot of fun! Come and see what the excitement is all about AND help TEN FE at the same time. Muchas gracias y TEN FE!
