[Anne1377]

I asked Debbie if it was okay to post this and got her permission so I am posting this and am asking people to keep it bumped up!

Dear Friends,

I have recently been in touch with an organization that I am hoping to volunteer with. The Guatemalan Student Support Group is looking to place high school students from Guatemala in Northeastern United States area host homes for the school year 2009-2010. There are two groups of students who we are looking to place with host homes. The first group of students would arrive in May 2009, learn more fluent English over the summer and then attend high school and return home after the school year. The second group would arrive in August 2009, and stay through the school year. The students who arrive in August speak fluent English and have already been involved in this program.

We are looking for 30-40 more families to host these students. I am sending out this initial request just to see what the interest level is like. We are looking for families in the Northeast at this time- Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire New York, Maine, and Vermont. The organization needs to place students in clusters together in the same geographic area which is why I am trying to get the needed 30-40 host families in the Northeast. This is the first attempt to get families in the Northeast. This program has been successful in other parts of the country and we would love to get it up and running here. There are currently groups running in North Carolina, Minnesota, and Michigan. Next year there will be a new group running in Colorado.

The mission of this organization is to bring about socioeconomic development in Guatemala by educating Guatemalan youth in the United States, because the schools available to them in Guatemala lack sufficient resources to provide quality education.

All students come to the United States on appropriate visas. They all live in deep poverty, with no possibility of improving their lives without outside intervention. All speak Spanish and usually another Mayan language as well. All have been through at least the eighth grade level of school in Guatemala and have had three years of English. All students return home to Guatemala after the school year ends. They do not stay in the United States. This program is aimed at helping to create a middle class in Guatemala for the indigenous poor via education.

All the students receive a physical exam and a chest x-ray in Guatemala and must be found free of communicable diseases and profound health problems in order to participate in the program.

The organization covers all major expenses: passport, visa, airfare, health insurance, and a clothing allowance of up to $300.00 (if needed) the first year and up to $200.00 ( if needed) the second year.

If this is something that might interest you, please send me your information- name, address, telephone number, email address, number of people in your family and the names of high schools in your area (both public and private). Please email this information to me at : anne1377@aol.com. Feel free to email me with any questions as well. Once I receive your initial email, I will forward you more information.

If we get a large enough response, we are hoping to be able to begin bringing students here in May 2009 so we need to begin the host family application and home visits soon. Please remember that this is just an initial inquiry to see if we can get enough homes! Please forward this to anyone who you think might have an interest in becoming a host family.

Thank you,

Diane

[laylasmom]

Bumping. If the program makes its way to WI, I'd be very interested.

Janie

[Tammy2005]

I am very interested and sent in my information, what a great opportunity for these kids. Tammy

[dspakowsky]

I LOVE this program! I met the founder and he's amazing! However, we have two moves on the horizon (we're military) otherwise I'd say count me in!

[mamaskoby]

I would love to host, in California! Let me know if there is ever the chance!

[robandjulie]

What a great idea! We're not anywhere near able to host a HS student for a year right now, but we fowarded it to all of our teacher friends who know loads of parents and kids that may want to host a student!

[guatparents2be]

as soon as the program comes to the NW, let us know! sounds amazing. will forward to some of my peeps on the east coast.

[adoptlove66]

we are in Northern Virginia/Wash DC area and would love to do this if it opens in this area - I am suprised it has not since this area is so big. Please let me know if there are plans for this area.

thanks
Karen

[Amber76]

Wow-I wish we were in the Northeast, but we're midwesterners!

[MicheleB]

Hey Diane!!! How are you! Long time no chat...

Anyway.....Oh ME ME - When you are ready for someone in Colorado I am in. We just moved to Colorado a few weeks ago....sounds like a great program not only for the students who are coming to the U.S. but also for our family and especially our kids!

[Anne1377]

bumping......

[b_fettes]

Anne, thank you for posting this. Unfortunately we are Irish and so can't help, otherwise we would be very interested. I think it is a really excellent opportunity for both the student and the receiving family especially if they have Guatemalan children. I really hope you do get some names - what an amazing chance to 'give back ' to a country we all owe so much to and to get the opportunity to learn about culture and language from a Guatemalan student.

Mary

[Anne1377]

Bumping .....and asking for people to forward this to anyone here in the Northeast who might be interested in hosting a student!!!

Thanks,

Diane

[Mandy4President]

I would love more info if it moves to WI!!!

[grommy]

Its a WIN WIN situation -- host families
are super blessed with these sweet humble students
and the students are given the chance to change
their lives, their families lives and their community
in Guatemala.

You can fill out an application to host and just ask them
to keep you in mind for the future -- no obligation or
pressure --

Guatemalan Student Support Group