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BUATEMALA Guatemala, known to some as an idyllic vacation desti- nation, is also a nation with a significant unequal distribu- tion of wealth and, as a result, a vast number of the popu- lation struggle to meet even their most basic needs. Almost ninety-one percent of Guatemalans live in extreme poverty; with little or no access to adequate food, water, shelter or education. Many children are required to work long hours outside the home in order to help care for the family and thus, are unable to attend school. Forty-one percent of children do not attend school and only fifty-five percent are literate. It is because of these issues that thirty year old Juli Local group prepares for the trip of a lifetime Conard has felt a strong pull toward missionary work. A wife and mother of two young children, she has been committed for more than ten years to improving the qual- ity of life for others through her numerous volunteer and church-oriented pursuits. Her dedication and enthusiasm is infectious and she has gathered a group of both youth and adults to join her on this, just her second mission- based trip, to provide assistance to those in need. “We are so blessed to live in a community that cares not only for its own, but for others in far off places. This community is so generous that it literally enables the Mission Team to go out to better a community that is not theirs, for people that they don’t know’ states Juli. Her first foray into missionary work took place last August when she accompanied a group of twelve youth from Greenbank to Mississippi for a week-long home building adventure to the hurricane Katrina ravaged n. ion. en talking about Guatemala, Juli states, “This project is still in the early stages, and already we are seeing that this mission is bigger than any of us anticipated. The work is greater, the need is greater, and the heartwarming excite- ment from the Guatemalan hosts is simply overwhelm- ing.” “They need our help, and we are helping them ina way that other organizations often overlook,” she says. The team’s wish list includes the most basic necessities of life, that in Canada are taken for granted every day. Their intention is to provide as much support and relief as possible, all the environment. “We want to offer a hand up, not a hand out,” Juli said. The goal of the fifteen person “Mission Team” is multi-faceted. Together, the group are hoping to provide opportunities for those living in poverty to change their cur- rent circumstance, offer education, alter- natives and simply, to make a difference. Leaving on April 30th, they will have ten days to change the face of poverty in Guatemala. Upon their arrival, the “Team” will run a local soup kitchen, feed- ing over one thousand people. They will then visit a medical/dental clinic and a local hospital, providing support and supplies to newborns and their mothers. They hope to distrib- S Please turn to page 20 FOCUS - JANUARY 2010 27