Rainbow World Fund

Since 2002 RWF has been taking people on humanitarian aid journies to Guatemala. In that time 50 partcipants have devliver nearly 4000 pounds of medical and school supplies valued at over $500,000 along with $25,000 in cash grants to a women’s clinic in Guatemala City; an orphanage in Santa Apolonia; a water project in the Mayan village of Tapesquillo; a school in Santa Cruz del Quiché; Project Safe Passage, a school for the children of the men and women who make a subsistence living by scavenging in the Guatemala City garbage dump; and OASIS, the only openly LGBT organization in Guatemala.

Thank you for your generosity and support. With your help our groups have made a huge difference in the lives of hundreds. Antibiotics, antifungals, diabetes medications and HIV medications all mean the difference between life and death in Guatemala. These vital supplies come from all of the doctors and hospitals we could contact before our life changing trips. We bring them in our suitcases.

Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Over 70% live below the poverty level and over 30% live in abject poverty, existing on less than one dollar per day. Over 60% are chronically malnourished.

It's hard to describe all that participants experience during the journey, but here are a few things people have mention:

- Standing in the Panabaj Memorial Peace Park, site of an army massacre of local indigenous people in 1990, knowing that last October, RWF was on this very spot only hours before a massive mudslide came down the side of a nearby volcano. Over 2,000 people died. "This year we stood on holy ground, where hundreds are buried under the mud, and together we said a Buddhist prayer of peace."

- Listening to a 65-year old Mayan woman describe how she has spent all of her life walking several hours each day carrying water her family needs. In two months her village will have a gravity-fed water system. "She was so grateful that her grandchildren would have a better life because they will have easy access to clean water."

- Spending time with our amazing guides - two American Catholic Sisters who have spent many years in Latin America and were there during the height of the war. "They knew many of the sisters and priests, who were kidnapped, tortured and murdered. Through out the trip we were in constant awe of the courageous people we met."

- Returning home and being surprised to realize that the water that poured so easily from the faucet was safe to drink. "I will never view life on this planet the same way again. When you meet people who have absolutely nothing, you search your heart and soul deeply to ask why? This trip reminded me of the importance of giving and the importance of giving thanks."

Though the mission to Guatemala is behind us our work continues.

Visit RWF's In The News page to finds several newspaper and magazine articles about RWF's Guatemalan journeys.

Passport Magazine will be featuring RWF's humanitarian aid journeys in their April 2008 edition!

2008 journey to Guatemala:

JOIN RAINBOW WORLD FUND ON A HUMANITARIAN JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA
Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 27, 2008

Encounter new lands and peoples in a way that values them, deepens your spirituality, broadens your world view and begins to heal the world. Walk with a legendary people, learn about Mayan spirituality, and explore human rights issues with a people whose traditions span centuries of development. Experience ancient, colonial, and modern influences that have molded a people of unique strength and deep faith. Help deliver medical and educational supplies ... be forever changed. Special guest presenter: Julia Esquivel--poet, theologian and human rights advocate, engages participants in reflection drawing on her spiritual wisdom.

Our journey includes several presentations that will orient you to the reality of Guatemala:

The tour starts in Guatemala City and then moves to rural areas and finally to Antigua the old colonial capital. The following list of experiences gives an breif overview of what may be included on our journey:

Again we are accompanied by GATE (Global Awareness Through Experience) staff who serve as translators and facilitators of the experience. Our veteran guides are two American Catholic Sisters who have lived among and served the people of Central America for many years. We have traveled with them on four previous trips to Guatemala -- they are brilliant and courageous. Their energy and commitment will inspire you.

The tour includes time in the rural areas of San Lucas Toliman and a visit to Santiago Atitlan. Here we see firsthand the Indian and Ladino communities and are hosted at the mission guest house, having dialogue with the people, and participating in their lives. We'll make a pilgrimage to the church and simple rectory of Stanley Rother, an American priest from Oklahoma who was murdered in Santiago. By entering into the life of the people and hearing about their struggles, our journey offers an opportunity to understand the prolonged oppression of these Indian communities. While in Antigua, the old colonial capital, we reflect on our experience and prepare for departure and reentry into North American life.

Participants are asked to collect medical and school supplies during the months prior to departure. Each person is allowed two 50lbs bags on international flights. Together we will fill each persons second bag (duffle) with much needed supplies to be distributed at clinics and schools during our journey. "How do I collect supplies?" Ask hospitals, clinics, your employer, companies, friends, churches....be creative. We will provide a list of requested items later but start collecting now -- everything is really in need: medications, antibiotics, antifungals, rubber gloves, bandages, ... pencils, paints, rulers, art supplies...our goal is to bring 1500lbs of supplies. We will also collect money which we will gift to the aid programs, orphanages, schools and clinics we visit. We will send you a fund raising packet to help you do this.

Visit RWF's In The News page to finds several newspaper and magazine articles about RWF's Guatemalan journeys.

Passport Magazine will be featuring RWF's humanitarian aid journeys in their April 2008 edition

**The program fee covers ALL costs of lodging, food (except one meal), translation and guide services, group facilitation to help you achieve personal growth during the journey, lecture fees and all in-country transportation (our own private vans and drivers) for programmed events. Airfare is not included trip participants will arrange your own airfare. We will give participant information to coordinated their arrival times times with the group as the trip dates approach (If you book your flight through American Airlines you are entitled to a 5% discount on you fare by using code A2178AW).

The total cost (not including airfare) is $1500.00 ($100.00 registration fee plus program fee $1400).

At the end of our journey you have the option of adding a day(s) on to the trip to independently explore, visit the ruins and jungle at Tikal, or shop. This it can easily be arranged from Antigua -- where we will spend the last few days of our journey. The cost of a trip to Tikal is about $215.00 including airfare to the ruins, ground transportation, a pass to the park and a tour of the ruins. Our guides can help you arrange this and other outings once you are in Guatemala. Every year several participants have stayed for extra days to further enjoy Guatemala.

In Guatemala our ground transportation will be via modern private vans with experienced drivers. Our hotel accommodations range from simple and clean to very nice - think 2 to 4 stars. Rooms are shared by 2 people. Depending on group size we can arrange single rooms throught the trip for about $150 (based upon availability). Our meals are varied, hearty and tasty. Purified water will be available throughout the trip. We will usually be less than 2 hours from medical care. If you have special health needs let us know and be sure to bring any medications you will need. The trip is minimally demanding physically; however, the Guatemala journey will change your life!

All applicants will be contacted for an interview screening. Upon completion of the interview process applicants will send a nonrefundable deposit of $100 ($150 after April 15) made out to "GATE", GATE North American Office,912 Market St., LaCrosse, WI 54601 (Please write "RWF Guatemala Trip Deposit" in the memo section of your check and include all your contact information). The Program fee: $1400 ($700 Due by April 15 and $700 due by May 15). Contact us at (415) 431-1485 if you can't meet these dates. See rainbowfund.org/journey for updates.

To ask questions and/or arrange for your telephone interview please contact us at (415) 431-1485 or email journey@rainbowfund.org

Join Rainbow World Fund and CARE for a National Advocacy Conference on June 18-19, 2008 in Washington, DC

The conference is a two-day annual event where RWF donors and supporters can take part in the fight against global poverty, HIV/AIDS and issues of humanitarian aid.

The conference is host by our partner CARE – one of the oldest and most respected humanitarian aid providers. This will be the 3 rd year that RWF has participated. In the past 13 RWF representatives have attended. This is a great opportunity to learn how Washington, DC works and to speak with your Senate and Congressional representative about important humanitarian issues.

On the first day, participants will explore a variety of international development issues with policy experts through panel discussions and training sessions. On the second day, participants will have the opportunity to deliver critical policy messages to Capitol Hill and the administration during meetings with members of Congress and other key decision-makers.

June 18 - Discover Your Power: How to Create Change
Learn about poverty-fighting work and the impact of U.S. policies on poor women and their communities through discussions and workshops. Hear from development experts and learn how you can make a difference. We start at 11 a.m.

June 19 - Raise Your Voice: Take Action on Capitol Hill
Educate our leaders about the crisis of global poverty by joining fellow RWF/CARE advocates to deliver messages to your members of Congress and other influential policymakers. The confernce ends with a party at 5 p.m.

If you wish to participate in this conference as a Rainbow World Fund representative, contact Jeff Cotter at (415) 431-1485 before registering on the conference website.
https://my.care.org/care/events/2008conference/details.tcl

For more information about the conference or scholarships, please contact (877) 394-3747 or nationalconference@care.org.

Admission covers lectures, training materials and several meals including a dinner and luncheon with keynote speakers. This year Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University and David Gregory, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent are our keynote speakers. Admission also includes transportation from the conference center to and from Capitol Hill.

In addition to the great trainings, celebrity speakers - Christy Turlington Burns will present the I Am Powerful Award, and meals and that CARE is providing there are some cool optional events you may wish to attend while you are in DC to celebrate

CARE's 62nd Anniversary. These events include a Gala party and a sit down dinners for 20 at one of several participating Embassies. See the conference website for details and costs.

Rainbow World Fund is arranging a meeting and tour at Africare Headquaters, our international partner for Africa, on Friday, June 20 which you are welcome to participate in (free).

Conference Location:
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

Conference attendees are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. There are hotels at all price ranges in DC most of which are near Metro (subway) stops which can easily take you to the confernce site. Hotels.com has been a good resource in the past.

For your convenience, CARE has reserved a block of rooms at a hotel: For your convenience, CARE has reserved a block of rooms at:

Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Reservations: (800) 233-1234

Reservations can be made by calling the 800 number listed above.When calling, refer to the CARE Room Block.Conference guests are eligible for a room rate of $229 for single occupancy, $254 for double occupancy, $279 for triple occupancy and $304 for quadruple occupancy. Please contact the hotel before May 16, 2008 to take advantage of this offer.

Visit RWF's In The News page to finds several newspaper and magazine articles about RWF's Guatemalan journeys.

Passport Magazine will be featuring RWF's humanitarian aid journeys in their April 2008 edition!

2008 journey to Guatemala:

JOIN RAINBOW WORLD FUND ON A HUMANITARIAN JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 27, 2008

Visit RWF's In The News page to finds several newspaper and magazine articles about RWF's Guatemalan journeys.

Passport Magazine will be featuring RWF's humanitarian aid journeys in their April 2008 edition

JOIN RAINBOW WORLD FUND ON A HUMANITARIAN JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA
Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 27, 2008