We travel to Guatemala 4 times each year and every trip we take approx 150lbs of donated items which we personally distribute to people in need in many different towns/villages. The items we take are shoes, clothing, small toys and various other items like backpacks, school supplies, and etc. Nearly everything we take was previously worn or used. We also take medical and veterinary supplies and distribute them to small clinics in various villages.
There is some concern that by giving clothing to the Mayan people we are destroying their weaving culture. We would feel silly giving clothing to the ladies of highland villages who weave their own clothing, so we don't do it, but the boys and men need clothing, and they all need shoes! Realize that a majority of the Guatemalan people do not wear traditional dress.
If you (or your group or organization) would like to make a donation please send to:
Happy Mango - Donations
PO Box 1594
1039 5th St
Lyons, Colorado 80540
If you would like a receipt for your donation please include a paper which includes your name, address, list of all items and their value.
The image above shows 3 members of a family from San Cristobal Acasaguastlan modeling their new clothes. The image below is their home. After visiting with this family we left them with clothes, shoes and a box of Milk Bones for their (unusually healthy) dog. The father was too shy to get in the picture, but he was so grateful for the pair of black work boots we gave him that he insisted we wait while he picked us a large bag of limes from a tree across the road from his house.
