feed the dream newsletter 2011
DESCRIPTION
Feed The Dream establishes and oversees nutrition programs that provide food, vitamins, health education, hygiene and enrichment to children under 5 years of age and women of reproductive age in impoverished rural Guatemala. We work in partnership with the indigenous. Non for Profit 501(c)3TRANSCRIPT
www.FeedTheDream.org
2011 HIGHLIGHTS •Reachingoutto1400+daily
•Establishingandoverseeingourprogramin18communities
•PermanentprograminTzanjomel
•Newpreschoolnutritionalprograms
FALL 2011 NEWSLETTER
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“YOU ARE WAKING US UP” Feed the Dream'sfirstvillageinpartnershipwithBehrhorstPartnersforDevelopmentwasCambalcol.Myintroductiontothemwasfilledwithfeelingsofanticipationandgratitudewiththeparticipating15womenand20children.Ialwayslookedforwardtomyreturntoreconnect,witnesstheirdevelopmentandwatchthegrowthoftheirchildren.Iwasneverdisappointed.Onourlastvisitthere,awomangavemetheultimatecompliment.AfterasharedmealshestoodwithherhealthychildrenandthankedFeed the Dreamfor"wakingupourminds." Itwasanextraordinarymomentforallofus.
7 YEARS LATERWiththecompletionof7yearsintheGuatemalanHighlands,Feed the Dreamisexperiencingevenmoreamazingaccomplishments.Ourvillagesareabundantwithproofofhealth,progressandoptimismfortheirfuture.Aswemovetowardsustainability,amutualdepthinpersonalrelationshipsandcommitmentshasdeveloped.Theindigenousknowthattheycanrelyonus.Havingoptionsforthefirsttimehaschangedthewaytheythink.Youcanseeintheirfacesanewself-esteemandapositiveapproachtoeachday.Theirstories,highlightedinthisnewsletter,demonstratethesenewrealities.ThisonlyhappensbecauseofYOU---yourdonations,supportandbeliefinourprogram.Ijointheminsaying...
“Matiox”……“Gracias”inKaqchikel
Sandy Haggart, Founder
“Matiox”……“Gracias”
Sandy Haggart, Founder
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TZANJOMEL — A NEW BEGINNING
Formorethan3yearsFeed the Dream haswaitedpatientlytobeginournutritionprograminthisisolatedanddesperatelypoorcommunity,perchedonanarrowmountainledgeabovetheshoresofLakeAtitlán.FirstwetakeaboattoTzununábeforeclimbinginthebackofapick-uptruckthatlurchesupthemountainviaarock-strewndryriverbed.Finallywedismounttocrossariver,traipsethroughcoffeetreesandbeginasteepascentupthemountaintobegreetedby25indigenousfamilies.Threeyearsagotogetherwebuiltacorn-grindertosavethemhoursandenergyfromhavingtheircorngroundatthemountainbase.Theyhavemaintaineditwithpristinecareandpride.Finallyflatlandwaslocatedforacenter,butthenevenmoreexcitingthingsdeveloped.PartneringwithtwootherNGOs(non-governmentalorganizations),MiraclesinActionandAmigosdeSantaCruz,Feed the Dreamisintheenviouspositionofbeingpartofabigger"dream."Apermanent2-roomschoolhouseisbeingbuiltandwillattachournutritioncenter,kitchenandalatrine.Agenerouslocalagricultureexperthasvolunteeredtoteachthewomenaboutorganicgardeningwiththeinstallationofanewgardennexttothecenter.Weexpectcompletionbythebeginningof2012,butuntilthenpleaseenjoytheenthusiasminthepicturesshownbelow.DuringourMarchvisitweheldacelebration,andtherealcomplimentwasthatallthevillagemencametogreetusandpersonallythankFeed the Dreamforcaringabouttheirfamilies!
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TZANJOMEL — A NEW BEGINNING
The Seftenberg girls,showingthoughtfulnessatayoungage.Maggie,age9,andsisterAnna,age6,ofGlencoe,Il.,eachindividuallyaskedforvitaminsordonationsforFeed the Dreaminsteadofbirthdaygifts.Howunselfishisthat!Thankstoyoubothforhelpingotherchildrenlessfortunatehaveachanceatgoodhealth.
YearsbeforeAnneparticipatedinatriptoGuatemala,shemostgenerouslygavehertalentstoFeed the Dream.Each year she has transformed our golf event location—oncewithwildflowersgatheredonherbikefromvacantneighborhoodlots,anothertimewithcarvedartisanangelswithsunflowersandthisyearwithwoodentraysfilledwithminiaturevegetablesinbrightlycoloredGuatemalandishes.AnneisalwaysrememberingtheneedsofourGuatemalanchildren.HerhusbandMikeisloyalandpresentatourgolfeventsbeginningat6:30a.m.tosellrafflesorhelpwhereverneeded.
PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW—HERE
PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW—THERE
Dr.Brian,alocalpediatrician,andwifeShaniHirschhavebeenloyalsupportersofFeed the Dream,butlastholidayseasonShani,hermotherand3sisterswentaboveandbeyondtoreachouttoourGuatemalanchildren!Have you ever heard of a Bake Sale earning $2335?Thatisexactlywhathappened!Thebakedgoodsweredeliciousandbeautifullypackaged.Shani'shomewasfilledtocapacitywithfestivegoods,smellsandpositiveenergy.Itfeltjustthewaytheholidaysshouldfeel.Thankyousomuch.L to R Bernadette Fallaw, Carmel Glynn, Bridie Cavalier, Shani Hirsch, Tara Kelly
Silvia Ester Rodriguez Tineyisoneofourmostwonderfulindigenouseducators.Asshealwayshasasmileandbubbleswithenthusiasm,ourvillagewomenandchildrenrelateeasilytoher.BorninPatzún,SilviaspeaksKaqchikel(nativedialect),SpanishandislearningEnglish.Atage27withherown2youngchildren,herpassionhasalwaysbeenintheareaofdevelopmentofchildrenandmothers.Asyoumightguess,Silviaandherindigenousachievefar-reachingresults.
WhilevisitingtheStrongFamilyCenterofCruzNueva,ayoungmother,Maria Juliana,cameuptomewithherbaby.Shesmiledsweetlyandsaid,
"Becauseyoudogoodthings,I named my baby Sandy!"Icouldbarelybelieveitandwassotouched.Asyoucanseebyherpictures,sheishealthyandthriving—atrueFeed the Dreambaby!
Anne Schrauth
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DEDE REEDY • Northfield, ILLovedmyfirsttriptoGuatemala.Itwon'tbemylast!GoingwithSandymadeitaperfect"10".FirstofallseeingSandy'senthusiasm,energyanddevotiontotheMayanwomenandchildrenshe'shelpingandinreturntheirloveandrespectforherexposedmetothejoythatcomesfromcaring.Tobepartofthiswasarareprivilege.
Arrivingatthenutrition"centro"no.1,Isawbeautifulwomeninnativedresssurroundedbyspunky,healthylookingchildrenwhoteasedusandeachotherandbehavedlikethehappyhealthychildrentheywere.ThisindigenousgrouphasbeenrecipientsofFeed The Dream'snutritionprogramforseveralyears.
Visitinganothercenterthenextdayfurtherupinthemountains,wesawwomenwhowereshyandtimid.Theirchildrenwereevenmoreshyandsubdued.Theylackedthesparkleandjoywe'dseenthedaybefore.Theywerenewtotheprogram.It'sexcitingtoknowthatintimetheywillbecomemoreconfident,healtherandhappierastheybenefitfromthehelpandlovethatFeed The Dreamprovides.
IfeelblessedtohavevisitedthebeautifulMayanpeopleintheirmostextraordinarilybeautifulhomeland.
DIANE JOHNSON • Northfield, IL
It'stheappreciationofthemothersthatmostimpressedme.Theseyoungsmilingmotherswithachildontheirbackandoneortwopoliteandwell-behavedchildreninhandweresogratefulforSandyandherFeed the Dreamorganization.Howoftenweheardtherefrain,"Pleasedon'tleaveusSandy."ItwasaprivilegetowitnessfirsthandwhatadifferenceSandy,hasmadetoimprovethelivesofsomanydeservingmothers.ItwasalsoverygratifyingaswetraveledfromvillagetovillagetowitnessthehardworkingcapableindigenousthatSandyhastrained.MicaelaandSilviaarewonderfulexamplesofwomenhelpingwomenhelpthemselves.GuatemalaisabeautifulcountrywithwonderfulpeopleworththeeffortsofFeed the Dream.
OUR GUATEMALAN TRIP IMPRESSIONS KITTIE DEVERS • Winnetka, ILMypersonalexperienceduringourwonderfultriptoGuatemalawasoneofgreatpleasures,beautyandexceptionalcontentmentwithallthedelightfulpeopleweencounter,knowingandrespectingtheirlimitedcircumstances.Weallthoroughlyenjoyedwatchingthechildrenperformtheirmusicalactswiththeirwidehappysmiles,colorfuloutfitsandlaughingeyes.Suchfunandmostwelcoming!However,inthemidstofallthiscomfortwebecameoverwhelmedandheartbrokenbyonesmallboy.Notabletoshareanyofthesameenthusiasmashispeersduetohishorrifyingcondition.
Duringourvisitthischild,Edgar,remainedinadirtydarkshedallbyhimselfunabletomovewiththemostterrifyingexpression.Hiseyeswerehauntingandinthemyoucouldreadthetragedyandpainofhislife.WeweretoldlaterthatEdgarhadnumerousmedicalproblems,unabletoworkduetobirthdeficiency,bothmentalandphysical.Toaddtohismisery,hehadanopen-infectedbellybuttonwhichhasremainedexposedsincebirth12yearsago.Youcouldfeelhissufferingallthroughyourheartandsoul,especiallyafterbeingentertainedbyalltheotherchildreninteractingwithoneanother,showingoffwithgreatzest.
Edgar'smotherandfatherhadnoideathatFeed the Dreamcouldandwouldhelpthem,untilRosabroughtittotheirattention.CertainlyhelpisneededthroughoutGuatemala.TherearehundredsofstorieslikeEdgar.Theneedissogreat!SandyistheirGreatWhiteHope,theirMotherTheresa.Exceptionalineveryway!
Theysayinlifetherearethreegreatessentialsforhappiness…Somethingtodo…Somethingtolove…Andsomethingtohopefor.Ourhopeisfor“Feed the Dream”tocontinuetogrowandnourishunderSandy’sgreatleadershipsothatchildrenlikeEdgarcanhaveabetterlife,justlikeeveryotherdeservingchildintheworld.
GIL HAGGART • Glenview, IL Sandyhasbeenfortunatetohavetraveledwith35peopletoGuatemalaovertheyears.Tome,hergreatestaccomplish-mentsareprovidingabetterlifetothe1400peoplesheserveseachdayin18villagesandtheselfesteemthatradiateswhenrevisitingtheindividuallocationsinthemountains.
Onapersonallevelforher,shehasdevelopedafantastic,dedicatedboardandthreeofthosepeoplehaveGuatemalanchildren.Alsofortheluckypeoplewhohavegonewithher,shehasmadenewfriendsandgreatlyenhancedfriendshipsshe’shadthroughoutherlife.
Yes,I’mveryproudofher.Herdedicationandpassiontoacharitywouldbehardtomatch.I’mlookingforwardtomyfourthvisitinDecemberatChristmaswhenweassembleanddistributetamalebaskets.Ican’tthinkofamoreenrichingwaytoshareaholiday.
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OUR GUATEMALAN TRIP IMPRESSIONS
SCOTT BRADY • Glenview, IL
Myimpressionsofthisbeautiful,butdesperatelypoorcountry,arecenteredonhowthecombinationofeducation,simpletechnologyandcommunityactivismishelpingtheindigenouspeopleofGuatemalaimprovethehealthoftheirfamilies.Iwasamazedthattheprimefocusofthevillagewomenhadtobeonthefoodtheyweregoingtoprepareeachday.Iwaspleasedtofindthatthevillagewomenembracedthenutrition-focusededucationprovidedbytheFeed the Dreampersonnel.Thevillagemeetingplaceswevisitedwerefilledwithchatterandlaughing.Thechildren
interactedwitheachotherandenjoyedanutritiousmeal.Itwasclearfromthetestimoniesofthemothersthattheyfeltbettereducatedaboutfamilynutrition;theirchildrenwerehealthier;and,becauseofbeingabletointeractwithotherchildrenatthecenter,thechildrenwerebetterpreparedforschool.ThesmilesofthechildrenthethankfulnessofthemothersweretheproofofthesuccessoftheFeed the Dreamprogram.Ilefteachvillagesmilingandhopefulforthewomenandchildrenwemet.
BETH BRADY • Glenview, ILEveryonewhogoestoGuatemalawithSandyhasanoutstandingexperience.Inanewtwist,lastFallof2010,thegroupwascomprisedof3couples,SandyandherhusbandGil,myhusbandScottandJulieandBobMontgomery.Itwasnicetotravelwithourhusbands,addingalittletomycomfortlevelandthemenwerealsojustasengagedaswewereandmarveledatwhattheysaw.Itnowappearsthatthatwas‘thetheme’forthetripforme.Themaleaspect.
WhatwasimpressivetomewastoseethevillagemenwhowouldcometobepartofthewelcomeforSandyandallofus.ItwasagreattributetoseethattheheadmalewouldexpresshisgratefulnessandsupportforSandy’sworkbecausesheisimprovingthelivesoftheirchildren,thefamiliesandthereforethevillage.
Inthismaledominatedindigenoussocietythattypicallyhaslittlerespectforwomen,mostyoungmothersgetlittle,ifany,supportorhelpintheirhard,dailylives.Theyareactuallyquiteignorantthroughnofaultoftheirown,aboutcleanliness,nutrition,birthcontrolandthenurturingaspectofraisingtheirchildren.Theyhavelittleselfworth.
TheneedforandimportanceofSandy’seducationalmaterials,programs,vitamins,equipmentandhercontinuoushands-onpresenceandsupportisthereforevitalifthesepeopleandvillageshaveanyhopeofimprovingthemselves.Andyouseeitinactionwhenyougothere.ThereisnohelpfromthegovernmentsowiththepeopleSandyhasrunningherprogramsandtheresourcesandenlightenmentthattheysharewiththewomen,theyarebringingabouthugechangesinfamilylife,children’shealth,andwomen’sworthinthissociety.
Sandyisalsoindirectlyeducatingthementoallowthewomen‘todo’.Thankgoodnesssomeofthemarecomingonboardandlettingthesegoodthingshappen.Thefemales’self-esteem,confidence,andselfworthmultiplyathousandfoldwithSandy’sprogramsandthemen’ssupport.Theresultantrespectforthewomen,thecooperationofthemenandtheincreasedhealthinessofthevillagechildren,areallworkingtogethertocontinuethegroundswellofgoodthatispoppingup alloverthemountainsidesinthispartofGuatemala.ThankyouSandy.
JULIE & BOB MONTGOMERY • Chicago, IL
“Please,don’tforgetus.”Thiswasthepleaofayoungmominthefirst villagethatwevisitedwithFeed the DreamlastfallanditissomethingIthinkaboutoften.Herhumblewordssaidsomuchaboutprogram’simpactonherlifeandthelivesofherchildren.
Feed the Dreamhasabeautifulformulaforchanginglives:First,feedthechildren-malnutritionisadefiniterealityintheseremotevillagesinGuatemala.Wewereabletoseesuchanoticeabledifferenceinsizeandrobustnessoncethechildrenreceivedtheextrafortifiedmeal.Weevenhadmomsshowustheir“before”and“after”children!Theirgratefulnesscannotbeoverstated.
Second,teachmothershowtocookmealsthataremorenutritionalthanthetraditionofjustcornandcoffee.Everymotherwemetlovedbeingpartoftheprogramandwaseagertolearneverythingthatwouldbenefittheirfamily.Besidesnutrition,wesawhealth,legalandparentingeducation.Onemomtoldus,“Ididn’tknowIwassupposedtoplaywithmybabybutnowIdo.”
Thirdly,worktowardself-sufficiency.Thewomenweresoproudtoshowustheirmicro-gardensandtheir“modern”irrigationtechniqueusinganoldsodabottle.Justaddingtomatoestotheirdietcanmakeameaningfuldifferencetotheirnutritionandsenseofself-worth.
Thisyoungmom’swords“Please,don’tforgetus”alsochallengesmeasIamsurroundedbythedistractionsofmycomfortablelifeintheUS.IknowIdon’twanttobesomeonewhoismovedbyacauseandthenmoveson.Thankfully,Feed the Dreamisfaithfultothesewonderfullycaringmothersandwillcontinuetogivemetheopportunitytoconnectwiththem.Itooamgrateful.
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LOCAL GUATEMALAN TRAVELERSTheendofthesummerwascelebratedbyallthelocalwomenwhohaveparticipatedonatriptoGuatemalawithSandy.Itwasafuntimetoshareourenthusiamandhumorousadventures!
Top row, L to R: K. Devers, A. Schrauth, M. Rabjohns, D. McKay, A. Gallagher, C. Reedy, S. Ephraim
Middle row: S. Haggart, D. Reedy, D. Johnson, P. Frey, P. Pollina, I. Powers
Bottom: J. Montgomery, M. Geraldson, B.Brady, W. Ferguson, J.Cody, L. Curry
not pictured: J. Crawford, P. Gillis, P. Tilghman.
FACTS ABOUT GUATEMALAN HEALTH AND NUTRITION
• Lifeexpectancy:65males,74Females
• Underagefivemortality:45per1,000(compareto7intheUS;3-4inmostWesternEuropeancountries)
• Primarycausesofdeathforchildrenages1-5:respiratoryanddiarrhealdiseases
• Percentofchronicmalnutritioninindigenouschildren:70-80%
• Rankingofchronicmalnutritioninchildren:4thhighestintheworld;highestinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean
• GrowthStunting:80%inruralareas
• AverageheightofadultMayan:4’6”females,5”2”males
• Percentofminimumwageneededtocoverthebasicfoodbasket:75%
• PovertyRate:70%countrywide,higherinruralareas
Sources: UNICEF and theWorld Health Organization (WHO), 2011
7TH ANNUAL GOLF & LUNCHEON EVENT On July 18 more than 200 women attended our annual fundraiser and enthusiastically made it our most successful day ever with a net of $103,000!
Our day was tucked in between weeks of stormy weather and power outages.We are thrilled and grateful for our success during these challenging economic times. Please visit www.feedthedream.org to see pictures of some of our attendees. Now we can continue reaching out to our desperate indigenous who face worse daily challenges.
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TAMALE BASKET SENSATION!ThisholidaywillbedifferentwiththeTamaleBasketCelebrationbecauseGilandIwillpersonallybeinGuatemalatoassembleanddistributethemtoourindigenouswomenwhohavefaithfullyparticipatedinourprogramallyear!Youcanjoinusinspiritbydonatingbasketsat$50each.Feed the Dreamgiftcardscanbesenttothosepeopleinwhosehonoryouhavedonated.Theycanbeforholidaygifts,thankyous,teacherpresents,friends,specialeventsorsimplybecauseyoucareaboutsomeonewhoismuchlessfortunateandinneed.
Abasketfeedsupto12familymembersandprovidesthemwiththeingredientsforthetraditionalChristmasEvemeal:oil,15lbs.ofrice,ablockofchocolate,bread,leavestomaketamales,achicken,raisins,redgrapes,sugar,saltcoffee,tomatoesandpumpkinseeds.Itisthehighlightoftheiryear!
Our 8th Annual Event will be Monday, July 16th. 2012!
(Back) Cathy Stieber Bracket, Judy Dorr and Jean Gray and (front) Sue Emme and Diane Silca
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS• SandyHaggart,Founder,Glenview,IL• CherylAshley, LakeForest,IL• JustineCody, Winnetka,IL• JulieCrawford,Winnetka,IL• SusieEphraim, Wilmette,IL• GilHaggart,Glenview,IL• KatyD.Knoer,Kenilworth,IL• DonnaMcKay, Winneka,IL• ColeenReedy, Wilmette,IL• PattyTighman, Glenview,IL
ADVISORY BOARD• FrankB.Chauner,Northbrook,IL• HollyClark,Louisville,Ky.• WendyH.Ferguson,Winnetka,IL• Dr.WilsonH.HartzIII,Chicago,IL• SuePatterson,Antigua,Guatemala• ScottW.Petersen,Chicago,IL
Sandy Neville Haggart grew up in La Jolla, Ca. She received both her B.A. and M.A. from Northwestern University. She and her husband Gil raised their family in Glenview, Il, where they have resided for 46 years.
9 year old
With the current crisis of malnutrition and critical food shortage—WE NEED YOU NOW, MORE THAN EVER.Yes,thesearedifficulteconomictimesforeveryone,butwecanhelpinawaythatiscrucialfortheindigenousbutnotlife-changingforus.Weknowthatyouhaveachoiceamongcharities,andwewillbegratefulifyouchooseFeed the Dream.
Donations may be mailed to: FEED THE DREAM
P. O. Box 2642, Glenview, IL 60025or donate online at www.feedthedream.org
All donations are tax-deductible as we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, #30-0536205
email: [email protected]
Our mission istoestablishandoverseenutritionprogramsthatprovidefood,vitamins,healtheducation,hygieneandenrichmenttochildrenunder5yearsofageandwomenofreproductiveageinimpoverishedruralGuatemala.Weworkinpartnershipwiththeindigenous.
YOUR THOUGHTFUL GENEROSITYIS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
Thereareseveralwaystogive:monetarydonations,stocksorin-kindcontributions.
$10,000 establishes a nutrition program center
$5,000establishes and maintains 7 village gardens
for one year
$2,500 Six month’s salary forourindigenousnutritionistandeducator
$1,000 provides 111 women withfolicacidandhealthcare
$500 Offersonepregnantwoman a healthy pregnancy
with food and vitamins
$130 Providesa vented, enclosed stove topreventopen-fireburnsandrespiratoryillness
ortwoChristmasTamaleBaskets
$250 Feeds one child with food and vitamins foroneyear
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