Sunday, September 27th
Today I am drifting away from our normal travel related topics to shed some light on a difficult subject.
Most of my friends as well as our family have all been touched by autism, mental illness, blindness, hearing loss or deafness, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, MS, Cerebral Palsy, and/or a variety of other life limiting or challenging handicaps.
When the symptoms start or a diagnosis given, especially if it involves your child, grandchild or someone else dear to you, panic can set in, as well as a need to do everything possible to find a solution, get help, find a cure.
Even here in this country, where we have access to top-notch medical professionals, it can be a huge challenge to get answers and the help we need to ensure that those we love get proper care and that they have an opportunity to not only survive, but to thrive.
Can you imagine the hopeless feeling if you lived in a third world country with no help available?
Heart breaking for sure, but children with handicaps or mental challenges are often simply ignored, forgotten, hidden or locked away – not due to lack of love and caring, but because there are no options available for them!
We have written many times about our beloved Guatemala and why this country and her people are so precious to us. We strongly believe that education can be a step out of poverty and a means to self-reliance, self-esteem and a brighter future for generations to come.
Our family was involved in building a school in Chuaquenum through Miracles in Action, and have recently banded with other friends to help fund a new school almost completed in Moran through the Doppenbergs. We believe in these wonderful people and stand behind them and the great work they are doing.
Today a wonderful opportunity has been presented to us to help the children of Guatemala who are challenged with autism, are blind, deaf, in a wheelchair or have other special needs.
Rita Doppenberg, and her husband, Geoff, have already raised 1/3 of the needed funds ($46,000 total) to build a school for special needs children in Jutiapa. The local Director of Education has qualified teachers available if the building is provided.
Please take a moment and click here to read about the school being proposed to help those so in need.
I hope you will join us in supporting this rare opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those special children who deserve a chance.
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful that we have access to top-rated medical and education facilities in this country. I’m also grateful to my dear friends and followers who will take a moment to read this, contemplate how they can help, and will make a donation. Every amount helps and is appreciated. I also understand that there are some who are not in a position to give financially, so may I humbly ask that you share this post with others who may be able to help make this school a reality. THANK YOU!
A Note From Abroad 
A great thing to do! I think in many ways building schools is a way to eternally give back to a community and to people.
LikeLike
Thank you. We certainly feel the same way. It is one donation that keeps on giving and can touch the lives of so many.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! Well done! 🙂
LikeLike
💕
LikeLike
And hugs back at you 🙂
LikeLike
Awesome! I know of a special needs school in Cusco, Peru who asks for sponsors in order to help fund students to be able to attend the school because the parents are otherwise too poor to be able to send their child to the school. Hopefully, this school in Guatemala will do the same. Also, thanks for finding and reading my blog. Please encourage others to do their due diligence and be informed about autism instead of joining the endless speculation and ignorance that is out on the Internet.
LikeLike
The children in Cusco, Peru are fortunate to have this school and a program in place to help them. I hope we can soon celebrate this being available in Guatemala as well.
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting my blog recently. I want to thank you for this post. Through my volunteer work with kids I’ve worked with autistic children as well as other mentally ill kids. You bring to light an important and sad fact. In the US these children, and their families, receive a great deal of support and it is still a tremendous challenge. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have disabilities in countries where they are simply unaccepted. I agree that education is way to set up in any world for anyone and applaud what you have been involved with.
LikeLike
Rich, thank you for the volunteer work you are doing to help those in need. I am hopeful that one person at a time, one step at a time, one day at a time, we can make a difference.
LikeLike
Tim and Joanne, I wanted to thank you for appreciating the wonderful cat video. I always like to find out more about the kind people who do ‘likes’ etc, not out of ‘what’s in it for me’, but the joy of genuine curiosity and connection. To this end, having browsed through your blog and its inspiring content, I am very happy to sign up to it. I think that gratitude is indeed so important, isn’t it. Our health, our countries, the services that are available to us. I believe that in the very act of gratitude, we send light out into the world. I look forward to reading more of your adventures!
LikeLike
Robyn, thank you for your kind remarks and for joining us. Gratitude is the cornerstone of my day. It is lovely to connect with another kindred soul. Welcome!
LikeLike
Thanks for taking time to view Elder Reinstein’s blog. Best wishes on your worldly travels
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading my blog – seems like you are on a wonderful adventure and are doing really wonderful things. I have been extremely lucky with my health and opportunities and your work is inspiring. I look forward to finding out more.
LikeLike
We are enjoying our freedom now that we are retired. Very blessed!
LikeLike