Program Newsletters

A special and productive journey

In the month of August, I had the opportunity to travel to the United States thanks to an invitation and support from the Latin American Concerns Committee of Pacific Yearly Meeting to participate in their Annual Session. As you may know, the scholarship program is under the care of two monthly meetings (Guatemala and Redwood Forest) that are members of Pacific Yearly Meeting. The entire journey was a wonderful experience. I had the opportunity to meet with many of our faithful donors. I was also able explain to many new friends our work, challenges and needs. There were many outpourings of care, friendship and support that I received during my three week journey. I would love to share all that happened in the Update but will need to limit my experiences to some of the most memorable. During my stay in California, I made presentations to four Quaker meetings: Strawberry Creek (Berkeley), San Francisco, Sacramento and Redwood Forest (Santa Rosa). A member of Guatemala Meeting now living in San Francisco, Margaret Bean, hosted a dinner reception in her home and invited friends and neighbors. The largest event was held at Friends House, a Quaker retirement community, in Santa Rosa. In the past Redwood Forest Meeting has held an "omelet breakfast", in order to raise funds to sponsor 1 or 2 students. This year Redwood Forest and Friends House worked together on a Simple Supper and received more that $2000 in donations.

This was enough to sponsor a medical student for an entire year with the remainder going to the general fund. At Pacific Yearly Meeting, I spoke in a plenary session and conducted an Interest Group on behalf of the scholarship program. At all of these events, Guatemalan crafts were sold to benefit the program. Jane Snyder (clerk, FWCC Section of the Americas) and her husband Joe have been long time donors to Progresa and regular participants in The Teaching English Experiences. On their way home from a conference in San Diego they picked me up in Santa Rosa and took me on an unforgetable, picturesque ride through giant redwoods to the dramatic Oregon coast. Crater Lake left the most significant impression on me as I was reminded of the beauty of our natural world and the greatness of God. We then visited Eugene, Oregon and met in the home of Tom (clerk of NorthWest YM) and Vickie Stave. Members of Eugene Friends Church (NWYM) and Eugene Monthly Meeting (NPYM) were in attendance for refreshments and to learn about the program. We then traveled to Portland where events were arranged at Reedwood Friends Church (NWYM) and Multnomah Friends Meeting (NPYM).

In total, there were 10 events in two states which included three yearly meetings. Through the presentations and the sale of Guatemalan textiles, there was a much needed boost to the scholarship program finances. It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm for the scholarship program expressed by those in attendance. In summary, I believe this was a wonderful experience in which I learned many things. I want to express my profound appreciation to all who were involved in my visit: those who offered hospitality, arranged or attended events, purchased textiles and contributed in what ever way. We are only three employees at Progresa and Guatemala Monthly Meeting is a small. Thanks to the efforts of many, I returned home encouraged and rejuvenated to continue the work and do my best for the program. Thanks again to all those who made my visit truly special and successful.

 Sincerely,

Miguel Angel Costop

Please consider making a donation to the Scholarship Program

Donations are made to: Redwood Forest Friends Meeting

Attn: Guatemala Scholarship Loan Program

P.O. BOX 1831

Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Contact: Harriet Lewis at hlewis@sonic.net or + (707) 526.1066

All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.