Landslide Relief 

Rebuilding San Marcos La Laguna

A landslide struck San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala on October 6th, 2020, killing 4 people and injuring 10. 248 families in the local Mayan community evacuated their homes, and 14 houses were completely destroyed. With a quick outpouring of support during Phase I of our fundraising efforts, we raised over $15,000 to address the immediate aid and relief needs for the 248 affected families.

We are now in PHASE II of our landslide relief efforts. We need YOUR SUPPORT to help us rebuild a minimum of three houses on safe land for three families.

We project the construction of each house to cost around $5,000. Each house will include two rooms, a kitchen, and a composting toilet. Design and building materials will be decided in a participatory process with each family. The total cost of our rebuild project will cost a minimum of $15,000.

To date, we have dedicated $5,000 of the donated funds to the immediate aid and relief for the 248 displaced families; including medical services, food, clothing and blankets, temporary lodging, as well as care packages as they left the shelters. With $10,000 remaining, we need $7,500 to complete the rebuilding of three houses. Any remaining funds will be directed toward the ongoing support from our relief partners on the ground in San Marcos.

MEET THE FAMILIES

Justiniano Mendoza Sancoy and his family

Together, we can rebuild the community of San Marcos La Laguna. Your generous donation will make a life-changing impact on the families and community affected by the landslide. Large or small, your generous contribution will be put to good work.

YOUR IMPACT TO DATE

To date, generous support from our community helped us provide immediate aid and relief for the 248 affected families including:

• Hot meals on the first two days of the emergency for 400 people, including the affected families and the rescue team

• 150 mattresses, dozens of comforters, blankets, pillows, and warm clothes for the displaced families

• Emergency food supplies for the shelter kitchen, including eggs, over 400 pounds of fresh vegetables, and 1500 pounds of dry goods (corn, beans, rice, oats, oil, and more)

• 22 beds for the shelters and displaced families

• Stoves for the shelter kitchen to feed 500-600 people three times a day

• 200 medical kits to the local hospital, Puesto de Salud, to protect community members in emergency situations and help to address the health costs of displacement

• Hygiene products for the shelters and displaced families, including shampoo, soap, disinfectant, cups/plates/spoons, and other items

• Care packages (as they left the shelters)

Click here to view our previous GoFundMe campaign that helped raise funds for the immediate needs of the San Marcos Relief efforts.