JULY UPDATE Teaching COVID Prevention in SC

As the COVID-19 virus spreads through the villages on Lake Atitlán, the Amigos team is launching a new house to house COVID education campaign across the Santa Cruz communities to educate community members about the virus and how to prevent it. Most village members still do not understand COVID basics and how to protect their families and community. Our goal is to make sure that everyone has the correct information, and does not become complacent after four months of the ongoing pandemic. Our team is using posters and videos to explain how to properly wear a face mask, wash hands, and practice social distancing, as well as what to do if one believes they have become infected.

Building Resiliency & Education through At-Home Gardens The Amigos Early Education Team is staying hard at work to keep Reading Program participants engaged during this long school shutdown. First with home deliveries of rotating books and tablets, and now with home gardens. They are delivering seeds and recycled materials to help children get started with their gardens, but the rest depends on them. And we are astounded by the results! The children and their families love the opportunity to get their hands dirty and learn to grow their own food, something especially needed right now.

Women Entrepreneurs Thriving During COVID Despite the extreme economic shutdown experienced by most sectors across Santa Cruz, we are delighted to see many of the women-owned businesses that Amigos supports thriving during this time. Mushroom cultivation is one of those businesses. Amigos is supporting the businesses with seeds which the women turn into mushrooms and much needed income for their families. Further, with many men out of work, we are seeing an increased respect for the women's entrepreneurship by men, and pride among the women for generating income for the family when men no longer have work. Pictured to the right, Tomasa holds mycelia and other materials she will use to incubate her next crop of oyster mushrooms.

Education Must Continue! Meet Martha & Eva, University Scholarship Students from Jaibalito Despite the current COVID closures and shifts in activities for us here at Amigos, we are proud that the majority of our university scholarship students continue to advance in their studies through distance learning! Today we introduce you to Martha and Eva, two of our 15 university students. Both come from the small Santa Cruz community of Jaibalito and represent some of the very first from their village to study at university. They are both in their first year, studying social work so that they can learn to help improve the conditions in their community. And a special thank you to Amigos de Jaibalito for generously supporting the scholarships for students from Jaibalito.

We are grateful for your generous donations made over the past four months, which have allowed our COVID-19 emergency support programs to be able to serve the needs of the people of Santa Cruz during this difficult time. Thank you.

amigosdesantacruz.org info@amigosdensantacruz.org

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