SPECIAL REPORT - FROM DAVID O'CONNOR |
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Dear Friends,
I just returned from Guatemala a few weeks ago, where I had the privilege of supporting Luminarias - empowering Indigenous girls through education, housing, and leadership development. While the country is breathtaking in its beauty and culture, it also carries the heavy legacy of a 36-year civil war that left deep scars—especially among the Indigenous Maya people. Despite its scale, this war remains largely overlooked and forgotten outside of Guatemala.
From 1960 to 1996, Guatemala’s civil war claimed over 200,000 lives, with more than 80% of the victims being Indigenous. What began as a conflict between the military and leftist guerrillas quickly turned into a campaign of terror against rural Maya communities as the Guatemalan army launched scorched-earth operations that decimated entire villages. Women were particularly affected—facing forced displacement, sexual violence, and the loss of their families. The trauma remains, yet so does an extraordinary resilience.
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In rural communities like Santo Domingo Xenacoj, over 80% of families live in extreme poverty. |
I shared meals with several Indigenous Mayan families—descendants of survivors—who welcomed me into their homes with warmth, strength, and grace. Their stories and hospitality made the past feel vividly present—and reminded me why the mission I traveled to support is not only meaningful, but urgent. The sacrifices they make in the midst of their humble circumstances to allow their GT (Gifted & Talented) girls dream of an education is very moving. Click here for a short video about Brenda and her family!
Luminarias provides safe housing, full educational scholarships, and mentorship for adolescent Indigenous girls—many of whom come from rural areas with limited access to opportunity. The organization believes that investing in young women is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change. These girls are not only breaking cycles of poverty; they are becoming leaders and changemakers in their own communities. |
Most girls in rural areas grow up speaking Kaqchikel Mayan and often leave school by first grade. |
If this story moved you as it has moved me, I invite you to like and share our latest posts on Facebook—each click, 'share', or 'like' helps raise awareness. www.facebook.com/luminariasproject
And, don't forget to visit our website, where we have quality content highlighting the work of our team in Guatemala. Every voice, every share, every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for being part of the light!
David O'Connor, CFRE |
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