Featured Student:
Manuel Guarchaj Ixmata

Manuel is 22 and the oldest of five siblings in San Miguelito, Ixtahuacán , Santa Catarina, Sololá. Manuel moved to the city to attend law school full time. He works odd jobs to pay rent and food while in school. His parents earn $45 per month by growing and selling coffee. Manuel is studying law at the University Mariano Gálvez. He is only the second person in his community to have ever graduated from high school and the first in his family to study past primary school. Manuel would like to represent his K'iche'-speaking community in legal issues, as legal representation is almost non-existent for K'iche' speakers. If you would like to support students like Manuel, even $5 will help, click here!

LiftnGlow Partners with RWI for its Matching Charitable Drive!

LiftnGlow, a skin-care clinic in California, has chosen to feature Roots and Wings International as its charity of choice for its dollar for dollar matching charity drive.

LiftnGlow's recognition of the importance of education in Guatemala has inspired the company to choose to raise funds for RWI. The company will be matching every dollar that is donated, up to $1000, until December 31, 2009.

Just earlier this year, LiftnGlow participated in a similar charity event to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank, raising $2900.50!

You, too, can participate. Just log onto LiftnGlow and follow the link to make a donation, or donate directly online at Roots and Wings International!

$120,000 Google Advertising Grant Received!

Google has provided RWI with a $120,000 grant. Google Grants is a donation program where select charitable organizations are awarded free AdWords advertising. According to Google, "We support organizations sharing our philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.". RWI is fortunate to have a growing pool of benefactors!

Volunteer Appreciation: Riya Aarini

Riya Aarini, Director of Communications for RWI, is the focus of this month's featured volunteer. She is a devoted writer for RWI. Her accomplishments via RWI include writing the monthly newsletters and the annual report (due out in January 2010). Riya believes that the key to success is an open door to education. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing and music.

December 2009

Watch our inspirational, heart touching "Happy" video...click here.

In less than two minutes, RWI’s emotionally moving video "Happy" video...“Happy” will transport you to a world where beaming smiles and hard work are the cornerstones of daily life. Feel the glee experienced by Guatemalan children frolicking—captured as the video camera rolls seemingly unnoticed.

RWI held a competition for anyone with a FaceBook account who could recruit the highest number of fans for RWI. The winner is Kevin Espirito, RWI Board Member, who recruited 55 new fans! He will receive a great bag of BuyWell Coffee! Great job to Kevin, and we hope to continue building our fan base through the world’s number one social networking site FaceBook!

Kevin has gone to great lengths to support RWI (especially last year running his marathon in Portland to raise funds for RWI)! You can catch Kevin in his YouTube video.

Follow Us