12. Guatemala the beautiful.

Guatemala is truly a beautiful country and a great place for adventure travel.
Trek through rain forests, climb active volcanoes, explore Maya ruins, dive into a Spanish colonial past in Antigua Guatemala, or just enjoy the beautiful sights of colorful Indian markets, mountain lakes or tropical rivers.
Every foreigner I met who had spent some time in this country wants to come back.

Check out the BAMBA website for a start, you´ll love it!

http://www.bambaexperience.com/

It is a pity there are still so many children in Guatemala who would have absolutely no chance of getting an education and progress in life without the help of the many Rotary clubs, NGO´s and religious organizations who come to this country to dedicate their time and resources to the poor.
Every day, at the Guatemalan airport, tens of tourists arrive, bags bulging with medication, clothing and all sorts of goods. Medical doctors travel to remote villages to do surgery, give dental care or train young mothers how to care for their babies.

Nothing makes you feel better than knowing you have made a difference, if only in the life of one underprivileged child.

BUY A MILE FOR THE CHILDREN OF AK´TENAMIT AND TREAT YOURSELF TO A DAY OF HAPPINESS!! 1. Buy miles: Buy one or more miles at $10.00 per mile. There are 3,500 miles to be sold. 2. Sponsor a local event when I am in your area (a ride, a barbecue) for a $200.00 minimum. 3. Become a Student Sponsor at Ak´Tenamit for $30.00 (one month) or $360.00 per year 4. Become a Health Care Partner for $10.00 or $120.00 per year. Donating is easy, just go to http://guatfund.org/ , tick the box ¨Trans America ride¨and authorize a charge to your credit card. For more information, see Chapter 5 of this Blog. JOIN THE RIDE FOR AK TENAMIT. If you would like to join me for a day or a week or if you would like to organize a local ride or rendez vous somewhere along my route, contact me!! LIFE IS GREAT, ENJOY THE RIDE! JEAN VAYSSIER THE RIDING DUTCHMAN transamerica.tenamit@gmail.com

12. Ak´Tenamit Class of 2009

Ak´Tenamit publishes a news letter about the project, which is well worth reading.
http://aktenamit.org/newsletter.pdf

Congratulations Graduates
They did it with your help!
These happy faces are the Class of 2009 of the Tenamit Tom Moran Education Center.
They received a unique, vocational education
that is appropriate for their rural environment, and will grow into teachers, entrepreneurs, social workers, community leaders and other agents of positive change.
The school combines classroom time with work experience at organic farms, restaurants, shops and internships with local organizations
Most are the first in their families to complete high school.

Please sponsor a student and transform a young life.

If you want to sponsor a child, become a health Care partner or simply want to buy one of the 3500 miles of the ride , just go to http://guatfund.org/ , tick the box ¨Trans America ride¨and authorize a charge to your credit card.
For more information, see Chapter 5 of this Blog.

LIFE IS GREAT, ENJOY THE RIDE!
JEAN VAYSSIER
THE RIDING DUTCHMAN

transamerica.tenamit@gmail.com

11. Donations coming in!

Mary Ellen of the GUATEMALA TOMORROW FUND informed me they promoted the Trans America ride at the meeting of the Incoming Presidents of Rotary who met last weekend in Orlando. There was a lot of interest and enthusiasm for the ride, and, best of all, HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF DONATIONS WERE RECEIVED AND MORE ARE EXPECTED.
We also hear from friends in Chicago and Milwaukee that fund raising events are being organized there. This is going to be GREAT!
THANK YOU , ROTARY!!

I want to make a special mention of Chrismar from Switzerland who came to Guatemala, heard about the Trans America ride and spontaneously gave a generous donation to the cause.
She also offered to promote the ride in Switzerland, so we expect more donations to come in from Europe.
THANK YOU, CHRISMAR!!

DONATE FOR THE CHILDREN OF AK´TENAMIT!
If you want to sponsor a child, become a health Care partner or simply want to buy one of the 3500 miles of the ride , just go to http://guatfund.org/ , tick the box ¨Trans America ride¨and authorize a charge to your credit card.
For more information, see Chapter 5 of this Blog.

LIFE IS GREAT, ENJOY THE RIDE!
JEAN VAYSSIER
THE RIDING DUTCHMAN

transamerica.tenamit@gmail.com