Book Delivery & Volunteer Trip Update
February 1, 2001

Dear Supporter,

Greetings from Guatemala City. I hope this note finds you well. We are just finishing our first week of book deliveries. Seventeen volunteers came down to help. We rented a bus and spent the week visiting small communities and founding book programs.

Parents with dark, weathered skin and leathery hands took a day off from their work in the fields to be with their children for each book project inauguration. Small children wearing traditional multicolored blouses and shirts sang and danced to welcome us. We received many hugs and kisses. The word "gracias" was said about 500 times. Two people broke into tears right in front of me--I didn't quite know what to do--while expressing their gratitude. It was one of the richest and most touching experiences of my life.

These families are hungry for opportunities; hungry for a better life for their children; hungry to break out of the poverty which has held them down for generations. We all finished this week--exhausted for sure--but recommitted, passionately, to the work we are doing. Young boys and girls, like colorful little dolls, solemnly presented thank-you letters to each of us:

"Dear Patron," begins Reyna Elizabeth Xinico of Chipiacul School, "we thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for us and for the books you are providing, which are very necessary for our school. We know that you did this from your hearts and that you worked hard to obtain the books. We all know that helping others is an important part of each person's life and that you did this because you want us to have opportunities in the future to earn a better life. We thank you again for all the help you have given our school." (see copy of letter -above-)

The books were indeed appreciated by the students and their parents, but no one can deny who the REAL beneficiaries were. This type of service work rewards you 100-fold for every effort and every sacrifice.

We just received the following note from Stacey Walsh, one of our tour participants:

"The last decade of my life since college has been about words, and for the first time in all those years I find myself speechless. I knew coming to Guatemala would be an amazing experience, I just did not expect it to be so much more than I imagined. I am truly in awe of what you and Jeff and your team are accomplishing there. For all of us the past nine days have been a touching and exciting adventure that you made possible through your hard work and vision. I only hope the video and story can do justice to all you have done. I feel so lucky to have been included in this experience. The children's smiles went straight to my heart, but I think the words and wishes of the parents went straight to my soul. None of us can come close to understanding the sacrifices those people have made. But, I think all of us will be better people for having had a glimpse of it. It has been a life altering experience, and it is only the beginning."

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU to everyone back home who has supported us over the past year and helped to make this first week possible.

Sincerely, Joe, Jeff, Johanna, Anne, and the whole Cooperative for Education Team .