Though our work in Guatemala began almost 7 years ago, today, November 2nd, 2019, we are celebrating two years of a concentrated approach to create opportunities for sustainable outcomes in Guatemala. 

 

Over the last 2 years, we have put on our blinders each and every day to focus on one thing: impact. We’ve focused less on width, more on depth. More on individual progress and less on the overwhelming amount of poverty. There is a time for it all, but at the core of who we are at Project Apoyo, we believe in the power of connecting two people to develop a relationship that starts with generosity. We believe in the challenge given to us in Luke 12:48, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. We believe in bridging the giving gap alongside you, our supporters, to give the same resources we have been given to create opportunity for sustainable change. We believe these things cannot be rushed or taken lightly. Before we continue to look forward, let’s take a look back at the last two amazing years.

 

 

Our Numbers

• – 107 students received education sponsorships (from kindergarten to university)
• – 21 students received nutrition sponsorships
• – 3 university graduates
• – 34 high school graduates 
• – 5,280 snacks served
• – 5,280 lunches served
• – 1,200 breakfasts served (Our Feeding Program at La Escuela Manzanillo)
• – 1 micro-business launched and thriving (Panaderia Apoyo)
• – 3 jobs created
• – 12 consistent clients at Panaderia Apoyo (6 schools, 3 NGOs, 3 Restaurants/Cafes)
• – 1 amazing foundation partner (The Education for the Children Foundation)
• – 1 new Teacher sponsorship program
• – 4 Sponsorship opportunities
• – 3 school partners (The School of Hope, La Escuela Chicamen & La Escuela Manzanillo)
• – 2 new BIG ideas (stay tuned!)

 

 

 

Our impact: 

Immeasurably more. 

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Ephesians was Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus that he wrote from his Roman prison cell. He wanted to remind them of the Gospel he proclaimed and encourage them to persevere. Leading up to verse 20, two things stuck out to me in verses 14-19:

1. We become rooted and grounded in love so that we are able to comprehend its breadth and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ which passes all knowledge.
2. We are filled with the fullness of God.

Paul was confident in the ability of God and he challenged others to be. It is so important that we learn to look at things according to God’s ability. The fact that Paul still felt this way while imprisoned challenges me to my core and expresses urgency to recognize His ability, in the midst of whatever we go through.

 

 

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We have seen and experienced first-hand the ability of God in what He as done in Project Apoyo through His power in you, our Apoyo family. We’ve seen it through our support family made up of our school partner The Education for the Children Foundation. And, we’ve seen it through our friends, family and strangers from all over!

Thank you for walking with us through the years of “immeasurably more”. When we remind ourselves of the ability of God, we realize that we are JUST getting started. Happy Birthday to Project Apoyo! We could not have made it without you so we are celebrating YOU for our birthday! We are expectant of immeasurably more in 2020!

 

Ready to join our family on this journey for more? We saved you a seat. 

 

 

 

Shelby Ausband
Co-Founder

 

 

*Photos feature students we sponsor at The School of Hope.