Our families are at the core of everything we do at Project Somos. It’s no surprise that our number one priority is to ensure we have funding to cover their basic needs, including food, clothing, medical, propane, etc. — approximately $500/month per family. Our Sponsor-a-Home campaign addresses this need. The funds donated to this campaign are pooled to support each shared family household.

This pillar also includes counselling and therapy for the mamas and children, a vital component of the Project. A local Guatemalan therapist and psychologist work with our mamas and children to overcome the trauma they have endured prior to moving to Somos.

Project Somos prioritizes education for children through:
a) the continuation and growth of our successful preschool program
b) our on-site primary school through distance education
c) afternoon programming, tutoring, and special support for children with learning challenges
d) our baby program to expose babies to reading, playing, singing, and important floor time

Capacity Building for the mamas:
As indigenous women, our mamas have endured a life of hardship, indifference and discrimination. Taught by an expert in each field, our workshops raise their self-esteem, build their capacity and empower them. Types of workshops include vocational skills – handicrafts, hospitality, baking, parenting, child safety, family planning, personal finances, literacy, nutrition, cooking, Food-safe, organic gardening and animal husbandry

We have a multi-year plan for producing more organically-grown products to help provide food security and increased revenue for the Village. An agronomist business manager is developing the land’s agricultural production and revenue stream, and expanding capacity building skills for the mamas through organic farming and food techniques and creation of value-added products. This development will also lower monthly food costs.

The Somos “felties” are our feature craft item. Needle and wet felting products have multiple purposes: generating revenue for Project Somos; offering a therapeutic and creative outlet for the mamas; developing vocational skills, including staffing a craft booth at local fairs.

We are delighted to share that our major capital projects for 2017 are fully funded and this pillar is not a priority area.

Medical Clinic and Neighbourhood House -- Construction Completed

The Clinic will host medical and dental brigades to offer quality medical care to our resident families and the neighbouring rural community. The building will also have an Internet Cafe for the local village and be a space for educational outreach to this same population.

Family Home #4 -- Currently under construction

Looking Ahead…
For the next two to three years, we will be focused on establishing our programs and serving up to 10 families by the end of 2018. Future capital projects include two classrooms, a washroom facility for our Learning Campus, and Family Homes #5, 6 and 7.

Undesignated funds address a broad range of needs, including future needs which may not be anticipated at this time.

The flexibility of general funds allows Project Somos to direct them to where they are most needed.

These funds are always used responsibly to continue the growth and ongoing operation of the Village.