September Gathering at Farm on Ogden for Sustainable Sharing with Guatemala!

We invite you to our fundraising and awareness-raising event. We will focus on the water crisis in Guatemala and how the work of our partners in the region of San Ildefonso de Ixtahuacan provides us with global context, perspective and inspiration. We will also look at water conservation efforts in Chicago and how the situation in Guatemala informs our efforts towards more sustainability here.

• Tour of the Farm on Ogden, a Chicago Botanic Garden/Windy City Harvest aquaponics facility and outdoor edible garden

• Refreshments by Evolina’s Tamales (vegetarian and vegan options available)

• Update by Julie Siegel about her recent trip to Guatemala. She will share the current state of the water crisis in the mountainous, Northwest Highlands of Guatemala

• Networking opportunities

DATE:            Thursday, 26 September 2019
TIME:             6:30 – 8:30 pm
PLACE:         Farm on Ogden
ADDRESS:    3555 W Ogden Avenue, Chicago
COST:            $35 includes taxes, tour, light refreshments, BYOB for alcohol, presentation and discussion.

Street parking is available. Limited parking is available in the lots at Lawndale Christian Health Center and Farm on Ogden. 

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PAYMENT OPTIONS 
Must be received by SSG by 19 September 2019.
 
Option 1: Pay via PayPal, link on our SSG Donate page: https://www.sustainablesharing.org/donate
 
Option 2: Pay via check and send to:
     Wanda Evangelista
     5142 N. Rutherford Ave.
     Chicago, IL 60656
     Attn: SSG
 
Questions: Email Julie Siegel: julie.siegel at gmail.com
 
SSG’s partners spearhead practical, community-based projects and achieve positive, long-term effects on the health, agriculture, and environment of rural indigenous Guatemalans. We share our successes and failures with established organizations, like AFOPADI, and interested individuals here in Chicago and throughout the US who share our vision and values.

Annually, SSG aims to raise $6,000 for the AFOPADI salary of the Water Council representative. At AFOPADI, Education, Health and Agricultural are all integrated into mission and programs.

Come Feast and Fundraise with Sustainable Sharing with Guatemala!

Sustainable Sharing with Guatemala (SSG) invites you to partake in a delicious, authentic, Guatemalan meal, have conversations with like-minded people, and explore how our local actions can connect us to a global cause.

DATE:            Thursday, 20 June 2019
TIME:             6:30 – 8:30 pm
PLACE:          Las Delicias Restaurant – BYOB
ADDRESS:    4010 W. Montrose Ave./Chicago, IL 60641
COST:            $35.**

**Please choose whether you will want the chicken or vegetarian plate and send an email to julie.siegel{at}gmail.com to let us know.

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PAYMENT OPTIONS 
Must be received by SSG by 13 June 2019.
 
Option 1: Pay via PayPal, link on our SSG Donate page: https://www.sustainablesharing.org/donate
 
Option 2: Pay via check and send to:
     Wanda Evangelista
     5142 N. Rutherford Ave.
     Chicago, IL 60656
     Attn: SSG
 
Questions: Email Julie Siegel (SSG President): julie.siegel{at}gmail.com
 
Water is what sustains all life. In San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan in the mountainous, Guatemalan Department of Huehuetenango, the indigenous people have unequal and insufficient access to safe water. Historically, most villagers have needed to walk miles to get water. This uses up valuable time, keeps some children out of school, affects the ability to grow crops, and adds to poor nutrition and sanitation. With the added effects of contamination from mines, fertilizers garbage and the drought/flood cycles from increasingly extreme weather, access to clean water has become the most vital issue in the villages and towns alike. SSG partners with AFOPADI, a Guatemalan non-governmental organization, to ensure that they have a representative that sits on the municipal water council. This AFOPADI representative advocates for indigenous rights to access clean water in the region.
 
Annually, SSG aims to raise $6,000 for the salary of the Water Council representative. This position is part of the Educational arm of the AFOPADI staff and that person uses their position in other AFOPADI projects. At AFOPADI, Education, Health and Agricultural are all integrated into mission and programs.
 
Following the inspiring visit in February by Veronica Giron of AFOPADI, she urged us to expand and strengthen our network in Chicago. She noted that the struggles that they face in Guatemala are many of the same issues we face in Chicago. We are connected! Let’s make a real difference together. Let’s celebrate corn (the Mayan staff of life), quench our thirst and do good!

Veronica Girón visits Chicago during SSG visit

Special Visit from SSG Guatemalan Partner - Don't miss these events!

Join SSG for one of the following opportunities
to learn firsthand from Veronica Girón, AFOPADI
Guatemala Coordinating Team Leader.

Saturday, February 9, 2019, 11 am – 3 pm
Advocates for Urban Agriculture Livestock Expo
Southside Occupational Academy
7342 S. Hoyne Ave
Chicago, IL 60636

At 1:00pm visiting SSG Guatemalan partner, Veronica Girón, will present on Composting & Chickens as part of the Spanish track.

Sponsored by Advocates for Urban Agriculture

Monday, February 11, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Using Global Permaculture Methods to Enhance Local Stewardship
Kilbourn Park
3501 N. Kilbourn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641

Informational presentation about SSG and the work of our partner group in Guatemala. Presented by Veronica Girón.

Sponsored by Friends of Kilbourn Park Greenhouse

Saturday, February 16, 2:00 – 5:00pm
SSG Special Event – Climate Resilience Panel
NeighborSpace
445 N Sacramento Blvd, Suite 204
Chicago, IL 60612

Join SSG for the unique opportunity to learn firsthand from one of our Guatemalan partners, Veronica Girón, AFOPADI Coordinating Team Leader. Veronica will share her personal field experience with Climate Resilience Permaculture practices that span borders. Other panel participants include Permaculture Institute Chicago, Citizens Greener Evanston, and Rain Ready. Bring a snack to share during the social portion.

Sponsored by NeighborSpace and Permaculture Chicago Teaching Institute

Celebrate International Women's Day with SSG

Come by and visit with SSG founder, Julie Siegel at Marie Parie Boutique in Evanston.

You’ll find a treasury of unique, hand-picked clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Spring is just around the corner, brighten up your day and your wardrobe!

The owner of Marie Parie has generously agreed to donate 10% of all sales on International Women’s Day, March 8, to SSG to fund our ongoing programs in Guatemala.

Marie Parie Boutique
508 Main St • Evanston 847.492.9094
Special shopping hours 11a until 8p

Julie will be on hand from 5 – 8p. Stop in to shop and share a glass of wine.

10% of all sales on March 8th will go to further the work of SSG in Guatemala

2017 Site-Visit

As always, my site-visit to Guatemalan partner NGOs in 2017 provided insight and joy. Prior to our arrival, each trip is always unknown in terms of which villages and projects we will visit, which events we will attend and who we will meet. So, while I evaluate how SSG funded projects are developing, I also get exposed to a cornucopia of communities, activities, and people.

In 2017, I had the good fortune to particularly experience three things:

• First, to learn more about and better understand how the issue of water scarcity is being addressed on a regional level.

• Second, to get to know the participants and to see experience, first-hand, the structure of AFOPADI’s youth leadership university.

• And third, to better understand the daily lives and long-term goals of the local facilitators who staff the health, educational and agricultural arms of AFOPADI.

Through being connected to these indigenous Mayan Mam communitiesfor over 14 years, a level of trust has developed. And now, certain realities are being slowly revealed to me. I have begun to see children growing up with dreams once unthinkable. I have begun to see women take independent actions vital to an improved level of survival for themselves, their families and the community. I have begun to see communities come to value education and organizing in face of the historical traumas they suffered – from war to genocide, racism, and exploitation. Given their daily realities, I have gratitude that I am welcomed and always treated with the utmost respect. Their dignity remains a beacon for me. As I know, in giving, we receive much more than we give. Seeing people with very little who share the little they have inspires me to give more.

~Julie Siegel

Year end gratitude and giving

In the midst of the hectic holiday season, we at SSG want to take a moment to thank all of you who gave generously at our Harvest Event.Tortillias on the stove

People pitched in to fund five sustainable stoves (at $250 each)! These will be distributed through our Guatemalan partner, AFOPADI, to families in communities with whom we work. Everyone who receives one of the highly subsidized stoves, must pay a small amount in order to have “buy in.” This leads to long-term use & change.

If you wish to donate and add to the stove count , please send a check (made out to “Sustainable Sharing with Guatemala”) to our SSG Treasurer:

Wanda Evangelista
5142 N. Rutherford Ave.
Chicago, IL 60656

You can also make your donation by Paypal:

If you cannot afford the entire amount yourself, please ask your family and friends to chip in. Every dollar goes far in the indigenous Mayan communities we serve.

Many thanks and we wish you a very happy holiday season and 2017!

Fall Harvest Gathering

Save the Date!

Fall Harvest Gathering

WHEN:
Sunday, November 13, 2016
2 pm – 4 pm

WHERE:
The Evanston home of an SSG supporter (exact location to be provided on RSVP)

QUESTIONS:
[email protected]

November is a month that highlights gratitude & team activities in both the indigenous Mayan communities we serve and in the United States.

At our gathering, the SSG Board will share updates from projects utilizing “Appropriate Technology” that are happening on-site in Guatemala. (We will also define appropriate technology!)

Light refreshments will be provided.

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE INVITE LIST.

Annual Visit

SSG founder, Julie Siegel will make her annual site visit to Guatemala in July 2018. Check back for a report and photos after her return.

Medicinal teaching garden at AFOPADI site.