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Quetzaltrekkers
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Quetzaltrekkers is an all-volunteer run non-profit trekking organization offering exciting and challenging excursions in the highlands of Guatemala.
We were founded in 1995 as a self-sustainable, grassroots fund-raising organization for Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC), a school for street children in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
With income from the Quetzaltrekkers EDELAC provides over 175 children with a very low fee comprehensive K-6 education, and maintains a free 24/7 dormitory for Quetzaltenango children at risk. The dormitory, Hogar Abierto, offers a safe, abuse-free environment for children that either lack families capable of providing care or have families living outside of a district in which basic education is available.
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Current Projects
Our major fund raising project at the moment is the construction of a brand new Hogar (dormitory). Land has been purchased for 140,000 Q (about $18,180) close to our school (EDELAC) and construction plans have been drawn up.
The total cost will ultimately be around $260,000, but we will be building the new Hogar in several stages and hope to begin when we have raised about $100,000. As of January 2012 we have about 55,000 Q ($7,143) in our Hogar account.
Ultimately the dormitory is planned to accommodate up to 80 children (ages 8 - 17) and will be quite an improvement over our current rented space, which only has room for 25.
The volunteer guides, from benefit events, personal funds and other donations, try to provide college scholarships for as many EDELAC graduates as possible. Costs vary depending on the individual student's career, but typically an entire year of advanced education will be less than $1,000 per student.
We also greatly appreciate dollar donations to allow us to maintain and upgrade our trekking equipment. This allows us to give as much of our trekking income as possible to EDELAC, rather than spending it on equipment.
In 2012 we would like to replace all of our sleeping bags (roughly 50) and all of our tents (roughly 10). Although we sometimes receive equipment donations from manufacturers, we still need to transport this equipment to Guatemala and pay Guatemalan import taxes (as much as 35% of the retail value of the equipment).
Please consider making whatever size donation is appropriate to your budget. It will always be spent wisely, and the kids are wildly appreciate of your support! You can designate your gift as 1) new Hogar, 2) scholarships, 3) equipment, or 4) unrestricted.
Partner Needs
If you are able to bring items to Guatemala we can save both transportation costs and import duties. Let us know well in advance when you are coming and we will provide you with precise instructions.
If you are operating in last second mode, bring sun cream (spf 30 or above), duct tape, ibuprofen, high quality headlamps (Petzl, Black Diamond, Princeton Tec), and batteries (AA and AAA).
Financial Needs
$260,000 to build a new Hogar (dormitory) on land we already own.
$1,000 per child per year for college scholarships.
Many $1,000's for new/replacement trekking equipment, every year.
Mission Statement
Quetzaltrekkers is the fund raising arm of EDELAC. Our job is to raise as much money as possible to support EDELAC's two projects, a K-6 elementary school with over 175 students and a 24/7 dormitory for 25 children at risk, ages 8 through 17.
We raise money by trekking. Tourists pay us to give them fabulous trekking experiences in the Guatemalan highlands; approximately two-thirds of the fees we collect is profit and 100% of it goes to EDELAC.
Roughly 90% of all EDELAC operating expenses are covered by the money Quetzaltrekkers raises from trekking.