Earlier this year a powerful volcano erupted in Guatemala, destroying many homes and villages. CoFiA quickly voted to send a financial donation to those affected, and a large number of Guatemalans in the Palisades Park area added to the gift. Together we decided to transfer the funds to the sister of one of the long-time members of CoFiA–she lives near the area that was hit. She carefully put the money in her personal bank account and sent us frequent updates on what was happening with the people in the local villages.
Together we decided to hold off on distributing the money until the needs of the people became clear. We recently received word that the immediate needs had been met, and that it would be more helpful to ask our friend to distribute the money when there were longer-term issues that needed to be addressed.
This month–November 11, 2018–at the suggestion of CoFiA and the local Guatemalan contributors, our friend turned the funds over to Caritas Arquidiocesana, a well-respected organization that was already collecting money on behalf of the affected persons.
Just as we were putting together this post, on November 19, the volcano is erupting again! See international news sources for more information.