Alyssa of Hiptipico Talks the Realities of Disaster Relief

I just watched a video from Alyssa at Hiptipico and it's brilliant. She talks about the realities of disaster relief efforts in Guatemala after the deadly eruption of Volcán de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) near Escuintla on June 3, 2018.

I wanted to share this video with you guys because what she says can apply to any situation where people are soliciting donations for a cause, and not just for emergencies. (It's about 11 minutes long.)

Alyssa is graceful and eloquent, as always, but I'll paraphrase in a more blunt manner.

Guatemala doesn't need your thoughts and prayers. It needs your money.

Harsh, right? But so true. Don't try to ship items from your country to Guatemala. We have bottled water. We have clothes. We have baby formula and gas masks and antiseptic and toothbrushes and all those things. The charities here in Guatemala need MONEY to buy those things from their local stores and get those things into the hands of the people who need them. They need to buy things that can't be shipped, like shovels, corrugated metal, and concrete. They need medicines that can't be imported. They need plain old cash to give to people to start new lives.

Aerial view of San Miguel Los Lotes, a small town on Highway 14. 

And that need is going to continue for many months beyond when this news story fades from the headlines. So many people lost their homes, their crops, their belongings. They have nothing. They're crammed into gymnasiums and classrooms, sleeping on blankets on the floor, lining up for food. They're sad and stressed and looking for hope.

Hope comes in the form of the volunteers who are there at those makeshift shelters dispensing donations, making soup, passing out toys to the kids to brighten their day, comforting the sick, mourning alongside the survivors.

Crying woman is comforted by firefighter captain. 

Please donate what you can. No amount is too small. Hiptipico is a great organization that will responsibly distribute donations to where it is needed most. I have the utmost trust in Alyssa and her team.

DONATE
Venmo: @hiptipico
PayPal: payment@hiptipico.com

"We call Guatemala home and are committed to doing all we can to aid in the recovery of the affected communities. We are humbled by the kindness and generosity of local Guatemalans and friends of Hiptipico worldwide. Thank you." ~~Alyssa of Hiptipico

Thank you, dear readers, for taking a few minutes to read my blog. I know my recent posts have been full of heartbreak and sadness and horrible situations. Guatemala is a strong country, full of people who are proud, hardworking, compassionate, and kind. Everyone here is coming together as never before to support the survivors of the Fuego disaster.
Click here to see a great 90-second video showing volunteers working so selflessly! 
Thank you a million times over for your support. 💜