On October 16th 2011, Guatemalan President Colon declared state of emergency for the entire country due to the continuous rains caused by Tropical Depression 12E that has caused flooding, landslides and deterioration of the road infrastructure. more...
Ordinary People Can Do Extraordinary Things
July 07, 2010
Terri McCaffrey, a nurse at the St. Cloud Hospital, was given national recognition in early July, as she was named the 2010 Spirit of Women’s Healthcare Hero. more...
Why I HELP
July 01, 2010
A long-time HELPS sponsor, Karin Larrave, shares the ways in which HELPS has influenced her life and changed her outlook on life. more...
US Office
15301 Dallas Pkwy.
Suite 200
Addison, TX 75001
(972) 386-2901
(972) 386-4294 Fax
1-800-41- HELPS
Northern US Office
PO Box 1671
St. Cloud, MN 56302
(320) 333-0992
(320) 259-4856 Fax www.helpsintlnorth.org
Guatemala Office
Calzada Atanasio Tzul 21-00 Zona 12
Complejo Empresarial El Cortijo II
Bodega 517
Guatemala, Guatemala 01012
011(502) 2428-6600
011(502) 2428-6666 Fax
Central México Office
Sor Juana Inés la Cruz Poniente 106
Municipio Rayón
Estado de México, C.P. 52360
Calling from Mexico:
(044) 55-2242-4944 Calling from U.S.
(011) 52-155-2242-4994
Southern México Office
Prolongación de Yagul 206
Col. San José de la Noria
Oaxaca de Juaérez, Oaxaca
C. P. 68120
Calling from Mexico:
(01)95-1549-5515
(01)95-1121-8302
(01)800-016-ONIL Calling from U.S.
(011)52-95-1549-5515
(011)52-195-1121-8302
Partners in Education Program
(PEP Kids)
Cheryl Weeks-Rosten
PEP Kids Director
989-631-5126
Welcome To HELPS International
HELPS International, organized in 1984, is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that partners with individuals, businesses, corporations, local and national governments to alleviate poverty in Latin America. HELPS integrated programs include: healthcare, education, community and economic development, and agricultural innovations in order to improve the quality of life for the indigenous people of Latin America. Read more about HELPS projects and check out the site links for volunteer opportunities, success stories, the needs of families in Guatemala and Mexico, videos and ways to donate.
MEDICAL
To alleviate medical problems in Guatemala's rural indigenous areas, HELPS International believes in providing US hospital standard healthcare from highly trained medical/surgical teams to the rural population. Alleviating suffering through medical care promotes a positive healthcare attitude among the rural population, and serves to lessen the burden on major medical centers in the cities.
EDUCATION
HELPS International believes that education is essential to the future of Guatemala, and has worked since the early 1980's with Mayan (indigenous) women and children in the development of literacy and education. Today, the HELPS Education Program has developed into a system of K through Sixth grade education, with scholarship assistance for those seeking secondary education. HELPS continues to make a strong commitment to longterm literacy and education.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT The cornerstone of HELPS International's development philosophy is the belief in an integrated approach with a variety of HELPS programs in order to assist communities in the developing world. HELPS recruits volunteer groups to implement such projects as the ONIL stove installations, school construction, potable water systems, and concrete floors for homes.
THE ONIL STOVE
For centuries the indigenous population, the Mayan, have cooked their meals using open flame three-stone fires on the floors of their one room homes . This traditional method of cooking is the cause of rampant medical and environmental problems throughout rural Guatemala. After an investigation of the cultural and technological factors surrounding three-stone fires, HELPS International developed the "ONIL" Stove: a durable stove that minimizes smoke and burns, and reduces wood use by 70%.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HELPS International believes economic changes are essential in order for Guatemala to have real and permanent growth; HELPS, therefore, supports economic efforts that promote opportunity and individual initiative. HELPS programs include: micro-credit loans, and the creation of marketing outlets for the products of Guatemala.
COFFEE PROGRAM Guatemala is a place of great beauty and a place that grows simply the best tasting coffee in the world. In an effort to provide economic assistance to the country, HELPS International is now offering its own private labeled Guatemalan coffee. In addition to the great taste, this coffee offers a great benefit: all the profits from the sale of HELPS coffee go to programs specifically designed to improve the lives of the Guatemalan people.
CORN PROGRAM
HELPS believes that increased yields in the cultivation of corn is key to alleviating poverty because improving corn production equals improving the economy of Guatemala. HELPS, in cooperation with its partner DISAGRO, implemented a corn program in the rural highlands that resulted in increased production and promises to bring real economic change to the region.
WATER FILTER PROGRAM
The HELPS Gravity Water Filter is a practical solution to the need for safe drinking water everyday in rural communities, and during emergency relief efforts. Safe drinking water is often very scarce, or available at great expense. The gravity water filter uses two containers: a person simply pours the water into the top container where it then filters to the lower container through a ceramic purification element, providing up to 10 gallons of safe drinking water every twenty-four hours. The initial assembly is easy and the setup time is about 15 minutes.
Helps International
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