Friends of San Lucas

Thousands of families in Guatemala depend on your donations for access to healthcare, housing, and education.

Friends of San Lucas supports development in San Lucas Tolimán and the surrounding communities in Guatemala. We providing funding and logistical support for a Guatemalan-led organization: the San Lucas Mission. The Mission runs seven programs, including:

• Education: The Mission School provides quality, Montessori-style instruction for more than 600 students. All students attend the school tuition-free.
• Coffee: Café Juan Ana supports small growers and compensates them at above-market rates. This Direct Trade Program supports families and strengthens communities by providing a dependable income for their best coffee.
• Construction: Each year the Mission builds 80+ houses and 250+ fuel-efficient stoves for families with inadequate housing. These homes impact families for generations.
• Charity: This program provides food and financial assistance for those identified as having the greatest need, including the elderly, disabled, and widows. 
• Women’s Center: This program promotes women’s advancement through classes and workshops. At the Women's Center, participants have a place to sell crafts and earn their own income. It also provides a safe space for women to gather and find community.
• Healthcare: The Mission Hospital and Health Promoter Program serves more than 20,000 people per year on a pay-what-you can basis.
• Visitors: Roughly 1,000 people visit the San Lucas Mission each year to learn, build relationships, and experience Guatemalan culture. 

These programs touch the lives of 25,000 Guatemalans each year. More than 80% of the Mission's funding comes from contributions from donors like you. This work is made possible by more than 150 employees in Guatemala, working tirelessly for the common good.

This year, all donation for Give to the Max Day, will be directed towards the Education Program. About 90% of students at the Mission School are Mayan (indigenous)—a population historically denied access to education in San Lucas. The Mission School’s innovative and rigorous education opens doors of opportunity for populations that have faced barriers to education for generations. 

We are especially grateful for contributions to our "School Scholarship Fund," which makes it possible for the Mission to offer tuition-free education to more than 600 students each year. Gifts to the "School Scholarship Fund" buy books, pay teacher salaries, and provide hands-on learning materials. To support the "School Scholarship Fund," you can make an annual gift of $250 or a monthly recurring donation of $21.

On behalf of the people of San Lucas Tolimán, thank you for your life-changing generosity.