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Clara Fantasia Orphanage

Clara Fantasia is an orphange in Guatemala that was opened in 2007 by a young college student from Guatemala named, Guillermo. Guillermo was working at an orphanage to help pay his way through college, and witnessed corruption and abuse, which is rampant in the Guatemalan adoption system. Human trafficking, embezzlement, and neglect are common practices. Orphanges are out to make a profit by selling the children to adopters or into horrible situations. When he confronted the orphanage officials with the abuses he had observed he was fired. So through a series of "coincidences" he was able to open his own orphanage which accomadates 20 children. Many of the children have been abandoned and one of his priorities is to reunite children with their families through counseling and education. He provides a loving environment and the children, some of whom have been through terrible ordeals thrive in the nurturing environment. With the help of volunteers from BYU he has been implementing a counseling program to help the children work through some of their issues that have arisen from neglect and abandonment. He runs the orphanage like a family, holding family prayers, playing, educating, and providing stability. His umber one goal is helping the children reunite with their families, by helping the parents learn how to be good parents and help them find stability in their lives so they can properly care for their own children. He is also fighting hard to change and reform the system and hopes his orphanage will be a model for change. Our goal is to help provide money for the day to day cost of running the house and to help provide the basic needs of the children.
Following are a few things Guillermo has written about the orphanage:
"Mayeley Maria Perez is a 6 year old Guatemalan. She likes to study, memorize. and loves doing puzzles. She was abandoned in the street by her family, who told her to forget about them. She is now trying to forget about them."
"Last month Clara Fatasia was moved into a beautiful home that Guillermo and the children are enjoying. The orphanage has seven children and the goal is to eventually accomodate for more children and fortify their families. However, in order to be able to accomodate for twenty children and eventually return them to their families, we need a fund of $2,200 a month."
"Mayerly and her 9 year old sister Scarleth, were abandoned by her parents. Her sister cared for her until they arrived at the orphanage. She came without any documentation of her birth."
"Anita (5) was abandoned and uncared for by parents who failed to legally document her birth. When Anita arrived, she was shy and would not trust anyone, however, she has made great progress. Now, she loves to play, have piggy back rides and is very outgoing."
"After two months of being in the Homeward Bound, 4-year old Marcos is now reunited with his mother. He shows hope for a better life," (other updates say he and his mother are doing really well, she has made a lot of progress, and is able to provide him with love, stability, and his basic needs. He is very happy).
"Giovanni (10 years) and his little sister Anita (4 years) have progressed by leaps and bounds over the past six months. When they arrived at Clara Fantasia, Giovanni suffered from extreme emotional seizures and Anita refused to talk to anyone. She was particularly afraid of males. After being in the loving environment for several months, Giovanni’s seizure attacks have almost completely disappeared and Anita has blossomed into a happy, affectionate little girl. Guillermo has been providing family therapy to the children’s mother for quite a while, who is also meeting with the sister missionaries. Because of the progress the mother and children have made, last week the children were reunited with their mother."

Marta Alicia Panameno

Entrepreneur of The Bank HELP Paraiso
established by some funds from One Heart Action Group
added to those from donors to HELP International
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)

Business: Vegetable Vendor
Loan Amount: $200 (US)
Loan Use: I purchased merchandise to expand my business
Payment amount: $45.33 (principal $33.33, Interest $6.00, Savings $6.00)



One year ago, I decided to start selling vegetables. In reality, I have felt the great support that the ‘Banco Comunal’ has given me through 2 loans grated to me which total $300. Before they were granted, the merchandise that I had was purchased through someone else. Now I can buy it on my own, this has permitted me to improve my earnings. Now I can compete by giving my clientele more accessible prices, because I can buy directly from the vendors.
This increase in earnings has permitted me to provide for my family’s necessities, as all 3 of my children are in school. This is why I ask of God that they never stop supporting me. My desire is to repay the loan well, and solicit another to make improvements to our small house and expand my business.

Adrian Orellana Perazaz

Entrepreneur of The BanHELP Paraiso
established by some funds from One Heart Action Group
added to those from donors to HELP International
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)


Business: Sugar Cane Juice vendor
Loan Amount: $200 (US)
Loan Use: I purchased merchandise to expand my business
Payment amount: $45.33 (principal $33.33, Interest $6.00, Savings $6.00)


My business is selling sugarcane juice in the municipal park of El Paraiso. I feel very grateful for the opportunity of credit given to me by OEF. My first loan was for $100 and I bought merchandise at wholesale, where as before I would by at retail because I lacked the funds to invest. Currently I have a loan of $200 which I used to buy my own 'trapiche' (sugar press). Now I am selling more, and feel very proud to have the ability to meet my family's needs.

Maria Anita Avelar de Alvarado

Entrepreneur of The Banco Rio Grande, Tejutla
established by some funds from One Heart Action Group
added to those from donors to HELP International
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)

Age: 62
Business: Store
Loan Amount: $200 (US)
Loan Use: I purchased merchandise to extend my little shop
Payment amount: $45.33 (principal $33.33, Interest $6.00, Savings $6.00)

"From my youth I have worked and it makes me happy to see that my family does not go without and I now help my husband. I run a store as well as buy milk which I use to make curds that my daughters go out and sell. It has been difficult to grow my business because my home is far removed from the city. It is expensive to travel and we have to wait for our goods to be picked up, which only happens twice a day. For this reason I wanted to purchase sufficient merchandise to be able to sell enough and make enough profit. I still support one of my daughters who has epilepsy as well as two grandchildren. She takes care of the house when I go out to sell. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in the bank."

Mirna Estela Martinez

Entrepreneur of The Banco Rio Grande, Tejutla
established by some funds from One Heart Action Group
added to those from donors to HELP International
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)

Age: 28
Business: Raise Chickens
Loan Use: I purchased chickens and feed
Loan Amount: $150 (US)
Payment amount: $34.00 (principal $25.00, Interest $4.50, Savings $4.50)

"I have always had the desire to start a chicken farm but have not had the funding necessary to be able to do so. This desire was fulfilled when I received a loan from the bank which I used to establish my chicken farm. Through the grace of God I have begun to sell chickens and with the profit I can support the income of my family."

Ruth Elizabeth Navarro

Entrepreneur of The Banco Rio Grande, Tejutla
established by some funds from One Heart Action Group
added to those from donors to HELP International
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)

Age: 28
Business: Sells Papusas
Loan amount: $200 (US)
Loan Use: Bought merchandise to expand business
Payment Amount: $45.33 (principal $33.33, Interest $6.00, Savings $6.00)

[no picture available] "Thank you for the opportunity that you have given me to strengthen my business. I live in a community that is withdrawn from a town called Tejula and we did not have the financial resources to move forward. With the support that you have given me through the Communal Bank, I have purchased merchandise and I now sell more and have increased my earnings. You have allowed me to do what I need for my family."

Andrea Cisneros VDA. de Navarro

Entrepreneur of The Banco Rio Grande, Tejutla
established by some funds from One Heart Action Group
added to those from donors to HELP International
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)

Age: 70
Business: Selling Clothes
Loan Amount: $200 (US)
Loan Use: Purchased a greater variety of clothes to expand
Payment Amount: $45.33 (principal $33.33, Interest $6.00, Savings $6.00)

"I have had a business selling clothing for three years. I have always enjoyed business. When my husband died I had to find a way to cover my economic needs, and even though my children help, I did not wnat to leave them with all of the responsibility. With the loan that I recieved from the bank I can strengthen my business, and I have already been able to buy more merchandise."

Santos Enoeme Diaz

Entrepreneur of The Communal Bank of El Progreso, El Salvador
established by One Heart Action Group October 2007
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)

Age: 41
Business: Clothing Sale

"I want to share with you all my happiness which is very large since for quite some time I now have been selling bed items and clothing that I design. My way of working is the following: I buy fabrics and make sheets, pillow covers, etc. But with the credit that the bank gave me I could increase my business. Now I buy clothing for women and children, and I had a lot of success. From the extra earnings, I recieved from the sale of these additional items, I bough clothing to make uniforms which has helped me improve my earning even more and increase the success of my business. I know that my family deserves much, thanks to the opportunity that you gave me. I cannot pay you but God will bless you abundantly. The most beautiful thing is that I already paid to quotas and I am saving, so I know I will continue ahead."

Maria Tomasa Diaz

Entrepreneur of The Communal Bank of El Progreso, El Salvador
established by One Heart Action Group October 2007
(the cycle term of all the loans is 6 months with the payments collected monthly)

Age: 29
Business: Sale of bicycle repair parts

"I would like to speak to you about how much you all have helped me with this credit opportunity. With those funds, I bought more merchandise to enhance our family business: Repairing bicycles. Our earnings have improved and I feel very happy because I can spend more time with my children and my husband. But I have a dream that I think the bank can help me achieve: once I have paid off this credit I will obtain another loan to buy a refrigerator so I can sell candy and drinks. I give thanks for all that you do for us, because you help my family and many others. I will fight to over come my situation so that I can help other families like mine. God bless you."