Link for Health

HELPS International 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:  medical care, education, community and economic development, and agricultural innovations in order to improve the quality of life for the indigenous people of Latin America.

HELPS International was founded in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation in the tradition of service to others.  HELPS programs extend a helping hand to people who then learn to become self-sufficient, giving them hope for a better life for them and a future for their children.  HELPS offers its programs to all people regardless of ethnicity, social standing, political involvement, or religious belief.

HELPS believes in a world of liberty, stability, and personal opportunity.  To achieve these goals, HELPS integrates its programs into the areas of healthcare, education, economic development, environmental protection and other special projects.  HELPS works together with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private enterprise, and cooperates with local and national governments to promote sustainability of its programs. 

HELPS strives for permanent change in communities through its programs, and promotes mutual respect, responsibility, and partnership with local infrastructure. This integrated approach ensures cohesiveness in cultural, medical, spiritual and economic affairs of the rural population.

• MEDICAL:  HELPS has been said to be one of the largest medical relief efforts in the history of Central America. Since 1988, over 140 medical/surgical teams have gone to Guatemala. Each team composed of approximately seventy people provides over one million dollars in direct medical aid to Guatemala.  These teams come from all over the US and travel to the remotest areas to provide US standard healthcare to those who have none.  This year, HELPS will bring over 1,100 volunteers from the US and Canada who will provide over $11,000,000 in direct medical aid.
• 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 long-term literacy and education.  HELPS School in Santa Avelina and its teacher training and other educational systems are a pattern for the region.  This year, HELPS will educate 125 children.
• 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%.   To date 60,000 stoves have been implemented in Guatemala and 10,000 in Mexico. Due to the wood savings, women have two extra days a week in time that are freed up by not having to gather wood.  HELPS will run three stove factories with factory personnel and stove technicians for training and inspections.
• 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.  This year 1,100 families in the corn program will add $400,000 in annual income to the region.
• WATER FILTER PROGRAM:  The HELPS Gravity Water Filter is a practical solution to the need for safe drinking water every day 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 four hours.  The initial assembly is easy and the setup time is about 15 minutes.

Check out their website to 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.