PASO POR PASO does a great deal with very little.

Paso directors again visited Panajachel in January. They committed $11,000 CAD to expanding basic projects, and $2000 received from donors since  then will allow more

•    $800 of new money allows for five more interest free Micros Loans. Twenty-five Tierra Linda women will now participate.

•    PASO provides five more sponsorships for a total of 15 students at a cost of  $2250 USD this year.

•    Tierra Linda School committee will receive $9,400 CAD for a new septic system, new toilets, a new protection wall, upgrading of electricity, 60 new desks, and allowances to teachers for photocopying classroom materials.

•    The school-twinning program with Tierra Linda School and Warminster Elementary School in Ontario incurs little cost, but the Ontario school funds two student sponsorships.

Treasurer David Rapson says, “Paso Por Paso is a ‘micro charity’. We provide worthwhile direct assistance right where it is needed. We also keep administrative costs to a minimum.”>/p>

Paso is a registered Canadian charity that issues Canadian charitable tax receipts for donations of $20 CAD and more.

During 2008 PASO received $15,742 in donations. This was disbursed on the following programs:

• $1,600 for ten Student Sponsorships in Panajachel area schools
• $1,600 for 20 new micro-loans of approximately $80 to Tierra Linda women
• $12,000 for Tierra Linda school repairs, – new roof, grills for windows and doors, floor tiles, and kitchen improvements

Paso’s total revenue for 2008 was $54,878. Paso offers its accounting and banking services to its allies:

• Louise Sosa of British Columbia raised $17,201 that she dispensed in projects for the village of Panabaj
• Stan Hindmarsh’s British Columbia Mennonite group contributed $17,750 for the construction of the new Tierra Linda Community Centre built in 2008 by Mayan Families.
• Silver/Swan project dispensed $4,185 through Paso Por Paso

PASO focuses its efforts primarily on education for indigenous Mayan people in the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala. It works cooperatively with other Canadian groups and individuals with similar interests and goals. While some of PASO’s directors visit Panajachel each year, PASO must rely on the expertise of others to implement its programs. Most of PASO’s efforts therefore are channeled through the much larger American based charitable organization Mayan Families. Mayan Families’ main operational base is in Panajachel where it has built strong community connections, cultivated good relationships with municipalities, local institutions and service, earned the respect of ordinary indigenous people, and offers multi-lingual communications.

Paso sponsors children in schools, helps construction and maintenance of Tierra Linda School, has micro loans for Tierra Linda women, has a school twinning program, and will soon offer bursaries to college and university students in Lake Atitlan area.