About
Promoting social justice by offering solidarity and sustainable projects to the poorest in Guatemala.
GuateMalta Foundation
What do Guatemala and Malta have in common?
Why GuateMalta Foundation?
This is a tale of two countries which bonded, through the inspiring enthusiasm of a young Maltese priest which made it happen. The Foundation is a result of more than 25 years of dedication and work of Fr Anton Grech in Guatemala.
Through service rooted in Christian faith and values, the Foundation aims to promote social justice by offering solidarity and sustainable projects to the poorest in Guatemala
GuateMalta foundation is already legally established as an NGO in Guatemala.
Our aims
To provide philanthropic and financial aid to the catholic mission run by Rev Fr Anton Grech in Guatemala through fund-generating events, projects and charitable work.
To assist in the organisation of Maltese groups visiting Rev Fr Anton Grech’s Parish in Guatemala to do voluntary work, by providing the necessary information and any resources needed.
Our objectives
GuateMalta Foundation has the following objectives:
To promote social justice and community advancement by offering solidarity and sustainable projects to the poorest in Guatemala, with the aim of relieving poverty and suffering;
To provide support and information to persons/groups travelling to Guatemala on a voluntary experience in aid of Fr Anton Grech’s mission;
To raise funds by means of organisation of events and activities or otherwise for all the purposes and objectives of the Foundation in such amounts and in such manner as may be authorised by the Committee Board;
To develop and implement sustainable projects assisting the needs of the communities within Fr Anton Grech’s Parish in Guatemala;
The Parish
Our parish “Santo Hermano Pedro” in Santo Tomas de Castilla, department of Izabal in Guatemala, extends to the San Gil Mountain Natural Reserve covering a large extension of rain forest and tropical land.
The parish is divided into 2 main sectors: the urban sector where the population is dense, and the rural sector where the q’eqchis Mayan people live. In this latter sector we have 30 “satellite villages’ ‘ which Fr Anton Grech visits at least once a month.
In the main urban area, the majority of the people work in the port of Santo Tomas. Conditions here are many times precarious and extended families live together in small houses.
The situation in the rural areas is worse. People here live in extreme poverty, in ‘homes’ made of sticks and palm and with no health facilities. They mainly depend on their crops like corn and black beans. The population in the main town is about 15,000 and in the rural Mayan area about 5,000. We have 2 big churches in the main town, one in “Colonia el Manantial” and the new big church called “Stella Maris” Church.
As a parish we are helping in building God’s reign through pastoral service and charity. Our parish is working hard to be missionary in all its aspects. The youth programme is at the centre of our pastoral plan.
Our community is making a reality
Together, we can rebuild. Your contribution will bring a smile to many people in our community.