Cross Catholic Outreach

In Guatemala, approximately 47% of children under 5 years of age are chronically malnourished, one of the highest rates in the world. This is particularly prevalent among indigenous children living in remote communities. Since 2017, the St. Mary Magdalene community has partnered with local parishes in North Carolina and Christ the King Parish in Mashpee, Massachusetts to support housing, feeding, and educational initiatives in Guatemala and El Salvador. This has resulted in construction of over 200 homes; food and income support through multiple chicken and pig farms; agricultural initiatives, including numerous vegetable gardens and fruit tree groves; and educational scholarships for nearly 100 students from one of the worst parts of Guatemala City. Most recently a massive community water project was completed, supplying potable water to each family in the impoverished community of El Tablon, Guatemala. These are truly life-changing events! None of this would have been possible without the generosity of donors in these parish communities. This current appeal, as part of a larger 70 home project, is targeted to the funding and construction of 10 homes in the remote, extremely poor community of Suchitepequez, with any overfunding to be used exclusively for the planting of farms and procurement of farming supplies. It is important to note that donations of any size make a huge difference! Additionally, we are blessed to have 5 matching home donations. The cost of each home is $11,043, with the match applied to any donor who funds the cost for a complete home, effectively doubling the impact of the donation. We thank all the donors in advance for their support to lift up these humble people, who remain steadfast in their faith despite being the poorest of the poor.

Roughly half of Guatemala's population lives in poverty and a significant portion lives in extreme  poverty, meaning they struggle to meet basic food needs. Guatemala has one of the highest rates of chronic child malnutrition in the world, especially among indigenous children living in remote communities.  Since 2017, working in partnership with Christ the King Parish in Mashpee, Massachusetts and other parishes in North Carolina, well over 160 homes have been built, multiple chicken and pig farms have been started, numerous fruit tree groves and family gardens have taken root and most recently a massive water project supplying potable water to each family in the the impoverished community of El Tablon, Guatemala has been completed thanks to the generosity of donors. This current appeal is dedicated to the funding and construction of 10 homes in the poor, remote community of Suchitepequez with any overfunding to be applied to the planting of farms and procurement of farming supplies. The cost of each home is $11,043 but donations of any size are appreciated. We are blessed this year to have 5 matching home donations. These matching donations will be applied to any donor who is able to fund the cost for a complete home, thereby doubling the impact of the donation. We thank all the donors in advance for their support of these humble, destitute people. Update April 2, 2026 As of today, 4 generous donors have made whole home donations thereby taking advantage of matching gifts. One more opportunity for a whole home matching donation is available. Help us to take advantage of all these matching funds to get us closer to our fundraising goal. A blessed and happy Easter to all!