Fundamaya

06/12/2026

We are delighted to celebrate the election of our Panajachel School Princess! This beautiful Guatemalan tradition is an important part of our cultural heritage and allows students to participate in community festivities and parades. Congratulations to our newly elected princess and to all the young little ones who took part. We are proud of their confidence, dedication, and school spirit. 🎉👑 We thank our staff members, Asusena, Melany and Ninette for being our judges!

06/12/2026

Thank you Lois Bette Reimer for sending a lovely appreciation lunch for our wonderful staff members and it was a very happy start for them to be able to watch the first Fifa World Cup Game Soccer Game ⚽️

06/10/2026

🎉 Happy Father's Day! 🎉

For just $76 USD, you can provide a special Father's Day food basket for a hardworking father who does so much to support his family.

These baskets will be distributed on Father's Day and will help make the day a little brighter for fathers in need. Your generosity is a meaningful way to recognize their dedication, sacrifice, and love for their families.

To sponsor a Father's Day basket, please visit: https://www.fundamaya.org/donate-to-fundamaya

Thank you for helping us celebrate these deserving fathers!

06/09/2026

🧵✨ Costing and Profit Calculation Workshop ✨🧵

We recently held a Costing and Profit Calculation Workshop with 8 students from our Basic Sewing Course, who are preparing to graduate soon.

Many of these women have not had the opportunity to be able to learn about costs and this is their first time being able to learn about costs and we are so proud of them!

During the workshop, students worked together to learn how to:
✅ Calculate the total cost of materials needed for projects such as aprons etc.
✅ Determine labor costs
✅ Establish a fair and sustainable profit margin for their products

As they approach graduation, these students are gaining the fundamental knowledge and practical skills needed to begin their own small businesses and pursue economic independence.

We are also excited to share that sewing machines donated by the *Community Church of Poway* have been assigned to the students. These machines will be officially presented to them during their graduation ceremony on July 18, helping them take the next step in launching their sewing enterprises.

In addition, our psychologist, Asucena, facilitated a motivational workshop to encourage and inspire the students as they prepare for this new chapter in their lives. We look forward to sharing more details about this session soon.

Thank you to everyone who supports opportunities that EMPOWERS women and families through education, skills training, and entrepreneurship! 💙

06/06/2026

💙 This Father's Day, Help Us Honor Hardworking Fathers 💙 here are our Fundamaya Fathers in the photo left to right (Papa Don Alberto, Papa Julio Cesar, Papa Don Julio, Papa Don Erick, Papa Don Sergio, Papa Don Omar y Papa Don Fredy) 🫶👏👏👏👏

Every day, fathers in our Fundamaya communities work tirelessly in the fields, construction sites, and other labor-intensive jobs to provide for their families. Despite their sacrifices, many struggle to put enough food on the table.

This Father's Day, we want to bless these dedicated dads with a special Food Basket they can take home and share with their families.

A Father's Day Food Basket can provide a nutritious meal for a family, helping us show these fathers how much their hard work and love are appreciated.

🎁 Your gift can make a difference:$76 USD helps provide a father's day food basket

Together, we can celebrate these incredible men by ensuring their families have food on the table and a reason to smile this Father's Day.
We will be handing out baskets Friday June 19th 2026
To sponsor a Father's Day Food Basket, please donate today at www.fundamaya.org, you can donate to a father, step father, mother who is a father/mother or grandfather ☺️ or donate a general basket for those in need!

Thank you for helping us honor the fathers who work so hard for their families and communities. ❤️

06/04/2026

Today, on Gabby Lewis's heavenly birthday, we celebrate a life whose love, kindness, and generosity continue to shine brightly here on earth.

The Gabby Lewis Library in Tierra Linda stands as a beautiful testament to her legacy. What began as a dream to provide educational opportunities has become a place where children discover the joy of reading, students find resources to support their studies, and families gather to learn, create, and grow together.

Through Gabby's legacy, the library has expanded its collection of books, become the community's only bibliographic reference center, provided internet access for research and education, offered academic support classes, hosted storytelling sessions, and created opportunities for children to express their creativity through arts, crafts, and play.

Every book opened, every story shared, every lesson learned, and every child encouraged within its walls is a reflection of the lasting impact Gabby continues to make in Tierra Linda. Her spirit lives on in the smiles of the children, in the curiosity of young readers, and in the hope that education brings to an entire community.

On this special day, we remember Gabby with gratitude and love. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy continues to inspire, uplift, and transform lives. What a beautiful gift she has left behind.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Gabby. Your light continues to shine through every page turned, every dream nurtured, and every life touched by the library that proudly bears your name.
Becky Lewis

With love and remembrance,
Fundamaya
Fundación Familia Maya

06/03/2026

“Fundamaya is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of indigenous and rural families in Guatemala through education, healthcare, nutrition, community development, and economic empowerment programs...”
Read more about our programs and who we are on https://www.businessstoriesmag.com/zoe-marie-mara-smart.

06/02/2026

JUNE 17TH IS FATHER'S DAY IN GUATEMALA!
This Father's Day, we want to celebrate the hardworking fathers in our communities who sacrifice every day for their families.

Many of these Father's work long hours in the fields, construction, or other labor-intensive jobs to provide food, education, and opportunities for their children. For many, a simple celebration in their honor is something they rarely experience.

We are raising funds right now to host a special Father's Day celebration that will include a meal, activities, and gifts for deserving fathers in our Fundamaya communities. OUR GOAL IS $10,000 US to be able to sponsor 285 fathers

of you can donate:

• $76 for a Father's day food basket for their family
• $35 helps provide a gift and meal
• $70 helps sponsor multiple fathers for the celebration

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us show these fathers that their hard work and dedication are appreciated.
We hope to have a Father's day party for these special men! We need to raise $10,000 US

If you would like to help us make this Father's Day special, please consider donating today. Thank you for helping us honor the fathers who do so much for their families and communities.

06/02/2026

We're excited to share that Fundamaya/ Zoe Mara (Fundamaya's Executive Director) was recently featured in Business Stories Magazine. It was a privilege to discuss our journey, the challenges facing the communities we serve, and the incredible impact made possible by our supporters, volunteers, and sponsors.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with us!

Read the interview: https://www.businessstoriesmag.com/zoe-marie-mara-smart

Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed. Thank you, Business Stories Magazine, for helping us share the story behind Fundamaya and the communities we serve. 💙📚🌎

Zoe Marie Mara Smart is the Founder of Fundamaya, a purpose-driven organization committed to empowering communities through education, cultural preservation, and sustainable development initiatives. With a passion for creating meaningful social impact, Zoe leads Fundamaya in developing innovative pr