Erick
April 13, 2025
It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that one of the kids from our Feeding Centre passed away early this morning.
Erick was 6 years old and also attended our private school, Loma Linda. He leaves behind his 9 year old sister Elizabeth and his mother Cristina, who is the assistant cook. Erick will forever be remembered for his infectious energy, constant smile and overwhelming affection. He gave hugs to everyone who would receive one. He will be sorely missed.
Erick died suddenly from a fever. We are in shock and still trying to put all the pieces together. Please help us in praying for this family.
If you would like to help financially towards the funeral expenses, cemetery plot and headstone, food as well as other needs for the family as they arise during this very difficult time, you can do so by sending an e-transfer at donate@lovemadereal.com
COVID-19 Response in Guatemala
COVID-19 has created a “dire” situation for the families that rely on our Feeding Centre in Santiago, Guatemala. Firstly, our Feeding Centre has been closed since the first week of March, as are all schools and businesses except those that sell groceries and medical supplies. The country is under curfew, with no one allowed outside their home after 6:00 p.m. People are not able to travel out of their own town or village. Public transportation, which is the main method our families use to travel to their places of work, is closed. As well, food is in short supply and prices have risen. This has caused widespread fear in Guatemala.
Most of the 40 mothers/widows of our Feeding Centre work at very low paying jobs. Their ability to put food on the table for their children is a challenge at the best of times; now even this income has been taken away. Guatemala has no social safety net like we do here in North America. The situation is indeed a very desperate one for many families.
Jorge and Maria, our ministry partners, have seen this need. They began on March 21st to distribute food packages twice a week to the families registered at the Feeding Centre. Jorge, as a restaurant owner, has a special permit to travel and is able to go to Guatemala City to buy the supplies in bulk. He and Maria, as well as his children and other volunteers, then make up food packages which contain a 2-week supply of staple items like rice, beans, corn flour, oil, sugar, chicken consume, eggs, and soap.
It is our hope to continue providing food packages for our families every 2 weeks until the pandemic ends and the economy reopens. In order to enable us to sustain this effort, we are asking for your financial support. The minimum necessary to continue our efforts is $1,500 CDN each month. Love Made Real appreciates all your donations and prayer support.
Volcano Relief 2018
On June 3, 2018, Volcano Fuego unleashed a catastrophic eruption that took the lives many residents who live in villages on the nearby slopes of the volcano. When the government of Guatemala ceased their search and rescue operations on June 18th, the death toll was recorded at 112 with 197 people still missing. Other reports fear there may be hundreds or even thousands more still buried under 3 metres of ash and sand.
In August 2018, Guy and Beth Robitaille visited the affected area and witnessed the destruction first hand. It seems obvious that the death toll from this disaster is much higher than that reported by government authorities.
Love Made Real launched a disaster relief campaign on June 4th and raised a total of $5,400 CAD. The money was used to purchase 200 packages of food which were distributed by our partners in Guatemala, Walter Lopez and Hilmar Castellanos. These were distributed to the neediest of families with the help of our good friend Lalo Garcia, who lives near the affected area.
Love Made Real wishes to thank all of you who made a donation to this effort. Without you we could not have been of assistance in this manner.
