It all started with a little boy named Henry.
Henry Estuardo
Henry was born at the foot of the Pacaya volcano in Guatemala. He lived there for 2 years and then needed a new family to take care of him. He was adopted and came to live in England when he was 3.
Henry motivated his friends and family to stay connected to his Guatemala. He still does.
In the early days Team Helps gathered a group of volunteers to travel to Guatemala each summer to help improve the living standards of families in the Mayan Highlands. The teams were a mix of enthusiastic people from all over – from the UK, America, Spain, Belgium and Argentina.
A key alliance of Team Helps has been with the non-profit HELPS international based in Texas and Guatemala. HELPS has worked in country for years by providing medical mission teams, infrastrature development projects and educational and community work for the Guatemalan people.
In 2007 the team was based in Uspantan and focused on installing fuel efficient, safe stoves for over 75 homes. In 2008, the team expanded the project by travelling to Santa Avelina and installing stoves and water filtration systems in more than 80 homes. They also had an opportunity to work at the innovative William Botnam school in Santa Avelina. This school and community made a mark on our team and have continuted to be a focus for Team Helps since that first encounter.
In October 2014 a team of 9 adults and 5 children will be working with From Houses to Homes to build 2 homes for families in Santa Maria de Jesus as well as dedicating time and supplies with a few orphanages in the Antigua area.
Our first team in 2008