Unbound

“It’s always been my motivation to become like him someday.”
Ask Iker about Lionel Messi, and he'll tell you about skill, vision and determination.
Ask him about his own future, and you'll hear dreams that stretch beyond the soccer field.
💛 Read Iker's story at the link in our bio or at Unbound.org.

Notes From the Road: Guatemala 🇬🇹

"The next day was our “Agents of Change” day in the community of Unión Victoria in the Chimaltenango region. This was the community’s first visit from Unbound sponsors.

After several hours on the road, we arrived to a beautiful welcome from mothers and children dressed in bright red traditional clothing, standing out against the deep green hills around them. The families here are Ixil and K’iche’ Maya who resettled in this area after the Guatemalan civil war. Unbound has been walking with this community since 2003.

Two Unbound mothers groups, Victoria and La Rosa, shared their work with us in such creative ways. Through a play about bees and interactive games, they taught us about Unbound’s program characteristics and what it means to be agents of change.

At the end of the visit, we celebrated the opening of a new office space for the Victoria group. This was an Agents of Change project. They received $500 in support and raised more than $2,300 within their community to complete it.

There was also plenty of joy throughout the day. Sharing food, exchanging gifts, dancing and, of course, playing soccer together.

This is what it is all about. Connecting with people. Even when you do not speak the same language and your worlds feel far apart, you find ways to come together. You dance, you walk hand in hand, you laugh, you play.

Despite the distance in miles and life circumstances, we are all people who want to love and be loved, to care for one another and be cared for. The kids on this trip reminded us just how true that is. 💛" –Ashley

Notes From the Road: Guatemala 🇬🇹

"On our first day in Guatemala, we traveled just outside Patzún and spent several hours with Las Margaritas, an Unbound mothers group.

These groups are made up of parents, mostly mothers, who come together to support their communities through education, health, savings, livelihood efforts and letter writing. Listening to them share about their work and the impact they are making was a meaningful way to begin the trip.

We were welcomed with so much warmth. They prepared a delicious meal and gifted us beautiful woven mats." —Ashley

Notes From the Road: Guatemala 🇬🇹

"A few more photos from our day one visit with Las Margaritas, an Unbound mothers group.

Sponsors moved through different stations to learn about the group’s committees and the ways they support their community through education, health, savings, livelihoods and letter writing.

We also began the day with Mass in Guatemala City. Before heading to San Lucas Tolimán, we stopped in front of the National Palace together." —Ashley