Student Life

Operation Guatemala

All are invited to participate in the Guatemalan Stove, Water Purifying, and Education project with Sandra and Al Johnson (Ana Sofia '25) as they organize a family mission trip to Guatemala the week of June 9, 2024.

Join us for an information session on Wednesday, January 31 at 7:30 pm in the Oakcrest Library.

If you think you might be interested, please email us at: palomo_johnson2@msn.com and let us know how many people in your family may be interested in going.

For more information on the project and its opportunities, see below.

Operation Guatemala Powerpoint Presentation

Information

We would like to ask families to consider establishing their own goals for raising money to buy some wood stoves and water systems for poor Guatemalan families.

These systems (ONIL – HELPS International (helpsintl.org)) are very basic by our standards but they are life changing for these families.

We hope this becomes a shared family experience not just an isolated school project. As a parent, you can help your daughter and family members understand that the world is very different outside of our privileged area and we are fortunate to have what we have and live where we live both locally and globally.

Here are some suggestions for you to share at home:

Watch some videos with your daughter:
Learn a little about Guatemala and find it on the globe.
Participate with your child in fundraising activities and/or contribute funds.
Go all the way...join us on the mission to Guatemala with your family and install these important items in Guatemalan homes.

- Ana Sofia '25 in 2023

- Ana Sofia '25 in 2017

Trip Information

The mission will be the week of June 9, 2024. We requested information from HELPS and they currently estimate about $1,150 per person. Please note this is a general number to give you an idea of what it would cost per person for a 4-night mission. HELPS will make all the domestic arrangements. They can also arrange plane tickets to/from the U.S. and insurance (or you can arrange these on your own).

$1,150 includes:

Airport-hotel-airport transfers
One night in hotel in Guatemala City (team members will probably arrive on Sunday/Monday and then travel by land to the worksite on Tuesday).
Ground transportation to and from worksite
Private security escort for the duration of the mission (except in Antigua)
Accommodations at worksite
All meals at worksite and farewell banquet (probably in Antigua)

Not included: airfare and insurance; incidental expenses such as souvenirs, toiletries, some meals while in Antigua; excursion trips in or around Antigua or Guatemala; etc. One of the reasons for doing the mission in the summer is so families can stay longer to visit the Mayan ruins of Tikal, climb a volcano, enjoy Antigua, do a coffee tour or/and zipline, sports fish in the Pacific, or any of the other fun and interesting things there are to do in Guatemala. We can introduce you to some drivers, guides, and tour companies we have used.

Airfare and insurance costs are estimated around $600 to $1,000 per person. For example, a plane ticket for June 9 to June 14, 2024, was recently between $450 and $900. There are nonstops out of Dulles airport (a little over a 4-hour flight) and also connections through Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Newark, and other cities.

Contribution Process

In order to keep track of all funds raised and to consolidate them into one check to be given to HELPS (HELPS International – The life you change may be your own. (helpsintl.org) we will be using a 501(c)(3) organization my company created in 2009 called AgriOpportunity. We will make sure that all funds are accounted for, secured, and consolidated on behalf of the Oakcrest community. We will also make sure you receive a letter for tax purposes. 100% of the funds raised will go to HELPS on behalf of the Oakcrest community.

If you are writing a check please make it out to “AgriOpportunity” and note on the subject line that it is for the HELPS mission. For your information the address is:

AgriOpportunity

c/o Allen Johnson

7005 Holyrood Drive

McLean, Virginia 22101

Al’s office: (703) 556-0074

- The Johnson Family in 2013

Timeline and Funding

This project will be carried out the Winter/Spring of 2024 and the mission trip will be the week of June 9, 2024.

We will deliver a check to HELPS on behalf of the Oakcrest community for the stove/water systems. In order to evaluate if there is a critical mass of people interested in forming an “Oakcrest Team” to go to Guatemala, below is some information.

At least one parent must go on the mission with their child(ren).