www.FeedTheDream.org

2011 HIGHLIGHTS •Reachingoutto1400+daily

•Establishingandoverseeingourprogramin18communities

•PermanentprograminTzanjomel

•Newpreschoolnutritionalprograms

FALL 2011 NEWSLETTER

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“YOU ARE WAKING US UP” Feed the Dream'sfirstvillageinpartnershipwithBehrhorstPartnersforDevelopmentwasCambalcol.Myintroductiontothemwasfilledwithfeelingsofanticipationandgratitudewiththeparticipating15womenand20children.Ialwayslookedforwardtomyreturntoreconnect,witnesstheirdevelopmentandwatchthegrowthoftheirchildren.Iwasneverdisappointed.Onourlastvisitthere,awomangavemetheultimatecompliment.AfterasharedmealshestoodwithherhealthychildrenandthankedFeed the Dreamfor"wakingupourminds." Itwasanextraordinarymomentforallofus.

7 YEARS LATERWiththecompletionof7yearsintheGuatemalanHighlands,Feed the Dreamisexperiencingevenmoreamazingaccomplishments.Ourvillagesareabundantwithproofofhealth,progressandoptimismfortheirfuture.Aswemovetowardsustainability,amutualdepthinpersonalrelationshipsandcommitmentshasdeveloped.Theindigenousknowthattheycanrelyonus.Havingoptionsforthefirsttimehaschangedthewaytheythink.Youcanseeintheirfacesanewself-esteemandapositiveapproachtoeachday.Theirstories,highlightedinthisnewsletter,demonstratethesenewrealities.ThisonlyhappensbecauseofYOU---yourdonations,supportandbeliefinourprogram.Ijointheminsaying...

“Matiox”……“Gracias”inKaqchikel

Sandy Haggart, Founder

“Matiox”……“Gracias”

Sandy Haggart, Founder

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TZANJOMEL — A NEW BEGINNING

Formorethan3yearsFeed the Dream haswaitedpatientlytobeginournutritionprograminthisisolatedanddesperatelypoorcommunity,perchedonanarrowmountainledgeabovetheshoresofLakeAtitlán.FirstwetakeaboattoTzununábeforeclimbinginthebackofapick-uptruckthatlurchesupthemountainviaarock-strewndryriverbed.Finallywedismounttocrossariver,traipsethroughcoffeetreesandbeginasteepascentupthemountaintobegreetedby25indigenousfamilies.Threeyearsagotogetherwebuiltacorn-grindertosavethemhoursandenergyfromhavingtheircorngroundatthemountainbase.Theyhavemaintaineditwithpristinecareandpride.Finallyflatlandwaslocatedforacenter,butthenevenmoreexcitingthingsdeveloped.PartneringwithtwootherNGOs(non-governmentalorganizations),MiraclesinActionandAmigosdeSantaCruz,Feed the Dreamisintheenviouspositionofbeingpartofabigger"dream."Apermanent2-roomschoolhouseisbeingbuiltandwillattachournutritioncenter,kitchenandalatrine.Agenerouslocalagricultureexperthasvolunteeredtoteachthewomenaboutorganicgardeningwiththeinstallationofanewgardennexttothecenter.Weexpectcompletionbythebeginningof2012,butuntilthenpleaseenjoytheenthusiasminthepicturesshownbelow.DuringourMarchvisitweheldacelebration,andtherealcomplimentwasthatallthevillagemencametogreetusandpersonallythankFeed the Dreamforcaringabouttheirfamilies!

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TZANJOMEL — A NEW BEGINNING

The Seftenberg girls,showingthoughtfulnessatayoungage.Maggie,age9,andsisterAnna,age6,ofGlencoe,Il.,eachindividuallyaskedforvitaminsordonationsforFeed the Dreaminsteadofbirthdaygifts.Howunselfishisthat!Thankstoyoubothforhelpingotherchildrenlessfortunatehaveachanceatgoodhealth.

YearsbeforeAnneparticipatedinatriptoGuatemala,shemostgenerouslygavehertalentstoFeed the Dream.Each year she has transformed our golf event location—oncewithwildflowersgatheredonherbikefromvacantneighborhoodlots,anothertimewithcarvedartisanangelswithsunflowersandthisyearwithwoodentraysfilledwithminiaturevegetablesinbrightlycoloredGuatemalandishes.AnneisalwaysrememberingtheneedsofourGuatemalanchildren.HerhusbandMikeisloyalandpresentatourgolfeventsbeginningat6:30a.m.tosellrafflesorhelpwhereverneeded.

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW—HERE

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW—THERE

Dr.Brian,alocalpediatrician,andwifeShaniHirschhavebeenloyalsupportersofFeed the Dream,butlastholidayseasonShani,hermotherand3sisterswentaboveandbeyondtoreachouttoourGuatemalanchildren!Have you ever heard of a Bake Sale earning $2335?Thatisexactlywhathappened!Thebakedgoodsweredeliciousandbeautifullypackaged.Shani'shomewasfilledtocapacitywithfestivegoods,smellsandpositiveenergy.Itfeltjustthewaytheholidaysshouldfeel.Thankyousomuch.L to R Bernadette Fallaw, Carmel Glynn, Bridie Cavalier, Shani Hirsch, Tara Kelly

Silvia Ester Rodriguez Tineyisoneofourmostwonderfulindigenouseducators.Asshealwayshasasmileandbubbleswithenthusiasm,ourvillagewomenandchildrenrelateeasilytoher.BorninPatzún,SilviaspeaksKaqchikel(nativedialect),SpanishandislearningEnglish.Atage27withherown2youngchildren,herpassionhasalwaysbeenintheareaofdevelopmentofchildrenandmothers.Asyoumightguess,Silviaandherindigenousachievefar-reachingresults.

WhilevisitingtheStrongFamilyCenterofCruzNueva,ayoungmother,Maria Juliana,cameuptomewithherbaby.Shesmiledsweetlyandsaid,

"Becauseyoudogoodthings,I named my baby Sandy!"Icouldbarelybelieveitandwassotouched.Asyoucanseebyherpictures,sheishealthyandthriving—atrueFeed the Dreambaby!

Anne Schrauth

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DEDE REEDY • Northfield, ILLovedmyfirsttriptoGuatemala.Itwon'tbemylast!GoingwithSandymadeitaperfect"10".FirstofallseeingSandy'senthusiasm,energyanddevotiontotheMayanwomenandchildrenshe'shelpingandinreturntheirloveandrespectforherexposedmetothejoythatcomesfromcaring.Tobepartofthiswasarareprivilege.

Arrivingatthenutrition"centro"no.1,Isawbeautifulwomeninnativedresssurroundedbyspunky,healthylookingchildrenwhoteasedusandeachotherandbehavedlikethehappyhealthychildrentheywere.ThisindigenousgrouphasbeenrecipientsofFeed The Dream'snutritionprogramforseveralyears.

Visitinganothercenterthenextdayfurtherupinthemountains,wesawwomenwhowereshyandtimid.Theirchildrenwereevenmoreshyandsubdued.Theylackedthesparkleandjoywe'dseenthedaybefore.Theywerenewtotheprogram.It'sexcitingtoknowthatintimetheywillbecomemoreconfident,healtherandhappierastheybenefitfromthehelpandlovethatFeed The Dreamprovides.

IfeelblessedtohavevisitedthebeautifulMayanpeopleintheirmostextraordinarilybeautifulhomeland.

DIANE JOHNSON • Northfield, IL

It'stheappreciationofthemothersthatmostimpressedme.Theseyoungsmilingmotherswithachildontheirbackandoneortwopoliteandwell-behavedchildreninhandweresogratefulforSandyandherFeed the Dreamorganization.Howoftenweheardtherefrain,"Pleasedon'tleaveusSandy."ItwasaprivilegetowitnessfirsthandwhatadifferenceSandy,hasmadetoimprovethelivesofsomanydeservingmothers.ItwasalsoverygratifyingaswetraveledfromvillagetovillagetowitnessthehardworkingcapableindigenousthatSandyhastrained.MicaelaandSilviaarewonderfulexamplesofwomenhelpingwomenhelpthemselves.GuatemalaisabeautifulcountrywithwonderfulpeopleworththeeffortsofFeed the Dream.

OUR GUATEMALAN TRIP IMPRESSIONS KITTIE DEVERS • Winnetka, ILMypersonalexperienceduringourwonderfultriptoGuatemalawasoneofgreatpleasures,beautyandexceptionalcontentmentwithallthedelightfulpeopleweencounter,knowingandrespectingtheirlimitedcircumstances.Weallthoroughlyenjoyedwatchingthechildrenperformtheirmusicalactswiththeirwidehappysmiles,colorfuloutfitsandlaughingeyes.Suchfunandmostwelcoming!However,inthemidstofallthiscomfortwebecameoverwhelmedandheartbrokenbyonesmallboy.Notabletoshareanyofthesameenthusiasmashispeersduetohishorrifyingcondition.

Duringourvisitthischild,Edgar,remainedinadirtydarkshedallbyhimselfunabletomovewiththemostterrifyingexpression.Hiseyeswerehauntingandinthemyoucouldreadthetragedyandpainofhislife.WeweretoldlaterthatEdgarhadnumerousmedicalproblems,unabletoworkduetobirthdeficiency,bothmentalandphysical.Toaddtohismisery,hehadanopen-infectedbellybuttonwhichhasremainedexposedsincebirth12yearsago.Youcouldfeelhissufferingallthroughyourheartandsoul,especiallyafterbeingentertainedbyalltheotherchildreninteractingwithoneanother,showingoffwithgreatzest.

Edgar'smotherandfatherhadnoideathatFeed the Dreamcouldandwouldhelpthem,untilRosabroughtittotheirattention.CertainlyhelpisneededthroughoutGuatemala.TherearehundredsofstorieslikeEdgar.Theneedissogreat!SandyistheirGreatWhiteHope,theirMotherTheresa.Exceptionalineveryway!

Theysayinlifetherearethreegreatessentialsforhappiness…Somethingtodo…Somethingtolove…Andsomethingtohopefor.Ourhopeisfor“Feed the Dream”tocontinuetogrowandnourishunderSandy’sgreatleadershipsothatchildrenlikeEdgarcanhaveabetterlife,justlikeeveryotherdeservingchildintheworld.

GIL HAGGART • Glenview, IL Sandyhasbeenfortunatetohavetraveledwith35peopletoGuatemalaovertheyears.Tome,hergreatestaccomplish-mentsareprovidingabetterlifetothe1400peoplesheserveseachdayin18villagesandtheselfesteemthatradiateswhenrevisitingtheindividuallocationsinthemountains.

Onapersonallevelforher,shehasdevelopedafantastic,dedicatedboardandthreeofthosepeoplehaveGuatemalanchildren.Alsofortheluckypeoplewhohavegonewithher,shehasmadenewfriendsandgreatlyenhancedfriendshipsshe’shadthroughoutherlife.

Yes,I’mveryproudofher.Herdedicationandpassiontoacharitywouldbehardtomatch.I’mlookingforwardtomyfourthvisitinDecemberatChristmaswhenweassembleanddistributetamalebaskets.Ican’tthinkofamoreenrichingwaytoshareaholiday.

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OUR GUATEMALAN TRIP IMPRESSIONS

SCOTT BRADY • Glenview, IL

Myimpressionsofthisbeautiful,butdesperatelypoorcountry,arecenteredonhowthecombinationofeducation,simpletechnologyandcommunityactivismishelpingtheindigenouspeopleofGuatemalaimprovethehealthoftheirfamilies.Iwasamazedthattheprimefocusofthevillagewomenhadtobeonthefoodtheyweregoingtoprepareeachday.Iwaspleasedtofindthatthevillagewomenembracedthenutrition-focusededucationprovidedbytheFeed the Dreampersonnel.Thevillagemeetingplaceswevisitedwerefilledwithchatterandlaughing.Thechildren

interactedwitheachotherandenjoyedanutritiousmeal.Itwasclearfromthetestimoniesofthemothersthattheyfeltbettereducatedaboutfamilynutrition;theirchildrenwerehealthier;and,becauseofbeingabletointeractwithotherchildrenatthecenter,thechildrenwerebetterpreparedforschool.ThesmilesofthechildrenthethankfulnessofthemothersweretheproofofthesuccessoftheFeed the Dreamprogram.Ilefteachvillagesmilingandhopefulforthewomenandchildrenwemet.

BETH BRADY • Glenview, ILEveryonewhogoestoGuatemalawithSandyhasanoutstandingexperience.Inanewtwist,lastFallof2010,thegroupwascomprisedof3couples,SandyandherhusbandGil,myhusbandScottandJulieandBobMontgomery.Itwasnicetotravelwithourhusbands,addingalittletomycomfortlevelandthemenwerealsojustasengagedaswewereandmarveledatwhattheysaw.Itnowappearsthatthatwas‘thetheme’forthetripforme.Themaleaspect.

WhatwasimpressivetomewastoseethevillagemenwhowouldcometobepartofthewelcomeforSandyandallofus.ItwasagreattributetoseethattheheadmalewouldexpresshisgratefulnessandsupportforSandy’sworkbecausesheisimprovingthelivesoftheirchildren,thefamiliesandthereforethevillage.

Inthismaledominatedindigenoussocietythattypicallyhaslittlerespectforwomen,mostyoungmothersgetlittle,ifany,supportorhelpintheirhard,dailylives.Theyareactuallyquiteignorantthroughnofaultoftheirown,aboutcleanliness,nutrition,birthcontrolandthenurturingaspectofraisingtheirchildren.Theyhavelittleselfworth.

TheneedforandimportanceofSandy’seducationalmaterials,programs,vitamins,equipmentandhercontinuoushands-onpresenceandsupportisthereforevitalifthesepeopleandvillageshaveanyhopeofimprovingthemselves.Andyouseeitinactionwhenyougothere.ThereisnohelpfromthegovernmentsowiththepeopleSandyhasrunningherprogramsandtheresourcesandenlightenmentthattheysharewiththewomen,theyarebringingabouthugechangesinfamilylife,children’shealth,andwomen’sworthinthissociety.

Sandyisalsoindirectlyeducatingthementoallowthewomen‘todo’.Thankgoodnesssomeofthemarecomingonboardandlettingthesegoodthingshappen.Thefemales’self-esteem,confidence,andselfworthmultiplyathousandfoldwithSandy’sprogramsandthemen’ssupport.Theresultantrespectforthewomen,thecooperationofthemenandtheincreasedhealthinessofthevillagechildren,areallworkingtogethertocontinuethegroundswellofgoodthatispoppingup alloverthemountainsidesinthispartofGuatemala.ThankyouSandy.

JULIE & BOB MONTGOMERY • Chicago, IL

“Please,don’tforgetus.”Thiswasthepleaofayoungmominthefirst villagethatwevisitedwithFeed the DreamlastfallanditissomethingIthinkaboutoften.Herhumblewordssaidsomuchaboutprogram’simpactonherlifeandthelivesofherchildren.

Feed the Dreamhasabeautifulformulaforchanginglives:First,feedthechildren-malnutritionisadefiniterealityintheseremotevillagesinGuatemala.Wewereabletoseesuchanoticeabledifferenceinsizeandrobustnessoncethechildrenreceivedtheextrafortifiedmeal.Weevenhadmomsshowustheir“before”and“after”children!Theirgratefulnesscannotbeoverstated.

Second,teachmothershowtocookmealsthataremorenutritionalthanthetraditionofjustcornandcoffee.Everymotherwemetlovedbeingpartoftheprogramandwaseagertolearneverythingthatwouldbenefittheirfamily.Besidesnutrition,wesawhealth,legalandparentingeducation.Onemomtoldus,“Ididn’tknowIwassupposedtoplaywithmybabybutnowIdo.”

Thirdly,worktowardself-sufficiency.Thewomenweresoproudtoshowustheirmicro-gardensandtheir“modern”irrigationtechniqueusinganoldsodabottle.Justaddingtomatoestotheirdietcanmakeameaningfuldifferencetotheirnutritionandsenseofself-worth.

Thisyoungmom’swords“Please,don’tforgetus”alsochallengesmeasIamsurroundedbythedistractionsofmycomfortablelifeintheUS.IknowIdon’twanttobesomeonewhoismovedbyacauseandthenmoveson.Thankfully,Feed the Dreamisfaithfultothesewonderfullycaringmothersandwillcontinuetogivemetheopportunitytoconnectwiththem.Itooamgrateful.

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LOCAL GUATEMALAN TRAVELERSTheendofthesummerwascelebratedbyallthelocalwomenwhohaveparticipatedonatriptoGuatemalawithSandy.Itwasafuntimetoshareourenthusiamandhumorousadventures!

Top row, L to R: K. Devers, A. Schrauth, M. Rabjohns, D. McKay, A. Gallagher, C. Reedy, S. Ephraim

Middle row: S. Haggart, D. Reedy, D. Johnson, P. Frey, P. Pollina, I. Powers

Bottom: J. Montgomery, M. Geraldson, B.Brady, W. Ferguson, J.Cody, L. Curry

not pictured: J. Crawford, P. Gillis, P. Tilghman.

FACTS ABOUT GUATEMALAN HEALTH AND NUTRITION

• Lifeexpectancy:65males,74Females

• Underagefivemortality:45per1,000(compareto7intheUS;3-4inmostWesternEuropeancountries)

• Primarycausesofdeathforchildrenages1-5:respiratoryanddiarrhealdiseases

• Percentofchronicmalnutritioninindigenouschildren:70-80%

• Rankingofchronicmalnutritioninchildren:4thhighestintheworld;highestinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean

• GrowthStunting:80%inruralareas

• AverageheightofadultMayan:4’6”females,5”2”males

• Percentofminimumwageneededtocoverthebasicfoodbasket:75%

• PovertyRate:70%countrywide,higherinruralareas

Sources: UNICEF and theWorld Health Organization (WHO), 2011

7TH ANNUAL GOLF & LUNCHEON EVENT On July 18 more than 200 women attended our annual fundraiser and enthusiastically made it our most successful day ever with a net of $103,000!

Our day was tucked in between weeks of stormy weather and power outages.We are thrilled and grateful for our success during these challenging economic times. Please visit www.feedthedream.org to see pictures of some of our attendees. Now we can continue reaching out to our desperate indigenous who face worse daily challenges.

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TAMALE BASKET SENSATION!ThisholidaywillbedifferentwiththeTamaleBasketCelebrationbecauseGilandIwillpersonallybeinGuatemalatoassembleanddistributethemtoourindigenouswomenwhohavefaithfullyparticipatedinourprogramallyear!Youcanjoinusinspiritbydonatingbasketsat$50each.Feed the Dreamgiftcardscanbesenttothosepeopleinwhosehonoryouhavedonated.Theycanbeforholidaygifts,thankyous,teacherpresents,friends,specialeventsorsimplybecauseyoucareaboutsomeonewhoismuchlessfortunateandinneed.

Abasketfeedsupto12familymembersandprovidesthemwiththeingredientsforthetraditionalChristmasEvemeal:oil,15lbs.ofrice,ablockofchocolate,bread,leavestomaketamales,achicken,raisins,redgrapes,sugar,saltcoffee,tomatoesandpumpkinseeds.Itisthehighlightoftheiryear!

Our 8th Annual Event will be Monday, July 16th. 2012!

(Back) Cathy Stieber Bracket, Judy Dorr and Jean Gray and (front) Sue Emme and Diane Silca

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS• SandyHaggart,Founder,Glenview,IL• CherylAshley, LakeForest,IL• JustineCody, Winnetka,IL• JulieCrawford,Winnetka,IL• SusieEphraim, Wilmette,IL• GilHaggart,Glenview,IL• KatyD.Knoer,Kenilworth,IL• DonnaMcKay, Winneka,IL• ColeenReedy, Wilmette,IL• PattyTighman, Glenview,IL

ADVISORY BOARD• FrankB.Chauner,Northbrook,IL• HollyClark,Louisville,Ky.• WendyH.Ferguson,Winnetka,IL• Dr.WilsonH.HartzIII,Chicago,IL• SuePatterson,Antigua,Guatemala• ScottW.Petersen,Chicago,IL

Sandy Neville Haggart grew up in La Jolla, Ca. She received both her B.A. and M.A. from Northwestern University. She and her husband Gil raised their family in Glenview, Il, where they have resided for 46 years.

9 year old

With the current crisis of malnutrition and critical food shortage—WE NEED YOU NOW, MORE THAN EVER.Yes,thesearedifficulteconomictimesforeveryone,butwecanhelpinawaythatiscrucialfortheindigenousbutnotlife-changingforus.Weknowthatyouhaveachoiceamongcharities,andwewillbegratefulifyouchooseFeed the Dream.

Donations may be mailed to: FEED THE DREAM

P. O. Box 2642, Glenview, IL 60025or donate online at www.feedthedream.org

All donations are tax-deductible as we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, #30-0536205

email: info@feedthedream.org

Our mission istoestablishandoverseenutritionprogramsthatprovidefood,vitamins,healtheducation,hygieneandenrichmenttochildrenunder5yearsofageandwomenofreproductiveageinimpoverishedruralGuatemala.Weworkinpartnershipwiththeindigenous.

YOUR THOUGHTFUL GENEROSITYIS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

Thereareseveralwaystogive:monetarydonations,stocksorin-kindcontributions.

$10,000 establishes a nutrition program center

$5,000establishes and maintains 7 village gardens

for one year

$2,500 Six month’s salary forourindigenousnutritionistandeducator

$1,000 provides 111 women withfolicacidandhealthcare

$500 Offersonepregnantwoman a healthy pregnancy

with food and vitamins

$130 Providesa vented, enclosed stove topreventopen-fireburnsandrespiratoryillness

ortwoChristmasTamaleBaskets

$250 Feeds one child with food and vitamins foroneyear

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