A New Dynamic
In Guatemala, as with the rest of the world, the COVID-19 situation is fluid, changing rapidly, and leaving a trail of uncertainty in its wake. There is a new dynamic within the walls of Casa Bernabé as we are working non-stop, with less hands than before, to care for kids, support our on-site staff, and keep our full team intact in the process.
Here is a condensed look at the entire update below
We are already seeing a drop in local giving. We have a loss of income from community-based school tuition.
With an inability to host teams during our busiest season of the year we are estimating a significant hit to our budget through a loss of room and board and project fund donations, perhaps through the end of the year.
Legally in Guatemala, we are obligated to pay all of our staff, even if they aren’t working, which is around 30 people. This leaves us unable to make substantial budget cuts to match our anticipated decrease in giving.
Our on-campus staff are stepping up, stretching themselves, and pouring into our kids.
Our kids are battling anxiety and very real fear for their biological families outside of Casa Bernabe.
On April 4, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei banned travel between the different counties of the Central American country before and during Easter to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The ban comes as Guatemalans living in large cities were preparing to head home to celebrate Easter with family members in the countryside, many of them older and more vulnerable. He has also forbidden any types of activities at the beach, rivers, lakes, the ruins, or similar places. Antigua has been closed off. The daily curfew remains in effect from 4 p.m. - 4 a.m and occupants must be inside their homes during these hours. Guatemala, almost in its entirety is shut down. Guatemala has only 61 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and three deaths, one of the lowest numbers in the region. Today, Guatemala had it's first confirmed case of community spread. This was one of the biggest fears as the virus has continued to spread.
Our school, as it served the community, has closed as well. With our 200 community students sequestered at their homes, we have lost the little tuition income that they brought. However, according to Guatemalan law, we are still required to pay the full salary of all of our employees, whether they are working or not. This means that the 30 staff who are currently not working, including all of our middle school teachers who live off campus, are still receiving 100% pay and we are unable to tighten our budget in response to this. Salaries make up the largest portion of our budget, approximately $33,500 month.
Additionally, as we look towards the future, we are planning for a drop in US giving with unprecedented unemployment numbers being driven by “flattening the curve.” With an inability to host teams, we are preparing for what the summer, and potentially the remainder of the year, would look like with an as the travel ban continues. Financially, based on 2019’s fiscal year, this could mean potential $100,000 plus losses in donations.
In all of this though, daily life must go on as we care for the 100 little lives that God has entrusted to us. Our amazing staff has stepped up in big ways, outside of what their “job” is. We are witnessing a real coming together of our team. Miguel, one of our psychologists has taken it upon himself to care for our house parents, arranging Zumba classes for our moms and bonfire nights for our dads. An opportunity for them to come together and collectively take a breath in the company of others who “get it.” As we continue to try to keep up with our kiddos learning, we have morning tutoring sessions. Lili, one of our social workers is teaching communications. Maga, from our accounting office is teaching drawing. Sara, International Relations and Co-Director of Casa Bernabe is teaching English and Edgar, director of Casa Bernabe is teaching math. There is a 100% focus on our kiddos these days within the walls of Casa Bernabe. More so now than ever before as life has forced us to slow down and stripped away so many of our old daily distractions. We are seeing fewer behavioral issues with our kids as we play and laugh more. But there is also an undercurrent of panic and worry that sometimes breaks the surface, fed by their anxiety over missing their monthly visits with their biological families and the fear of not knowing if their families are sick.
How can you help?
Please Pray
~ for our staff, for their emotional well-being and endurance as they battle the exhaustion of always having to be “on” as we are shorthanded.
~ for everyone at Casa Bernabé, children and staff alike, for peace in these times of uncertainty. All of them have family and friends outside of the walls that they are missing and afraid for.
Give What You Can.
We know that the coming days are going to be difficult from a financial perspective. We are already beginning to see that.
When was the last time you filled your gas tank? With the Stay-At-Home order, I know for me, it’s been a couple of weeks. Can you help fuel the vision of Casa Bernabé to provide hope and healing to vulnerable children in Guatemala?
Are you missing an opportunity to travel over Easter or spring break? Here is an opportunity to make an impact on eternity.
Any amount will help us bridge the gap and continue caring for our children.
We recognize that these days are fraught with uncertainty for all of us and we know that trusting God can be hard. We are so grateful that as we go through this, we have our greater, global, Casa Bernabé community. So many who have already stepped up and donated, prayed, and reached out to let us know you are loving us from afar.
On behalf of everyone within the walls of Casa Bernabé, God bless you. We are so unbelievably grateful for you.
Ashley Cunningham
Development Director
Casa Bernabé and Friends of Children Everywhere