Viamistad

Viamistad is a nonprofit organization whose mission is building bridges of understanding between mainstream and marginalized communities. Viamistad currently supports recreational overnight camps for people with disabilities in Guatemala, among other programs for marginalized communities to build relationships and decrease social isolation. The summer camps for the disabled are staffed almost entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers who provide full-care and help to build a large community of friends who return to camp year after year. Campamento Kikotimaal, the original camp, celebrated ten years of operation in 2014. Viamistad hosted two new camps as well last year, in all hosting 65 people with disabilities at week-long sleep-away camps with volunteer counselors as caretakers. In 2015 Viamistad will continue to increase its impact, moving from three to four camp sessions, with over 100 people with disabilities. In 2016 we hope to host 6 camps, including one for people with deafness. Campers do not pay to attend camp and counselors are volunteers. Viamistad's camps are supported by private donation.