The Kirk has had a partnership with the village of Palá, Guatemala since our first mission trip the summer of 2006.
Our projects focus on education, economic development and health education.
Download a Trip Application for the January 2026 Trip to Guatemala
Education
Construction of the library was finished by the end of 2009 and inaugurated, outfitted and staffed with a Director, Assistant and Computer Teacher in 2010. The computer center is certified by the Education Department in Guatemala and attracts students from around the area.
Education
Scholarships are funded by a variety of individuals or small groups to help provide an education to middle school, high school and university students.
Scholarship amounts are between $300 – $1,500 depending on the level of education being received. We require that half the students be female and half the students be male. There is no requirement that they attend any particular church. For information on how to be a student sponsor, contact Patty Snow.
Health & Nutrition
Men’s and Women’s Health Workshops
Since 2009, Mike Anthony, MD, has traveled to Palá on an annual basis and conducted health workshops for the men and women. We have partnered with a non-profit in Guatemala, APROFAM, to assist in general health seminars. We are now working with the Community Health Worker who services the village.
Health & Nutrition
School Lunch Program
Guatemala Village Partners (our official 501(c)3) has partnered with Rise Against Hunger to provide meals for a school lunch program in Palá and in several orphanages around the country.
Economic Development
Textile Program
Barney Hale has worked with a weaving guild that he established in Palá. This group of 22 women sells Barney 12 scarves at each trip. Barney brings the scarves back to the US and sells the scarves in a number of locations. All proceeds go back to the women who weave the scarves. To date over 600 scarves have been sold. The women who are in the program tell us that their husbands allow them to keep this income. The money has been used to pay off loans, purchase crops, etc. The women all feel that this is giving them power they have never had.
Economic Development
Micro-Loan Program
To date, the micro-loans have been repaid with interest on a regular basis. The funds are then loaned out again to all who qualify. The initial amount of a loan was $70 but has now increased to almost $100 as a result of some funds being donated to this project and the interest that has been paid. Most of the loans have been used by the men to improve their coffee crops, and women have used the loans to buy pigs, for textile projects, etc.
Economic Development
Coffee Plants
The first Kirk mission trip involved planting coffee plants on the side of the mountain.
Economic Development
Agricultural Diversification Program
This two year program was launched with an initial group of 10 farmers (half men, half women) in January 2013. A second group of 10 farmers was trained from 2015-2017. These farmers are charged with sharing their knowledge with the farmers in Palá.