Courtesy of paradelante.org
By Manuel Vicente LaLande
Para Adelante, a nonprofit that awards scholarships to Guatemalan women, has raised nearly $9,000 and joined a global nonprofit network. The organization was co-founded by USF St. Petersburg student and faculty members.
Founded by alumna Vanessa Ferrer, professor Karin Braunsberger and Richard Flamm, the three were inspired to create the nonprofit after their experiences with the USF St. Petersburg “Education Abroad” program.
When Ferrer traveled to Guatemala, she used her understanding of finance and accounting to reveal that the administrator of the co-op she was assisting had been stealing funds from the business.
Ferrer was able to teach employees how to monitor business finances and educate them on the bookkeeping process so they could be aware of similar practices in the future.
After seeing that her contribution made the business grow exponentially — even opening a second location — she partnered with Braunsberger and Flamm to create the nonprofit and continued to help elevate the community on a larger scale.
Para Adelante shares on its website that its mission is to help Latin American women become “catalysts of change” in their community, by first helping them to better provide for their families, and then lead change.
It aims to accomplish this by providing these women with many of the resources they’ll need to attain a university education. The scholarship fund that this organization provides pays for tuition, computers, and child care.
To expand their influence and grow as a business, Para Adelante joined GlobalGiving, the first global crowdfunding community that connects donors with nonprofits and companies in almost every country.
The organization also provides funding, tools, training, and support to other nonprofits seeking to improve their efficiency.
On Oct. 2, Para Adelante announced it had raised $8,875, and officially became a recognized partner with the GlobalGiving marketplace.
To contribute to Para Adelante and help it reach its funding goal of $9,000, the donation page can be found on the GlobalGiving website at
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/education-for-indigenous-women-in-guatemala/.
