A Beautiful Connection: How a Chance Encounter is Expanding Our Mission to Guatemala

In December 2023, while exploring the possibility of expanding Dear Future's mission to the Cusco region of Peru, I found myself on an unexpected journey. I joined a group of church missionaries heading to a remote village called Pinchi Muro. How I ended up in that van is a story for another time—one of those moments only the universe can explain.

A Chance Encounter

It was during this trip that I met Natalia Campana, who would later become our boots on the ground in Cusco. Natalia has since become instrumental to our search, identifying the far districts in Cusco that would benefit from our support. But this blog isn’t just about that—it’s about someone else I met that day: Brenda Sucup (from Guatemala) and Kelsy Parrish (from North Carolina).

As we huddled together on that long, winding ride through the Andes, Brenda and I began talking about our work in charity. She shared a deep desire to help children in a region of Guatemala called Río Negro—a place marked by a history of immense pain and loss during the genocide of the 1980s and years of abandonment. This community has long struggled with trauma, poverty, and lack of access to education.

Brenda with Children of Aldea Chumila

Brenda wasn’t sure how to begin. But after sharing the story of Dear Future, we realized that we could explore the possibility of joining forces. Brenda could bring her deep connections in both Guatemala and the United States, and we could bring our experience in delivering school supplies and building local partnerships.

After I returned from Peru, we had a much anticipated follow-up conversation. We began brainstorming how we could make this dream a reality. The plan? Research logistics, build relationships with local leaders, and prepare for a scouting visit to Aldea Chumila in Río Negro, in the near future.

We’re thrilled to say that this project is advancing beautifully. What started as a conversation in a van has blossomed into the early stages of a brand-new chapter for Dear Future and Brenda.

Unlike our programs in Peru and Uganda, the Guatemala project would be spearheaded locally by Brenda, with all the support and guidance we can offer. We believe in sustainable expansion, and this partnership allows for just that.

If all continues to go well, we hope to officially adopt the Guatemala program into our organization’s core strategy in 2026.

It’s amazing how one unexpected journey can lead to another. We’re so excited for what’s ahead, and deeply thankful for people like Brenda who carry the same passion for education and equity as we do.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue shaping this beautiful project!

Stay tuned for part II: Dear Future lands in Guatemala.