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The primary focus of Oneness is on the very young who lack the educational tools necessary for hands-on experience before being exposed to rote learning and memorization, which is the basis of the system of education in Guatemala. Susan Schmaltz, co-founder of Oneness with her husband Richard, believes that a quality Early Childhood Education experience can change young minds forever, and give them aspirations and opportunities to succeed in life.
This educational program is called "Planting Seeds".
Susan and Richard have succeeded in a small but very significant way to further the goals of Oneness in Guatemala by their own extraordinary contributions and that of volunteers and donors who support their objectives. Volunteers, mainly from Renfrew County in Ontario, but from other areas in Canada and U.S.A. as well, have traveled at their own expense to build the infrastructure needed to support the "Planting Seeds" educational project. While the focus of Oneness is imbued with the Christ like values and the tradition of sharing the burden of the poor, any person of any faith or philosophy is welcomed into the cadre of volunteers and supporters.
During the periods of time when Richard, Susan and the volunteers are in Guatemala they continue to be struck by the appalling abyss of poverty in which many of these fine, proud people exist. This has led them to explore other avenues of assistance such as building homes, providing food, water, medical and dental care and looking for assisting traditional ways of earning a living with new technology. These initiatives occupy an important facet of Oneness's work along with the educational project "Planting Seeds" which is central to their mission in Guatemala.
Oneness represents the dedication of many people to make a difference in the lives of others in a defined place at a particular time. It garners no support from the Canadian government. Instead it depends for its finances on the donations and fundraising efforts of those who support its mandate.
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