Grandmothers Baking for a Better Future

Dear Friends,

We are thrilled to share the latest updates from our Grandmothers  project, where our incredible grandmothers bake their dreams together into delicious bread and treats. This project is more than baking—it’s a story of empowerment, hope, and community.

In this period, two of our grandmothers have received specialized training to bake amazing cakes, which will be available for purchase very soon. Their dedication and enthusiasm are truly inspiring! Soon, we will select two more grandmothers to learn how to make delicious cookies, and as always, all skills and knowledge are shared with every grandmother in the project, ensuring that everyone benefits and grows together.

Thanks to your continued support, our grandmothers are now baking fresh bread for families in Cuenca, filling homes with warmth, love, and the delightful aroma of homemade bread. Each loaf represents not just nourishment, but also hope, resilience, and the dreams of these incredible women.

We are constantly looking for new customers to help us strengthen sales, increase the grandmothers’ income, and ensure the sustainability of the project. Every purchase, every share, every word of support contributes to creating a future where our grandmothers are empowered, independent, and proud of their skills.

This project would not be possible without your valuable support. Every time we light our oven full of hope and dreams, we think of you and the crucial role you play in our journey. You are helping us turn challenges into opportunities, and dreams into delicious reality.

Your support means the world to us and our grandmothers. Together, we are baking not just bread, but also dreams, hope, and a better future.

Thank you for being part of this journey, for believing in our grandmothers, and for helping us create a brighter, sweeter worldone loaf, one cake, and one cookie at a time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Something magical happened this week.

A delivery truck pulled up to the Hearts of Gold Foundation, and the news spread like wildfire: the new industrial mixer had arrived. Staff paused what they were doing. The grandmothers gathered. Smiles spread across the courtyard. For a few beautiful moments, the entire foundation buzzed with joy.

Because this wasn’t just a delivery—it was a milestone. A symbol of what’s possible when people like you say, “Yes, I want to help.”

Thanks to this community’s support, we’ve raised our first $1,500 for the Grandmother Baking for a Better Future campaign. That money bought the mixer that’s already helping women like Doña Mercedes knead with ease and bake with purpose.

But we’re not done yet.

Now, it’s time for the oven.

We’re halfway there—and it’s time to turn up the heat.

Our goal: Raise $1,500 more by May 31st

In these final 10 days, we’re working to raise $1,500 more to buy an industrial oven that will triple production—and open the kitchen to even more grandmothers who are ready to rise.

Every $250 raised beyond our $3,000 goal allows one more grandmother to join the program—with full training, supplies, and emotional support.

Our stretch goal of $5,000 would help 8 new women transform their lives and break cycles of generational poverty—through dignity, skill-building, and enterprise.

These women are caregivers, survivors, and community leaders. They’ve spent decades caring for others. Now it’s their turn to be seen and supported.

You can help us get there.

Share this story with someone who believes in women’s empowerment—or make a second gift today to help us open the oven doors to more grandmothers.

Every share matters. Every dollar counts.

Mark Your Calendars:

Volunteer Day – May 31st
We’ll celebrate this journey with bread tasting, grandmother meet-and-greets, and a cozy Netflix watch of Nonna’s, honoring the truth that it’s never too late to rise.

Take action today: forward this email to a friend who would love this project—or make a new gift to bring us to the finish line.

Help us raise the final $1,500—and bake something even bigger.
Because when one grandmother rises, generations do too.

Let’s finish what we started. Let’s rise—and celebrate—together.

____

PS- We know your gift already made a difference—and we’re so grateful. If you know someone who would love to be part of this rise, we’d be honored for you to share this story.

With joy and rising hope,
Maria Jose Orellana
Hearts of Gold Foundation

Links:

• Watch the Grandmother's Project Launch Video!