The Sienna Project is a living memorial honoring Sienna Lavanhar, the beloved daughter of Anitra and Rev. Marlin Lavanhar. Tragically, Sienna passed away just three days after her third birthday in May 2006. In her memory, Sienna’s grandfather Martin Lavanhar, step-grandmother Caroline, and uncle Derek Lavanhar founded the Sienna Project as a 501(c)3 organization in 2007.
Derek, residing in Guatemala, recognized the critical need for educational facilities in the Quiche region, where Mayan children lacked proper access to schooling. While the Guatemalan government provides teachers, it does not fund the construction of school buildings. The Lavanhar family initially aimed to build 10 schools, a goal they proudly achieved by 2014.
Upon reaching that milestone, Martin and Caroline Lavanhar, then in their 80s, passed the torch to All Souls members eager to continue Sienna’s legacy. With the guidance of Marty, Caroline, and Derek’s ongoing support in Guatemala, All Souls has since built two additional schools – one in 2017 and another in 2019. To date, around 825 children attend classes in buildings erected by the Sienna Project, impacting thousands of lives through improved access to education.
The journey continues with a planned trip to Guatemala in March 2025. Cost per person is $1,200 which includes lodging, meals, in-country transportation and tips. It does not include airfare. Each volunteer participating must also raise $1,500 for the building fund outside of the All Souls community and members.
For those interested in joining this meaningful effort or seeking more information, a meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28th, at 5:00pm in room 206 at All Souls. If you have questions or wish to participate, please reach out to Dianne Rusher at 918.231.2991.