Project Aims
This project, run by local people, provides education for village children, while maintaining their identity and dignity as Mayans. At the same time, it encourages respect and care for our environment.
Philosophy
San Pedro La Laguna is a place of great artistic value, rich customs, ancient traditions, and meaningful legends and myths. The village is blessed with a unique atmosphere created by its lake and volcano, but also suffers from poverty which inhibits progress. We are often accomplices in this process, because we accept it and close our eyes to its effects. Poverty is the main obstacle to education, and poor education ensures continued poverty. Breaking this cycle in our poorest families is the reason we began this project in 2003.
Vision
Our vision is to help create a village where everyone has access to education. Making the educational dreams of one child come true inspires others to achieve their goals. As well, it has been our experience that a child who graduates then has the willingness and ability to help other children.
Goals
In Guatemala, education is free and, in theory, compulsory. According to United Nations figures, only 60% of children in 5th grade attend school, and this figure is no doubt lower in rural areas like ours. Secondary school begins at age 13 and includes two levels, “básico” and “diversificado”, equivalent to American junior high and high school. Not all secondary education is free, and the nearest high school for San Pedro is 2 ½ hours away. This is a major obstacle for many. It is estimated that only 23% of children between 13 and 18 go to school. Our project aids children whose living conditions would otherwise make education impossible.
Our main goal is to sponsor as many children as possible through high school. A high school education in Guatemala typically assures the graduate a profession and a career. In elementary school, this is typically done by providing the child’s family with money that the child would have earned if not in school, about $450/year. Secondary education is more expensive, involving both tuition and room and board during the week. Children are held accountable for their grades and behavior, and responsibility and maturity is encouraged.
Making the educational dreams of at least one child come true will equip this child to help others achieve their goals.