Changing the World, One Child at a Time

Dear Casa Guatemala Family,

Thanks to all of our donors, Casa Guatemala was able to successfully finish the school year at the end of October with a small celebration for our grade six and kindergarten graduates! We are so proud of all of our alumni for their arduous work throughout the Pandemic. It hasn't been easy. Their first year away was the worst, with only Whatsapp and phone calls to pass their homework to and from the students. In 2021 we were better prepared and thankfully we were able to have the kids from far away stay with us onsite so that we can provide face to face learning even though the school remained closed.

This year we successfully provided our services to 198 children of whom, 98 lived with us on site throughout the year while 100 came back and forth throughout the week to receive and review their work with their teachers. It wasn't easy, but this method allowed us to ensure that the students were getting back on track with their studies. We also decided to have their teachers from 2020 work with the same group of students in 2021 so that we could help any one that was falling behind. The plan worked and we were able to raise our students up to the levels they should be at now! Lots of kids still had a hard time while studying at home as many parents are not able to help them with their work, but we are satisfied that with the return to inclass studies in 2022, we will be able to continue to focus on those students who have fallen behind. 

Our graduating class have all passed the sixth grade and are currently applying for scholarships and placements for middle school. Our neighbouring community, Las Brisas del Golfete is building a brand new middle school which is where the majority of our graduates will go. We have also decided to create a new middle school scholarship program that will allow for selected students who have been living at Casa Guatemala throughout their elementary studies, to continue living onsite with us while studying in the village next door. This is a big help for many of our families who come from remote areas where middle school and high school are not available. We hope to be able to accept 4-6 students into our new scholarship program this year! 

Though we are not holding vacation classes this year, our staff are continuing to provide nutritional support through donations of food hampers to our families until the classes start again in the new year. Additionally, we are busy preparing for Christmas, where we will continue our long running tradition of providing a magical event for the children from the surrounding communities. There will be toys, turkeys and tamales for over 500 children and their families so there is lots to do in preparation. We are also working on the upkeep and reparation of our school, houses and mess hall so that they facilities are in excellent condition when the children return. After the flooding last year and the school being closed all this year, there is still lots of work to be done! 

Your donations to our campaign are what make all this possible! We can't do our work without our donors. So thank you for contributing to the education, nutrition and health care of our 198 children and their families who rely on us. 

Thank you so much for believing in our work. Together we are changing the world, one child at a time!

With gratitude,

Heather

Links:

• Changing the World, One Child at a Time