Education for Impoverished Guatemalan Youth

Last week was Semana Santa, or Holy Week in Guatemala. Antigua Guatemala is known around the world for its beautiful and colorful Holy Week celebrations. There are many different traditions celebrated during Semana Santa. Every day of the week, processions can be seen marching through the streets and the streets are lined with stunning sawdust carpets. A typical alfombra is made from sawdust, wood chips, corozo nut, pine needles, and various seeds. Sometimes they even include fruits and vegetables! 

Common Hope's Youth Club, alongside some of our amazing volunteers, came together to build one of these beautiful carpets that are typical of Semana Santa celebrations. Called an alfombra, creating such a carpet requires team work, companionship, and patience. Not to mention it really tests the students gross and fine motor skills, creativity, and attention to detail. 

The process started one week before when the group met to plan out their design, organize the materials they would need, and assign tasks to each group member. Some worked on coloring the sawdust and some created the stencils they would use to create their designs. This planning process ensured that when it came time to build, the students would have everything they needed. 

On the Wednesday of Holy Week, the carpet came together beautifully just the way the students had envisioned it. Their planning and teamwork made the project a success. Our staff was proud to see the students working together in a fun and creative way outside of the classroom while still exercising some important skills!

In what ways do you see students using their skills and creativity? Do you agree that it's important to give students educational opportunities outside of the classroom?