Creating Educational Opportunity for Maya Children

Like many of our supporters around the world, you are probably participating in widespread social distancing efforts to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, in your community. As the virus spreads throughout Guatemala, Pueblo a Pueblo is doing the same.

In early January, all sponsored students visited our office to receive a backpack full of the supplies they need to succeed in school this year. However, after almost three successful months of classes, our partner schools were forced to cancel classes to comply with social distancing measures imposed by the Guatemalan government.

At Pueblo a Pueblo, we recognize our ability to protect our most vulnerable friends, neighbors, and family members through social distancing. By limiting our contact with others, especially in large group settings, we can ease the burden this virus is likely to place on our rural Guatemalan community.

As such, Pueblo a Pueblo has suspended all in-person meetings and educational sessions to minimize the risk of exposure to our partner communities and our own team. Our staff will work remotely until further notice.

In this time of crisis, we will continue to stand by the students we have committed to support. We will continue to provide access to subsidized healthcare for all beneficiaries of the Primary Education Scholarships project. As resources permit, we will also deliver food baskets to the families of those students most in need.

This pandemic has brought challenges to families and communities around the globe. It is already affecting Pueblo a Pueblo’s ability both to achieve our project goals and to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and beneficiaries.  

As we work to execute a swift and effective response, please consider making a donation to this project today. Thank you in advance for your generosity—the future of our support for students here on Lake Atitlán depends on it.

Links:

• Primary Education Scholarships at Pueblo a Pueblo

On October 30, Sandy Mendoza went to Chukmuk Primary School to attend a very special ceremony. It was an exciting day for the sixth graders of Santiago Atitlán. They were celebrating an important milestone: their primary school graduation.

Sandy was there to support the graduating students who receive scholarships from Pueblo a Pueblo. As a key member of the Primary Education Scholarships team, Sandy has been with these students every step of the way. She has visited their homes to check in on them when they’ve had a tough time in school. She has spoken with their teachers for updates on their academic progress. She has given them encouragement and tough love in equal measure. 

One sponsored student, named Diego, had a special role in the day’s festivities. As recognition for earning the highest grades in his year, he carried the school’s flag when he and his classmates filed onto the stage.

Diego and the other sponsored sixth graders have overcome a lot to finish primary school. They all come from families that believe in the importance of education but struggle to make ends meet. For many sponsored students, a scholarship from Pueblo a Pueblo is the only way they can attend school at all. Many of them are the first in their families to graduate from sixth grade.

During the ceremony, each student received a diploma, shook hands with the principal, and smiled for a picture in front of the Guatemalan flag. The room was filled with powerful emotions. One student’s mother approached Sandy for a tearful hug, thanking her again and again for “all you’ve done for my son.”

In January, Diego and the other sponsored graduates will begin seventh grade with the support of donors like you.

Your donations make it possible for students like Diego to attend and excel in school. Thank you for believing that economic need should not be a barrier to education. Your support fuels sponsored students' success!

Links:

• Primary Education Scholarships at Pueblo a Pueblo