Creating Educational Opportunity for Maya Children

The school year is coming to an end and we’re excited to announce that 17 of our sponsored students will be graduating from the 6^th grade! As you already know, this is no small feat. In Guatemala only 60% of students who started school in the first grade complete the 6^th grade. The situation is even worse in rural, indigenous communities like Santiago Atitlan where 44% of the population remains illiterate. A variety of factors keep children from completing their education, but one of the biggest is that families often lack the money for pay for basic school supplies and uniforms.  

Take Micaela’s story, for example. Earlier this year, Micaela (pictured below) was almost certain she wouldn’t get to graduate. She’s the youngest of eight children and her parents were struggling to provide for her education. Every day to help out she would make beaded bracelets to sell to tourists on the main street in town.  

One day Micaela’s teachers at the Panabaj Primary School identified her as an ideal candidate for Pueblo a Pueblo’s support because “she’s both dedicated and responsible,” according to Johanny, our project manager. Since then, Micaela has been able to focus on her studies rather than worry about affording to stay in school. This October she's one of our 6^th grade graduates and dreams to become a lawyer!

This is why we’re so thankful to all of you who donate to our Creating Educational Opportunities project. If it weren’t for you, so many students like Micaela would be unable to complete their primary school education.