Empowering Indigenous Youth for a Healthy Future

As 2022 comes to a close, we reflect on Rising Minds’ ability to stabilize, realign, and redefine.  The organization has worked diligently to adapt our programming to meet the needs of the San Juan La Laguna community. The pandemic has altered lives, systems, and interactions. Communities all over the world are demonstrating how resilient they are. In-person classes have been inconsistent since 2020 as Guatemala has continued to  work to mitigate the spread of recent COVID variants. Through hands-on and engaging curriculum and activities, Rising Minds is providing important social-emotional learning, physical fitness, and academic enrichment opportunities. The effects of the pandemic are far reaching and kids have lost valuable learning time. 

In 2022, Rising Minds hosted 42 weekly academic enrichment classes, 42 outdoor adventures, and 35 English and Tz’utujil classes. We are continuing to stay vigilant, but in-person programming is a top priority for Rising Minds. Schools will revert back to full in-person learning this year, with classes every day. We are looking forward to reestablishing our health, nutrition, and social-emotional and programming with our partner pre-school, CEIBI, and expanding our after school enrichment program. Addressing physical, behavioral, and mental health is crucial as we adapt to a post-pandemic world. Continue to follow along and offer your support as the Rising Minds team continues to navigate the effects of the pandemic. 

The Rising Minds Team is busy preparing for the end of the 2022 school year. Both our in-school health and wellness program and our youth group have been enjoying weekly activities and adventures with Bonnie, our community health educator. 

In-person classes are still inconsistent as the country works to mitigate the spread of recent COVID variants. Adopting an alternating schedule, students have in-person classes 2-3 times a week, and educators rely on remote work models and homework to make up for the class time missed. Our enrichment program has proven to be invaluable during this unprecedented time, providing structure and academic reinforcement in a time that it’s most needed. 

Health and wellness are as important now as ever. As students begin to navigate a post-pandemic world and adapt to the current circumstances, addressing their physical, behavioral, and mental health is crucial. Bonnie has begun explicitly teaching social-emotional learning skills and competencies such as  self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. SEL is key in boosting students’ academic performance. Furthermore, the focus on community, connections, and relationships ensure that students feel safe and supported in and outside of the classroom. This focus on social-emotional health is crucial at this time. When kids feel safe and supported and have necessary skills and competencies, their physical and behavioral health will be supported.