Magical Classroom

Aula Mágica, New volunteer to the program, May 2019

Hello, my name is Gabryl Sam. I am a volunteer with Aula Mágica (Magical Classrooms). In the fall of 2017 I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Sustainability and an emphasis in Global Sustainability. I am a Native American from the Navajo tribe. Growing up on the Navajo Nation as an indigenous person I feel the importance in helping other indigenous communities. After being in Guatemala and visiting classrooms in the rural areas I have seen first hand the importance of these classrooms. 

On two separate trips we managed to visit five different classrooms in the department of  Retalhuleu and Quiché. Some classes were held at a formal school and the others were held at a member of the community’s house. The teachers are really making an impact to better their community, they are young, bilingual in both Spanish and their indigenous language, so they can communicate with the children. After seeing the children with their smiling faces eager to learn, I knew at that point that this was something special. In Magical Classrooms, we strive to assist children with fun interactive activities that will stimulate their learning. The classes will last no longer than two hours each day, Monday through Friday. In the classrooms we use different techniques from visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. What we focus on with the children, to name a few, is knowing their ABCs, numbers, shapes, and colors. We do this by reading to the class, singing along to music, arts & crafts, and social interactions. 

From visiting and traveling far into these rural indigenous communities, I have seen first hand the need for schools in these areas with high levels of poverty. With the lack of government support in these communities it is hard for children ages 4-6 to have a basic education before the 1st grade. Magical Classrooms assists children in the crucial time in their life to build the foundation to succeed further into their education.

 See you soon!