Help Launch a Preschool in the Village of Joconal

Our first year of preschool is quickly coming to a close. We have watched the students learn and grow. Over the past couple months, they have moved far beyond their ABC’s. They are learning about all the types of transportation. In science, they are learning about the process of plants. In language arts, they are learning new vocabulary and the parts of a story. Thanks to support from the community and volunteers, our students have learned so much.

Our teacher, Juanita, and volunteer, Flory, have been working with the kids to make sure they are all ready for next year, especially the students moving into 1^st grade. Flory has volunteered her years of experience as a PHD in Education to make sure Juanita is meeting standards with each and every one of our students. With help from a parent volunteer each day, our students are receiving an incredible education. There are so many investing in the education of these kids.

One of those people is a dedicated grandmother. Isabel lives at the top of a mountain with her children and grandchildren about 25 minutes from our preschool. One of those grandchildren, Helen, is in our kindergarten class, so Isabel walks her granddaughter to school and picks her up every day, while Helen’s parents work.

At the beginning of the school year Helen was struggling in school. She began school with a disability that caused her to struggle with the reading exercises. Early on, our teachers were concerned that her disability would prevent her from progressing. Helen’s mother was worried, but that didn’t stop Isabel from making that hike every day to get little Helen to school. This persistence paid off.

In just 5 months, Helen was not just reading, but has memorized and recited the Guatemalan pledge of allegiance in class. To put just how incredible that is into perspective, many students graduating from 6^th grade struggle with memorizing the pledge. The words are advanced and hard to pronounce, but Helen can rattle it off perfectly. None of the teachers would have guessed that Helen would be the student to excel.

We are confidently sending her to 1^st grade next year certain that she will thrive in school. There have been many people that have played a part in that success. I hope you know that you are one of those people. Thank you for being a part of their story!