Lets Be Ready

On May 2, 2015 a group of community members came together in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island, WA to enjoy an evening of dance and raise funds for much needed preschools in Guatemala.

Teri, the dance organizer, had seen firsthand the need for preschools during her 2010- 2013 Peace Corps service in Guatemala where she also met Fred Zambroski, founder of Lets Be Ready program. Ever since her return, Teri had wanted to raise funds for the program. The evening was billed as “something for everyone” with dance demonstrations of Tango and belly dance, then moving into a participatory activity of East Coast Swing lesson, followed by a swing dance to live music by a band that generously donated their talents for free.

Guests commented that they appreciated that the event was for a good cause, and some had also journeyed to Guatemala. Two posters hung at the doorway which showcased photos from Lets Be Ready so that they could see the children who would benefit from their support. About 50 people attended the Dance Benefit, many adding a bit extra to the $10 admission cost. The event raised a total of $530 which exceeded the goals that Teri had set. The key lessons learned are the following: plan an event that builds a sense of local and international community; make it fun; ask for help and contributions; offer FOOD; and report the fundraising results to the attendees. A sign of success is when everyone asks, “When is the next dance?”

EDUCATIONAL CENTER SMALL BUT READY
GLOBAL GIVING
                                                                               February 2015
February began classes at different preschools.
The children were very happy to start in their small schools. The teachers began routines, new experiences and inolved  the parents in the various activities of their children's education, while implementing a new program to evaluate the vocabulary of our children in the project which Margarita Bejarano is responsible for. This program allows us to measure the progress of the language of our children.

We are organized in our small schools with support from principals, parents, and COCODES (communitiy oraginzations).  The teachers organize their own communities involving everyone in the acheivement of ther goals. Our teachers demonstrate a vocation of service to their community. We take into account our cultural environment providing bilingual teachers for their Mayan language for interaction and communication of families and children ocialization of children within the school.

Margarita is doing language assessment with BRACKEN School Readiness Assessment THIRD EDITION which is done by showing the child the book of the assessment. On each page of the book there are pictures of which one is the correct answer. She uses a guide (which is what is on the table), where she writes the child's response).We also had a visit from Erik, a speech therapist, who helped with the language assessments program He visited Santo Domingo and San Antonio Frijolitos Xenacoj.

Teachers are using recycled materials to help children achieve their creativity, and give them have the knowledge to care our mother earth. They create environmental awareness in their communities they inhabit and instill the concepts of not throwing garbage into rivers, lakes, seas, streets, and create a healthy environment.

One teacher is using music combined with scribling with crayons, which the children enjoy..

Many teachers started the year with the Star Book The Hungry Caterpillar, using it to review the days of the week and the fruits associated with what the caterpillar ate, and each day is assigned for each fruit. They made a caterpillar with a disposable bottle, then periodically the children made balls to form his body and head of the caterpillar. With chopsticks they made its antennae, its base was the disposable bottle.

Thank you for those SMILES, AND SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION IN GUATEMALA.
BLESSINGS GOD BLESS.