Construction Day 4

Today we spent the morning at Escuela Kemna'oj de Santa Maria de Jesus.  The school is run by From Houses to Homes Guatemala and provides an education for 100 children from 3 years of age to grade 3. Santa Maria de Jesus is a very poor community. They only have water for a few hours every other day. From Houses to Homes Guatemala has built over 100 homes in this community and has been committed to assisting with the educational and health care needs of the families.  The families pay no tuition and education sessions are available weekly for mothers and monthly in the evening for fathers.

We were so touched by the children.  They were excited to share their work, songs and hugs. They were so proud and happy to be at school.

 

The school uses a Montessori model and the children are taught in both English and Spanish. The current long term goal of the school is to educate the children through 6th grade. Education can dramatically change the cycle of poverty. Santa Maria de Jesus is primarily a Mayan community and most of children's parents have not had the opportunity for an education. Afterschool support is also provided at the school to assist with homework completion and reinforcement of key concepts.







School rules

 

You can imagine the challenges of running a school without an adequate  water supply. The toilets are unable to be flushed and hand washing is a challenge. Currently they are leasing space for the school and building a new school. The new school will have underground cisterns  and a grey water re-use system to collect and clean rainwater for use. Rooftop photovoltaic panels will absorb and convert solar energy to provide for the electrical needs of the school space. From Houses to Homes Guatemala has raised 300, 000 of the total 500, 000 dollars required to complete the school. The architect for the project is Guatemalan and is collaborating with an American architect. The project has only employed workers from Santa Maria de Jesus. Another way to give back to the community.

The new school will also have 2 rooms that will be used as a health clinic for the children. The most common ailment is digestive problems. Creating a generation of children with knowledge about proper hygiene and nutrition, paired with access to healthcare can help to change health outcomes.

Please see the From Houses to Homes website for additional information about the school.www.fromhousestohomes.org.    They are currently looking for sponsors for the children at the school. You can sponsor a child for 60 dollars a month. This will provide education, health care, school supplies and daily lunches for a child and allow the project to be sustainable long term. From Houses to Homes will provide you will updates on your sponsor child every three months.


House update: We have poured concrete flours in the house and tomorrow the house will be completed. It just needs a roof , a window and a coat of paint tomorrow. Hats off to  the team.  Parents, you would not believe how hard your teenagers have worked!  The work ethic has been incredible. They have demonstrated phenomenal kindness and compassion with the family. The best moments have been when they read with the children. We bought one book for each child and the students read to the younger children or patiently listen as the older children read to them. Moments to treasure, we could not ask for anything better! Ms Sabbagh and Ms Lee, you would be so proud!

Tomorrow is our last day! Thank you parents for sharing your adolescents with us for this incredible week. Thank you Woods for supporting this project. Amanda Ketner  has been an incredible mentor to these children and a  joy to have on this trip. I know as parents we never get to see our children at their best! We often hear of those moments when they are with others. I have seen your children at their best! Rest assured you have raised self- confident, compassionate, responsible children that will go on to do great things in their lives.

Dawn