Hello

Since our last newsletter, schools closed, reopened, and are closed again. For now, students in rural San Martin are attending school only two days a week. Students in virtual classes cannot take full advantage of on-line learning because they lack smart phones and computers. Even when households have access to the internet and electricity, services are often intermittent and of poor quality. Students have been seriously impacted by the pandemic and their learning loss severe. 

We do have good news. Students at our Learning and Skills Center attend face-to- face classes every day and patients are treated at our health and dental clinics. We continue Covid precautions and wearing masks is mandatory at our Center and Clinic. 

Your donations provide the necessary resources needed to continue our work - keeping kids in school, vocational training for young adults, and providing health and dental care for the most vulnerable people in rural Guatemala. 

We are grateful for your contributions. Thank you. We ask you to please continue to support our programs.  

Lois & Ken Werner

Co-Founders

P.S. Today, August 29, diesel fuel is $5 gallon.  

CULINARY ARTS STUDENTS GRADUATE

The pandemic slowed them down but didn't stop them. 

Classes started, stopped, and started again.

It took 2 1/2 years to complete a one-year course but they never lost their motivation.

Chef Claudia was a little emotional during the graduation celebration.

"These were my first students here. I have enjoyed knowing them and I will miss them".

The students prepared a delicious buffet showing off their new skills.

It was an honor to celebrate their accomplishments.

30 students attend baking classes each week.

Chef Josue teaches them the art of making decadent

deserts and delicate pastries. These determined men

and women are working hard to improve their futures.

Meet our junior high school students. 

Watch this short video.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE STUDENTS IN OUR

SCHOLARSHIP AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

YOUR DONATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES THAT CREATE

CHANGE FOR GENERATIONS.

67 ADULTS COMPLETED REPRODUCTIVE

HEALTH EDUCATION CLASSES

Eileen Ranscht, in coordination with our health and education teams,

conducts workshops to teach men and women in the remote

villages and parents of our scholarship students about our

bodies, gender equality, respect for each other,

benefits of birth spacing and family planning methods. 

"No one told us this information" said Silvia

"It's difficult to talk to our children" said Kimberly

"Our children get wrong information from the internet but we don't know it" said Carla 

In her workshops, Eileen teaches students the correct

 information so young people understand  the facts about their bodies.

Scholarship students in 9th grade completed Eileen's classes in August.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fewer than 20% of indigenous girls graduate from high school

76% of indigenous people live in poverty in rural areas in Guatemala 

In Guatemala, 50% of children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition. 

WHY DO WE EXIST?

OUR MISSION is to promote human advancement through health, education, and community development initiatives in Guatemala.

OUR GOAL is to affect long-term change in families and entire communities.

OUR VISION is that one day all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education, all families will be healthy, and all communities will thrive in rural Guatemala.

OPPORTUNITIES CREATE CHANGE

TO LEARN MORE AND SEE HOW

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE