Education is one of the key factors for effectively breaking the cycle of poverty which plagues the developing world. In highland Guatemala we help communities break out of this cycle by providing the necessary funds for impoverished families to send their children to school. Currently only 58% of children attend school, which is evidenced in Guatemala´s high illiteracy rate.

Although education is highly valued in Guatemalan families, a lack of rural schools, the expense of transportation, registration, study materials, and uniforms keep those families living in poverty from giving their children an opportunity to attend school. As many of the families we support are struggling to put food on the table, they are often forced to pull their children from school in order to contribute to the family's income. Girls are specifically at risk of being denied an education because their domestic skills are culturally regarded as more valuable than those skills they would exercise in the work force.

In order to combat the financial burdens families face in sending their children to school, we provide the necessary funds that help cover educational costs and/or replace the meager wage the child would have earned if he or she had been working instead. Pop Wuj, our local partner, finds a school, transportation, and the necessary supplies for each child in the scholarship program. The progress of each student is closely monitored on a monthly basis through communication with students, teachers, and parents. The families of scholarship recipients are required to stay involved with the education of their children if they are to continue receiving funds. In monthly meetings each community works together to send the maximum number of students to school. It is in this way that we offer impoverished children the choice of becoming a school teacher or an operator of a business rather than a seasonal farmhand.

We currently provide scholarships for approximately 130 students. Typically each family receives $13 US per month, though this amount may increase or decrease depending on need. For the children, this small amount of money determines whether or not they will be literate as well as the quality of lives they will lead.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

La Asamblea de Becados, December 12, 2012

Every December Pop Wuj hosts a year-end event for all scholarship recipients and their families.   In December 2012, the Annual Scholarship Assembly (La Asamblea de Becados) started with a health check-up for all scholarship students, followed by several speakers, and acknowledgement of the students who graduated from 6th grade and 9th grade (the end of básico).  The day included a typical Guatemalan meal and a "paca" to generate income to help cover the expenses of the day.  All students left with a bag of new school supplies to be used in the 2013 school year.

Jose
In addition to Carmen and Rony, several students also spoke about their education and future opportunities, thanking those who have supported and encouraged them along the way.  Jose, a former Family Support Center participant and current scholarship program participant, spoke about his plans to continue his studies at Tecnológico Don Bosco in Xela in 2013. 

Gladis, a former scholarship program participant, also spoke to the students and families.  She just graduated from university with a law degree and cited both her family's support and the Pop Wuj project as key factors in achieving her goal.  Gladis emphasized that all of the students in the program are capable of achieving their goals, but they must study and not marry as teenagers.   


Gladis
Pop Wuj provides partial scholarships for over 130 students, from kindergarten to university.  In 2012, Pop Wuj's project supported 66 primary students and 72 secondary students.  Seven students completed 6th grade and nine students completed básico (the equilvalent of 9th grade).  

We're looking forward to another great year of educational support in 2013!

Becados from Chirijkiak

Becados from Tierra Colorada and Xecaracoj

Becados from Llanos del Pinal

Becados from San Juan Ostuncalco

Some of the becados from Xeabaj II