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What We're Up Against
In Guatemala, average schooling is four years
only 3 in 10 graduate from 6th grade
only 1 in 20 enter high school
2 million children do not attend school – mostly indigenous girls
half of Guatemalan women have a child before age 19
-by their early 30’s, many have 7 or 8
(according to USAID)
Education at Ak' Tenamit
For the 800,000 Q’eqchi Maya, Ak Tenamit and the Fr. Tom Moran Education Center is a unique beacon of hope.
So it’s no surprise that our enrollment for the 2008 school year is up almost 50% to 475 students in middle and high school. But it is a huge challenge!
400 are boarding students from remote villages – some an 8-hour bus and boat ride from the school.
They heard about our vocational training program in our restaurants and shops And our “Educate the Girls” program which is changing a culture which had girls drop out of school after third grade to help at home And the job opportunities, which exist after 3000 hours of hands-on experience in running every aspect of a small business.
Our task now is to give them the education they came for and need. We cannot turn them away. But we need your help now to do it! Please consider becoming a child sponsor.
Please consider becoming a child sponsor or making a donation directly to our Education Fund
CLASS of 2007- more girls than boys!
Our third graduating class from the Fr. Tom Moran Vocational High School consists of 22 students – 12 girls and 10 boys. The Q’eqchi custom has been for girls to drop out of school after 3rd grade to help at home with younger children. So this class is a heartwarming achievement and proof that Ak Tenamit’s “We Must Educate the Girls” program is working. Diplomas split evenly between Community Development and Sustainable Tourism.
Rotary helps!
Thirty-four Rotarians from District 6440 ( fifteen clubs were represented) journeyed to Ak Tenamit in late January for week of work. The team was equally divided between sexes and the women built as many bunk beds as the men (75 in all). A 50% increase in enrollment from 2007 meant that many students were sleeping on the dorm floor before the arrival of the Rotary team and will now remember this Rotary visit with fondness and gratitude.
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Volunteers are needed
For the 2008 school year which started January 15 and ends early November:
We need two English teachers for Junior and Senior high school
A social worker for the Community Development and Gender Department – minimum six months
A psychologist for counseling in the high school and HIV program for a minimum of six months
One advisor/counselor for the boy boarders with experience in coordinating teams and in youth work, starting now and finishing by November.
For more information go to Volunteer in the About Us section