Helping Students Help Themselves
Having recently celebrated 20 years of our foundation, this is a time to pause and reflect on the impact The School of Hope has had on the lives of students and their families. In pondering whether we are truly capable of breaking the cycle of poverty in Guatemala, we want to share with you a remarkable success story from our program.
Doña Zoila and her sons joined EFTC in 2006 when Selvin was in the 2nd grade and Obdulio was in kindergarten. In 2018 when both of her sons were in high school, Doña Ziola´s health began to deteriorate leading to Selvin and Obdulio often having to miss class as they juggled the roles of students and caregivers.
At the time, the cost of her medication would have been an insurmountable challenge for the family – an all-too-common predicament in a region where poverty intersects with limited access to healthcare.
Seeing the high need, EFTC took on this health case, providing consistent orientation as well as covering the expenses for the necessary doctor's appointments, diagnostic studies, and medication. This support allowed both young men to continue their education, knowing their mother was receiving the care she needed.
Today, Obdulio has obtained his high school diploma in electrical studies and has a stable job at a local grocery store. While Selvin is currently in university where he is studying Business Administration, in addition to his studies he also works at the same local grocery store as his brother. Now as well educated and financially stable adults, the two have embraced the responsibility of caring for their mother's medical needs.
This story embodies the core of our mission: the transformational power of education. Ultimately, what we do is about more than just addressing immediate needs – we cultivate resilience and self-sufficiency within our students’ families to create lasting change. And each individual success is a testament to the fact that changing lives and communities from within is possible. So, when asked whether the foundation is truly making an impact, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
