Guatemala News Archive

A New Supporter's Perspective on EFTC

Written by Administrator | 11 February 2011

A total stranger is introduced to our charity - read what he thinks about EFTC after just two days. It's truly inspirational.

FAIRNESS

Quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) outraged by how things are. Vast inequality/ the status quo is unacceptable. To those according to their need; from those according to their ability. Giving something back (from people lucky enough to have been born/educated in the developed West) is a GOOD (in fact necessary) thing. Internationalist in outlook (what happens there affects things here.)

DOGGED DIRECT ACTION

Do something! Undaunted, even by seemingly overwhelming obstacles. The tortoise not the hare. Every little helps. Do it ourselves. Volunteers. Sponsors. Donors. It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness. The environment (murder; abuse; intimidation; grinding poverty; poor health) is extremely challenging. Future oriented. The power of possibility.

HEART

Practical compassion - some people are in desperate situations. We can help them, even if we can’t help all of them. The importance of smiles. Learning should be fun (even when it’s hard.) Encouraging creativity. Enabling sponsors to make a difference. Donating can be challenging and exciting. A big element of emotion alongside the rational in everything EFTC does. Importance of individual child sponsorship - a heart connection for life. Hope Bringers (again a rational and emotional benefit).

INTENSELY PRACTICAL

Whatever works: if kids need fed, it’s food. Or a stove. Or water filter. Education is the most productive way to transform individual lives quickly (for X input you get X-cubed output. And it can spread like a positive virus.) Style is down-to-earth. Discipline needed to get things done. Sentimentality clouds judgement. Sustainable growth important - in it for the long-term. Despite the importance of HEART it needs to be quite hard-nosed.

BELIEF IN THE POWER OF EDUCATION TO TRANSFORM

Not just to change at the margin but change fundamentally how things are. To break the cycle of poverty. To help students have happier individual lives - and make the society ‘smarter’ too. Helping people help themselves. Education feeds itself. Has social impact far beyond learning how to do maths - learning how to think. The most productive input we can bring (actually better than money.)

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Our New School

Written by Emma | 19 January 2011

Our New School "Escuela Proyecto La Esperanza" - The Grand Opening

We are delighted to announce that our new school opened its doors for the first time on Monday 17^th January 2011!

Our new purpose built school is located on the La Azotea in the valley of Jocotenango just three kilometers from Antigua. The new site replaces our current primary and secondary schools in San Felipe and Jocotenango which we had been renting since 2008. It is big enough to educate up to 650 children, has 20 classrooms, a computer lab, an audio visual room, library, kitchen, psychology room and much more! The Azotea complex is set in beautiful green surroundings and will also provide the children with access to a sports field, something we haven't been able to provide before.

The opening ceremony saw the new school packed with; children and their families, Foundation staff from Guatemala and the UK and many other friends and supporters of the Foundation. The day was incredibly emotional which reflected in speeches made by; Founder and Chairman David McKee, Amy Holly (who has recently joined the Guatemala Team), the British Ambassador to Guatemala Julie Chappell, Director Patty Castillo and also in particular Nancy Galvez Ramos who has been with the foundation since 2004 (when she was 5) who gave an incredibly polished speech to the 650 present - very impressive!

Another exciting development for the Foundation sees two of our ex students joining our staff in Guatemala. Cindy Alejandra, Benitez Castillo graduated in business administration and joins us in an administrative capacity and Cesia Noemi, Acajabon Oseida graduated as a primary teacher and is teaching our 3rd grade.

We are so excited to be able to help each child at our new school reach their full potential and break free from a life of poverty and we are committed to making our children part of a real centre of excellence.

We couldn't have done this without our supporters - Thank you so much to everyone that has made this dream a reality and in particular: Colin and Marie Goodall, Hero Investments, St. James’s Place Foundation, The Premier League, The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement, Open Gate Trust, the British Embassy in Guatemala, Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation and WEP. Also a big big thank you to Ricardo Pokorny and Katie Cunningham who sold us the plot of land at the La Azotea at a massive 75% discount, and to architect Pierre Turlin who worked tirelessly at a hugely reduced rate. And of course all of our regular sponsors and donors, without you none of this would have been possible.

To see Revue Magazine’s (Guatemala's English-language magazine) article on the opening ceremony click on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/5r3k67s

Graduations 2010

Written by Christine Harry | 01 November 2010

October 2010 saw the graduations of our final year Primary and Secondary students.

The Primary graduation was a very happy occasion; the class is the first to complete the full 6 years of Primary with the Foundation. (See picture below)

The Secondary graduation was a very proud night for the students. Many students in Guatemala do not graduate from secondary school so this is a wonderful achievement and we are delighted that all forty-nine Secondary graduates will be continuing their education through our scholarship programme.

In June 2010 we were devastated to lose one of our most promising students, Ana Maria Del Cid, to what was believed to be Dengue Fever. She would have graduated last week and at the Secondary graduation Ana Maria's family and friends paid tribute to her life. To keep Ana Maria's memory alive we have introduced an annal Leadership Award in her name. This will be given out annually to the top student of our graduating Secondary class. This year it was presented to the first winner, Luis.

We are so proud of our students and all of their achievements- thank you to all our supporters for giving these children the opportunity to study.

Ahead of the start of the new school year in January, Foundation staff are now visiting the poorest families in the area to find other children who need our help.

Primary_Graduation

Peace One Day

Written by Administrator | 11 August 2010

EFTC are taking part in the UN International Day of Peace, on 21st September 2010.

The Peace One Day Campaign began in 1999 and aims to create peace between nations and non-violence in our homes, communities and schools. Peace Day is relevant to every human being on the planet. For more information go to - http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/welcome.

Women's Health Day

Written by Administrator | 11 August 2010

EFTC organised a Health Day for the mothers of the children in our project.

The families associated with the project have very limited access to healthcare and EFTC has taken some steps to help the community improve their standard of living.

New Primary School Library

Written by Emma | 14 June 2010

Escuela Projecto La Esperanza now has a quiet reading area.

In April 2010, Child Aid kindly donated us over 500 reading and text books, which enabled us to push forward with a reading programme.

Guatemala Committee

Written by Emma | 02 May 2010

EFTC has set up a new committee in Guatemala to help us to raise our profile, fundraise and to help us make certain decisions in country.

Ambassador & Mayor Visit our Schools

Written by Administrator | 10 April 2010

Julie Chappell is the British Ambassador to Guatemala. She heard about our project and came to look around the schools and learn a bit more about what we do.