Education in Santa Cruz
We work exclusively out of the public school. Our main reason for this tactic is to model for the young students the importance of education. In order to participate with our team, they have to be in school. (Of course, kids who aren't normally in school show up in droves, and we are happy to have them!)
Since the immediate avenue out of poverty for these people is to begin their own businesses within the community, we began teaching the children the basics of business through a fun, hands-on program called BizWorld. Through this program, students form friendship bracelet making businesses to experience what it's like to take out loans (with our fake money), "buy" their supplies, address quality control in production, learn about markeing, and eventually to make a profit by selling their bracelets to our team. (One year, the students formed note card design businesses. We sell them on this site and send the proceeds to Santa Cruz.) The final step is for the students to experience what it's like to enjoy the fruits of their labor. With the fake "money" we used to purchase their bracelets, they get to shop in a store of exciting things kids love, which we bring with us.
Since the immediate avenue out of poverty for these people is to begin their own businesses within the community, we began teaching the children the basics of business through a fun, hands-on program called BizWorld. Through this program, students form friendship bracelet making businesses to experience what it's like to take out loans (with our fake money), "buy" their supplies, address quality control in production, learn about markeing, and eventually to make a profit by selling their bracelets to our team. (One year, the students formed note card design businesses. We sell them on this site and send the proceeds to Santa Cruz.) The final step is for the students to experience what it's like to enjoy the fruits of their labor. With the fake "money" we used to purchase their bracelets, they get to shop in a store of exciting things kids love, which we bring with us.
Now here's some REALLY amazing news!
Since our involvement in Santa Cruz, and with our committment to working out of the school to impress upon the village the importance of education, more children are attending school - and they stay in school longer! Enrollment in the public school (grades K-6) has increased from about 100 kids to over 250! A new kindergarten building had to be built to accommodate all the new first-time students!
Jose
In 2006, our team did an exciting project called S.N.A.P. (Seeing Necessary Alternatives Photographically). We gave one-time use cameras to the kids in grades K-6 and asked them to take pictures of people and things that were important to them.
We also asked the kids to write short essays telling us about what changes they would like to see in their villages.
We also asked the kids to write short essays telling us about what changes they would like to see in their villages.
Jose wrote that he wanted to go to school "until the last possible year." He also said that he wanted the adults of the village to learn to read and write. Jose wants to be a teacher.
The fact that the children couldn't go on to 7th grade without having to leave their village - and the fact that they were in danger on the long walk to the next village - really bothered us. We were so inspired by students like Jose who wanted to continue in school. And we were very touched that Jose would consider the well-being of the village adults. So, together with our partner college, John Brown University, we hired a husband and wife teaching team, Hugo and Susana, to start a middle school (grades 7-9) in the village. The school, Casa de Luz (House of Light), is in its third year of operations. There were 23 students the first year. In 2010, there are over 50! And four students have gone on to attend high school outside the village. It costs $800 a year for each student to attend high school. We sponsor one of these students, Brenda, and co-sponsor the middle school students.
One other venture our team undertook to encourage continued education in Santa Cruz was to take the first class of 23 Casa De Luz students and their teachers to Guatemala City, their nation's capitol, for a three day/two night field trip. None of the students had been out of the village before, and we wanted them to catch a vision for the wider world and the potential for their involvement in it. It was a powerful opportunity for the students, as they experience many "firsts": first time in a hotel, first ride on a Ferris wheel, first time in a restaurant and mall, first time in a movie theater (Wall-E). They also visited the Presidential Palace, the National Library, and the National Zoo.
In addition to teaching the middle school children, Jugo and Susana teach the adults of the village how to read and write. Jose's dream is becoming a reality, and Jose is now in grade 9.
The fact that the children couldn't go on to 7th grade without having to leave their village - and the fact that they were in danger on the long walk to the next village - really bothered us. We were so inspired by students like Jose who wanted to continue in school. And we were very touched that Jose would consider the well-being of the village adults. So, together with our partner college, John Brown University, we hired a husband and wife teaching team, Hugo and Susana, to start a middle school (grades 7-9) in the village. The school, Casa de Luz (House of Light), is in its third year of operations. There were 23 students the first year. In 2010, there are over 50! And four students have gone on to attend high school outside the village. It costs $800 a year for each student to attend high school. We sponsor one of these students, Brenda, and co-sponsor the middle school students.
One other venture our team undertook to encourage continued education in Santa Cruz was to take the first class of 23 Casa De Luz students and their teachers to Guatemala City, their nation's capitol, for a three day/two night field trip. None of the students had been out of the village before, and we wanted them to catch a vision for the wider world and the potential for their involvement in it. It was a powerful opportunity for the students, as they experience many "firsts": first time in a hotel, first ride on a Ferris wheel, first time in a restaurant and mall, first time in a movie theater (Wall-E). They also visited the Presidential Palace, the National Library, and the National Zoo.
In addition to teaching the middle school children, Jugo and Susana teach the adults of the village how to read and write. Jose's dream is becoming a reality, and Jose is now in grade 9.
Brenda - the girl we sponsor for high school
Adult learners with Susana
Part of the store we bring with us for the kids
Shopping day!
The peluches (stuffed animals) are their favorite!
...and this isn't even all of them!
Jose's essay
2010 students of Casa de Luz
Casa de Luz students and teachers in Guatemala City
Hugo, the teacher, helps Hugo, the villager, learn to read - now that he has his new glasses (read more about it on the Health page)
Business Education Pays Off
The 50 plus students in the middle school have been through many years of our BizWorld program. Did all that fun education make a difference? You bet it did! Read more about it on the Economics page.
