You’re Making a Difference Here
GUATEMALA
In Guatemala, where over 50% of the population lives below the poverty line, socioeconomic status is one of the biggest barriers to accessing a quality education (World Bank 2013). The average length of schooling for a Guatemalan child is only 4 years and 24.1% of the population is illiterate (US Aid 2014; World Bank 2014).
Pencils of Promise works with 165 communities in Guatemala to ensure our students overcome these, and other, barriers to accessing a quality education. To date, PoP has impacted over 219,137 lives in Guatemala.
QUICHÉ REGION
Quiché is a mountainous region located in northwest Guatemala. PoP’s base in Quiché is in the city of Nebaj, which is about five hours northeast of our Guatemala headquarters in Xela.
To date, we’ve built 165 schools in the region and plan to continue to scale our builds, along with teacher training workshops, across PoP schools in Quiché.
Before Where Much is Given Foundation’s Impact
Previously, many pre-primary and primary school students of Aldea Nueva Esperanza lacked access to formal classrooms. These students attended class in provisional structures made of wood, metal sheets and wire, supported by wooden poles. The original structures were generously provided by the community; however, they showed signs of deterioration, evidenced by rusty corrugated metal and worn wooden beams. Additionally, there was a group of students taught in the community hall. The lack of a proper school building hindered student engagement and learning.
Through Where Much is Given Foundation’s Impact
Thanks to the Foundation’s gift, PoP was able to partner with the Aldea Nueva Esperanza community to break ground on a four-classroom school. The Aldea Nueva Esperanza community has proven successful in prior community projects and remained very excited and engaged throughout the entire build process. Now, every student of the new Aldea Nueva Esperanza Pre & Primary School has access formal, dedicated learning space complete with desks, chairs, whiteboards, and classroom furniture for the teachers.