local girl scout troop lends helping hands
Last December we had the privilege of meeting a co-leader for a local girl scout troop at a vendor event where we were displaying Guatemalan handicrafts for sale. The more we talked about the efforts of our nonprofit organization, the more we realized that her girl scouts would enjoy partnering with us as a means of earning Girl Scouts’ Silver Award. It is always a treasure to work with scout troops and school groups because we have the unique ability to shape youth for years of selfless acts of giving and charitable service work.
Earlier this year I was invited to a troop meeting to talk more about our nonprofit’s work and the project we are implementing this year. I told them about the library and technology “lab” we are building, and also the health improvements we will be making via stove and and water filter installation. They listened thoughtfully and then interviewed me, asking pertinent questions to show their interest and involvement.
Between the girls and their troop leaders, I could tell that their brainstorming efforts would lend us a great deal of support and meet the objectives of their Silver Award goal. Following are just some of the ways they are providing us support:
- The girls are being taught how to sew so that they can design and create 25 tablet covers, enough for all of the tablets that our nonprofit is providing to the elementary school in Canton Rio Camanibal, Chichicastenango, Guatemala!
- The troop is designing and ordering drawstring backpacks (for carrying books and school supplies!) such that all 147 kids enrolled at the school will get one!
- The girls and their families have donated wonderful items for the charity rummage sale we are having next week, including designer clothing and fashion accessories, home decor, electronics, and more!
The girls have also been working on a Spanish language video that we will share with the students in Guatemala to introduce themselves and explain their project — cultural exchange at its finest! I’m proud to facilitate their learning and impressed by their hard work and dedication. Thank you so much for your kindness! To all of our supporters, enjoy these photos of the girls and a mentoring grandmother learning how to sew and make tablet covers:
The “right” opportunity arose when I learned about a travel opportunity for adoptive families which would include volunteer work and cultural sightseeing. Being members of that team had a profound impact on me, Lillian and Andrew. Not only were we able to make a real connection to our son’s birthplace, but we met incredibly warm and generous people, all of whom we now consider to be a part of our “family.” In addition to the volunteer work I shared with the Team, I also was able to “give back” by performing as my alter ego, “Farfel the Clown” at a barbecue for children of The Backyard School. It will remain one the proudest and happiest memories of my life.
We feel so privileged to work hand in hand with such a great organization. I believe we are all growing through this process. It is a blessing to be a blessing to others!
This is awesome!
Girls this is wonderful! Kudos to you for helping the children of Guatemala. They are very appreciative! Please ask your leader to contact me at Rose Glen School in Waukesha. We do projects for a school in Chichicastenango, too.
Hi Susan,
The school that we will be supporting this summer came by referral from Victor, a mutual friend of ours! I wonder how far away Flavio Rodas is from Canton Rio Camanibal, which is where we will be? If you have anything that you want me to deliver to Chichi for you on behalf of Rose Glen, feel free to contact me privately!
Jennifer
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[…] you recall, some local girl scouts are helping us with sewing tablet covers for the tablets that we are providing to the elementary school. I shared some photos from their […]