English Classes
Our nonprofit works in Chichicastenango Guatemala, a municipality containing over 90 communities. 97% of people there speak a Mayan language called K’iche’, while roughly 2/3 also speak Spanish, the official language of Guatemala.
Chichicastenango is a cultural mecca and as a result often has an influx of tourists, especially on Thursdays and Sundays which are market days. Being the largest outdoor market in Central America, flocks of tourists come to experience the cultural splendor and wide variety. Being able to speak English gives the residents a marketed advantage in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Moreover, the ability to speak English is also a huge advantage for any students studying business, finance, foreign relations, industry or technology.
One of the students that has gone through our scholarship program has also become a fluent English speaker and is now co-teaching an online English class to help youth and adults acquire the language. In addition to paying him a fair wage, there are expenses for teaching aids, classroom materials, books and incentives.
Please consider being a part of this educational process!
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.