Wednesday, October 23, 2019

GUATEMALAN SCARF SALES

GUATEMALAN SCARF SALE IN
VICTORIA


VIDEA FAIR TRADE FAIR
at First Metropolitan Church Hall 
Saturday, November 23rd from 10 to 4
932 Balmoral, Victoria

BUY A GORGEOUS HANDWOVEN GUATEMALAN SCARF or MAKE A DONATION AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT instead of exchanging gifts with family, workmates or friends, and make a huge difference in a Mayan family's life. (Stop by to see our beautiful gift cards.)
Thanks to your generous support over the years, most people in the village now have clean burning, fuel efficient stoves that have replaced dangerous open hearth fires, and we will continue to maintain them so they are safe and working well.

Two years ago with input from parents, teachers and community leaders we established  a much-needed Learning Centre and Library for San Antonio's children, who were falling behind and dropping out of school as early as Grade 6.  It has been a huge success. We are also  continuing  with our lunch program for very poor elderly widows.

FINALLY! A New School for San Antonio

Almost 10 years after the landslide that destroyed their school, over 500 children of San Antonio are finally going to be moving into a new permanent school building. If all goes according to plan, the students will begin the 2020 school year in their new school. 




As with most Guatemalan schools, this one is only built to receive half the students at one time. Students will attend in morning/afternoon shifts. There is some complaint from the community that the school is already too small for the number of students who need an education. However, it’s a huge improvement over the hot and crowded conditions of the hastily-constructed ‘provisional’ school that has housed the students for the past 5 years. 

The tract of land that ICO purchased is slated to be the playing field for the students. It’s not right beside the school, but close enough for PE activities and football games in a community where there is very little space to run and play. 

So how will ICO next be involved? The Guatemalan government is only committed to constructing the shell of the building. All amenities like furniture, library books, computers, etc., must be provided by the community of San Antonio. Our team has collected enough money to help in some way. Last February, two of our volunteer team – Susan and Mary – met with the two principals of the provisional school (who will probably move with the students to the new structure) to discuss the needs of the new school, and how we might help most effectively. This discussion is still continuing. We hope by this coming January/February, when the students move in, to have a clearer picture of how we can most effectively enhance the learning environment of the new school. Will keep you posted!