ICOatitlan

Hello to all!  

We just wanted to let you know how things are going in San Antonio. 

So far, there have been no COVID cases in San Antonio. It is hoped that schools will open at the beginning of February. Although there are still no tourists to buy weavings and pottery, a few visitors are trickling in from the capital, and there’s a little bit of business. For now, we are continuing with monthly food distribution to the neediest families.

Families are so Appreciative

German passing out beans

Ronaldo helping load the food

This week marked the start of the Christmas holiday. Students had to get all their completed assignments handed in, in order to pass their year. The Casita has been going full bore, as Evelyn and Lidya, the two teachers, worked tirelessly with over 50 kids coming to the Casita in groups, to help them with the concepts they needed to get through their assignments. Now the Casita will be closed for 3 weeks of holiday. Since there are now no COVID restrictions in Guatemala, things finished up with a bang — a big fiesta. 

Ancianas enjoying Tamales

Lunch for the Students

Petrona, Lidia and Evelyn receiving their gifts

The Casita Team enjoying their Christmas Lunch

The Children received Surprises from Candelaria

The Students Christmas with Punch and Tamales

The Ancianas (elderly widows) were all presented with special Christmas food to help them through the holidays. 

Candelaria shares a special moment with the ancianas

Petrona Distributing Food to the Ancianas

The Ancianas December Birthdays

Our scholarship students have been working hard this term, keeping up with assignments and doing online courses whenever possible. Right now, interviews are in process to identify more poor, bright students who could join the program in the coming year. Here are some of this year’s students — kids who wouldn’t have a chance at an education without financial support from ICO.

Scholarship Students

So, thanks again to all of our donors for enabling us to offer these programs. Your gifts have made a huge difference to this community. All of us — the volunteers here on Vancouver Island, and all those Mayan families in San Antonio — wish you a very warm and peaceful Christmas, and a happy new year.

Un abrazo fuerte,

La Casita Team