By Sheryl I. Fontaine

With the open arms of Amalia Vasquez, San Martín welcomed Debi Lyn Esquivel, Katherine Sanchez, and me when we traveled to Guatemala in January. Debi and I wanted to visit the newly-minted El Centro de Estudios (Study Center), and Katherine joined us to make the bi-annual distribution of PEX funds to sponsored students. With the gracious help and undying good humor of Luis Enrique de Léon, Director of Xela Aid's Clinic and Community Center and administrative supervisor of El Centro de Estudios, we rode daily to and from Hotel Modelo and the village, bought supplies, saw parts of San Martin that were new to us, and enjoyed good conversation and good company.

In June, using funds awarded to us by California State University, Fullerton, Debi and I had purchased a bookcase and storage cabinet for the Study Center and had begun to stock it with books, paper, pens, and pencils and other supplies that we often take for granted in the U.S. but that are sorely needed in San Martin. Thanks to donations from generous Xela Aid supporters (named above and on the El Centro de Estudios page of the Xela Aid website), in October we hired Juana Gomez Lopez to work as the instructor for the Center. Juana recently completed her teaching preparation with tuition assistance from Sandra Petersen and the PEX program. A dedicated and gifted teacher, Juana has established a rich curriculum for the 30-plus youngsters whom she has tutored. 

Even though January is still the official school break, 10-15 children from San Martin who had been identified by their teachers as being in great academic need, eagerly joined Juana each morning to work on their math and writing skills.  Debi and I had the pleasure of watching the children work and interact with Juana and one another. Juana worked individually with each child and also with the group as a whole.

Of course, the real fun happened during the mid-morning break when Juana pulled out the educational games that we had purchased for the Center. Little did the children know that while playing these games, they were building cognitive skills that can be applied to their school learning. Each time they beat me at the matching game (though I lost count of my losses, Debi captured most of them on camera!) the children were also honing skills that help in the processes of critical thinking and reading. 

During our visit, we were able to take inventory of the supplies that had been used since our summer visit. We then purchased an array of needed items, including kid-sized stools, notebooks, pencils, pens, paper, markers, crayons, erasers, small paint sets, and scissors. These supplies, added to the textbooks and story books that we had carried down with us (several of which were purchased thanks to the Barnes and Noble fund raiser Pat Florez and Katherine hosted in the fall), left Juana and the children with renewed resources. 

We also worked with Juana to make a list of additional books and supplies that the children need, much of which we will bring with us this summer when we return in June with the first Xela Aid volunteer trip to focus solely on children's education. We are also excited to announce that we will be bringing with us two lap top computers from the One Laptop Per Child Foundation (OLPC). Xela Aid Directors Colleen Dodds and Karen Edwards found this wonderful organization and graciously donated the first computer to the Center. 

We loved the idea of OLPC so much that we used our grant funds to purchase a second laptop for the children. With the Center established, Debi, Juana, Luis, and I would like, once again, to thank the donors who continue to help us to pay Juana's salary, supply the Center with school supplies, and add to the (growing) library of text and reference books. 

Maria Jose Reyna began work as the resident nurse at Xela Aid's June Russel-Glennon Clinic and Community Center in February.

During her first few weeks at the clinic, she saw 56 patients. In her first monthly report, she noted that she "takes vital signs prior to the doctors visit."  Afterwards, she "fills perscriptions and councils patients on sickness prevention, hygiene, child care, family planning and other related issues as they arise."

Those who travel to Guatemala on either of Xela Aid's June or August trips this summer will get to see Maria at work first-hand. Join Xela Aid's directors and the Community of San Martín in welcoming Maria to the Clinic team.

Xela Aid's San Martín Tots Preschool began welcoming students in January 2007. Since that time, it has served an average of 34 children each week--children who enjoyed recess just as much as kids stateside. The resulting wear and tear created erosion and low spots that filled with water and made for a muddy playground. But that has changed thanks to additional funding secured for 2008 which augments government funding and is allowing for needed improvements, school supplies, a living wage for teachers, and wholesome, hot meals for children.

A joint project between Xela Aid and the Guatemalan Government, in its first year, Xela Aid provided just the facility while the Government paid teacher salaries and supplies and snacks for the children. The project was insufficiently funded, however, and wouldn't have been able to continue.

Several Xela Aid donors have made it possible for the  preschool to continue, and to thrive. With  additional funding, teachers are earning a living wage, children have appropriate school supplies and are enjoying hot meals daily, and maintenance and upgrades like the paving of the playground (above) are being completed monthly.

Heartfelt thanks to Marisa Grimes, Roger and Sandra Case, Christine Green, Gloria Baldwin and Martha Saatjian for their generosity providing the monthly funding for the preschool; and to June Russel-Glennon who fund for the classroom, and Mel Dinkel, the kitchen facility.