Thumbs up to Xela AID's new computer labs, says Martín!

COUNT 'EM, THREE!

We've had a wonderfully busy summer. In June, "Proyecto Educativo" focused on education projects; "The Dewell Group," motivated mothers and their sons and daughters from Santa Barbara, traveled in July; and the "Veterans" group made up almost entirely of returnees and Xela AID directors completed their trip in August.  

Here is a bit of what we accomplished, with more detail to come in this and future newsletters. We: 

>  Worked side by side with our partners to reinvigorate a garden, planting chiles and cabbage. The caretakers' charge: Make this is a "sustainable garden," where profits from sales fuel future plantings.

> Arranged for and staffed educational field trips for children to learn in a new setting, and helped them with English which they are excited to learn.

> Completed art mentoring projects, nurturing creativity, building confidence, and creating a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to connect with the children of San Martín.

> Built capacity with Xela AID's Leaders of the Future Group in business planning, including a small business that they will launch and run soon. 

> Empowered our Leaders and Fair Trade Weaving Cooperative members as each group worked together to identify two families in extreme poverty, chart a plan for home improvements, then partner with Xela AID to implement those plans ("Change a Life" projects).

> Opened Xela AID's first two computer labs (see story at left). 

> During these trips, SIXTEEN children were sponsored for school scholarships through our PEX program!  

By Rachel David, Xela AID Volunteer

I've read before, "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." I cannot think of a better way to describe my trip to Guatemala with Proyecto Educativo, Xela AID's volunteer educational assistance program.

Working with preschool through high school aged students for 14 days, my group and I (made up of mostly English instructors from Cal State Fullerton and a nurse from Long Beach) taught lessons in English, organized games and field trips, and restocked their Centro de Estudios (Study Center) with various craft and educational supplies. At the end of the two weeks, this first time out-of-the-country traveler boarded the plane to go home much richer than when I left.

I walked away from this trip humbled, and with the renewed belief that each of us, no matter how small or large our contribution, can make a significant impact. I was exposed to a new culture; selfless children, teachers and volunteers; and a country with breath-taking scenery.  

Now that I am back, I am homesick for Xela!

*** 

Many thanks to each of Proyecto Educativo's volunteers for 2012, which included Sarah Bereiter, Rachel David, Coralyn Foults, Jennifer Liddel, Terry Liddell, Sarah Maestas, Rachel Murphee, Chris Ruiz-Velasco, Beth Saur and Amber Tavasolian. The trip was led by Xela AID Director Sheryl Fontaine. 

See Rachel's PHOTO ALBUM 

Lorenzo, far right with Ashley Snider and three other children she sponsored this summer through Xela AID's PEX Educational Sponsorship Program.

Lorenzo had about lost hope. At 17, he is the oldest child in his family and has had to cope with an alcoholic father and the recent loss of a brother.  

As the oldest, the responsibility of helping his mother buy food falls to Lorenzo - he had been using the dollar or so needed each day to get back and forth to school and to buy school supplies to buy food for his family, instead. He values education, and one day wants to be an architect or an artist; he didn't think he would be able to continue in school.

Lorenzo's situation changed when Ashley Parker Snider stepped in to sponsor the young man (and three others!) this summer. Lorenzo received his first distribution of funds September 1, and will now be able to continue in school!

"There are no words to express how grateful I am," Lorenzo said upon learning of the sponsorship. "This is the only thing that could have made it possible for me to stay in school!"

For their generosity in sponsoring children this summer, we thankKira Fay, Kolleen Greenwald, Karen Ingram, Kristin Linehan, Frank Long, Michelle Knowles, Rhonda Porter, Ashley Parker Snider, Sue Rikalo, Ron Truppa, and Moon and Miles Waters, Mel Dinkel and Leslie Baer Dinkel!

See our PHOTO ALBUMS of Sponsored Students,  

and those still Seeking Sponsors.  

Cost of sponsorship depends on grade, and starts at just more than $1 a day ($375 per year!). To learn more or to make it possible for a child to be empowered for life through education, contact Pat Maxwell.