In the rural community of Xojolá, where Child Aid plans to begin work this year, the school director, Alejandro Guarchaj Mas, shared his thoughts with us about his community’s need for educational improvement. Mr. Guarchaj explained that without substantial support from the government, their community has been left without adequate resources in their schools. (To put this in perspective, Guatemala spends $133 per year per primary grade student as compared to $10,548 spent in the U.S.)

“We need the program Child Aid offers,” he said. “There is not enough work in our communities. The children have to learn how to do what we do, but better. With better education, the children here will be able to develop new and effective ways to grow, produce, and sell coffee, bananas, and artesanía,” without leaving their communities.

This year, thanks to our donors, Child Aid will begin our reading program in Xojolá and help the community create its first public library ever. For the community’s children, this will mean greater educational opportunity, and for Mr. Guarchaj, it will be the realization of a dream.