Another School Year Ends

Dear friends,

The school year has ended for students in the school we are supporting in the community of El Triunfo in Guatemala. When the pandemic first started, I could not envision that the school would be able to complete one year successfully, let alone two. It’s a great tribute to the work of the school’s leadership, including community members, teachers, parents who sent their children to the school in large numbers this year, students for their commitment to learning as well as all of the supporters who provided financial support to keep it all going.  

With a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases locally in late September, health restrictions eased allowing three days per week of in-school activities for the final month of school. Gregorio, the school director, was also able to attend a game of the local soccer team for the first time in two years, which was a wonderful treat for him.

Students in July 2021

For the first part of November, Gregorio continued to work with a number of students who hadn’t quite yet met the minimum requirements to advance to the next grade to help them finish their work. And last week a small ceremony was held for the graduating students in the grade nine class. I hope all of them will be off to high school next year.

I’d like to thank all of you for your continuing support of the project. If you would like donate to the school to help pay the monthly salaries of the teachers, here’s the link to give online: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/casa-pueblito/

(If you are donating online, please indicate the amount, then under “Apply your donation to a specific fund set up by this charity” select the second option which is “El Triunfo School.” You may also wish to indicate that your donation is for Ken’s School in the note.)

For those who prefer to send in a cheque payable to Casa-Pueblito, please note that they have a new address.

Casa-Pueblito

2356 Bloor St. W, Toronto, ON

M6S 1P3

ATTN: El Triunfo School Project

Thanks for your continuing support.

Ken

PS – I am back selling the beautiful products from Asociacion Maya including scarves, purses and more on most Saturdays in front of my residence in the Danforth/Coxwell area of Toronto. Fairly traded coffee from Guatemala is also available. Check out the products here. If there is something you don’t see which you think I might have (ie – placemat sets), please ask!