Starting the Dream

One of the only ways to combat abject poverty is to receive an education.

The children in Chukumuk, Guatemala have a wonderful elementary school built by the Spanish government. Most families find it difficult to scrape enough money together to buy their children school supplies. Aldea Maya, Mayan Families and Pueblo a Pueblo offer sponsorship to some of the students in the elementary school. Unfortunately there is not enough money to be able to help all 500 plus students in the school. Often families have to chose which child gets to go to school.

Aldea Maya does buy beadwork at fair trade prices and we are able to help more children go to school by helping the families earn more money.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child contact us at js0922@telus.net .

It is wonderful if a child graduates from grade 6. This child is able to speak Spanish and can read and write. Most parents did not have the opportunity to go to school. Todays generation is the first to possess these skills.

However a grade 6 education will not bring a child out of poverty. Before January 2012 there was NO Basico ( middle school) in the village. If a family could scrap enough money together to pay for supplies and fees there was not enough money left to pay for transportation to the nearest middle school, located in the closest town over 3 km away. Basico takes place in the afternoon and it can be dangerous for a young girl to travel home alone in the evening when school ends.

Aldea Maya starts a Basico

In January 2012 Aldea Maya started a Basico in the village of Chukumuk. It is a community school. It was made possible due to the community forming a parents group and the director of the elementary school, David, filing in the hundreds of forms.

The school is suppose to be a joint project between Aldea Maya, Chukumuk community and the government. The government of Guatemala has approved of the school but not contributed one cent for the first 5 years of operation.

Aldea Maya has received a donation of 2 microscopes from Vancouver Island University. As well as a $1000 donation from the Qualicum Beach evening Rotary International.

Aldea Maya has paid for all the teachers salaries, textbooks, gym equipment, art supplies and music equipment.

We also offer mini sponsorships to students through our Christmas card sales. These are some of the students that had their supplies and school fees paid in 2012.

In 2012 we had 40 students start first year Basico. By the end of the year we had 25 students. Students tended to quit school because they found it too difficult or the family needed them to go out to work to earn money.

We  selling $40 Christmas cards to buy their school supplies and to help  pay their school fees. If you are interested in purchasing a card email js0922@telus.net

After 5 years of operation the Guatemalan government started to pay the teacher and administration salaries.

In 2023 there are 75 students in the Chuk Muk middle school and 4 of Aldea Maya univeristy students work at the school.

Marvin tutoring

Marvin teachers mathematics to grades 7, 8 and 9. He is in his second year of his masters in Mathematics and physics. He is also a certified computer teacher. He was a student that received his school supplies by our Christmas card sales in 2012. He has had full sponsorship with Aldea Maya since 2013. He has been on our Guatemalan board for 5 years.

Pedro is the middle school administrator. He also teachers computers and accounting at the middle school. He is in his first year of his MBA in 2023. He has been sponsored since 2014. He has been on our Guatemalan board for 4 years.

Miguel is the middle school entrepreneur course teacher. He is in his 5 year studying education. Initially he received his school supplies through our Christmas card program. He has been sponsored since 2014. He has been on our Guatemalan board for 1 years.

Josefa is the middle school bookkeeper. She specialized in bookkeeping in high school. She is in her 4th year of university studying social work. Initially she received his school supplies through our Christmas card program. She has been sponsored since 2014.