Why Guatemala?

After researching and visiting a few countries, Robert Kent found a community in Guatemala that is a safe place to invest Compassionate Eye Foundation's (CEF) funds.

Seventy-five percent of the population of Guatemala lives below the poverty line.  In many rural communities like Comitancillo, basic medical and educational programs are inadequate or literally nonexistent.  Many times children, some malnourished and ill, must work for meager wages in order to help sustain a family's subsistence.

Another Canadian organization, Alianza, had people on the ground and connections in the community that helped facilitate CEF's ability to start up projects here.

Our first school

The story of our first school.

In the outlying villages of Guatemala, education receives very little government funding.  In the village of Bella Vista, the school had one teacher and 45 students sharing a small, single classroom.  As a first project, Compassionate Eye Foundation (CEF) provided funds to purchase property and to build a second classroom in Bella Vista.

Completed in 2005, the school now has two classrooms, two teachers and over 60 students in grades 1-6.  In 2009 CEF partnered with school's parent committee to provide the school with electricity and build a safer play area for the students.  The success of this project became the inspiration for our future.

More new schools

Loma Linda receives a new three-classroom school.

Loma Linda is a small village in Guatemalan highlands, which is home to 235 indigenous Mayan people of the Mayan-Mam community.

In January 2010, the community celebrated the inauguration of their new three-classroom school that provides enough room for 25 girls, 32 boys and two teachers.  Compassionate Eye Foundation (CEF) coordinated with a local non-governmental organization to manage the construction of the school that was built to replace an existing one-room building.  As Loma Linda voluntarily assisted in the construction of their new school, the people in the village used the needed resources to construct a better future for the youth of their community.

Prior to the construction of the new school, the lone teacher was responsible for all grades.  With a new school, the consejo, the community committee responsible for education, was able to request a second teacher.

During CEF's visit in March 2010, Board members had the opportunity to not only see the school first hand but also to meet with one of the teachers, the consejo, and the entire community in a round table discussion.

The visit to the community was very successful.  CEF plans to continue to work with the community in education, health care and sustainable economic development.

Scholarships for youth

"scholarship program" gives village youth a chance to continue their education

Initiated in 2006, the "Scholarship Program" was created to provide an opportunity for children in Bella Vista to continue their studies after grade 6.  Until 2009, the government of Guatemala only provided education to the completion of grade 6.  Although the government has now eliminated the monthly fees for education post grade 6, the costs of textbooks, uniforms, gym clothes, school supplies and excursions make it nearly impossible for students to continue their education.

Keyboarding and computer skills are part of the curriculum and require that the students travel to Comitancillo where they have access to computers.  Compassionate Eye Foundation is also funding transportation and Internet café costs to ensure that these students have the opportunity to learn these basic computer skills.

The first language of students from this community is Mam.  In Guatemala, Spanish is the country's official language; the language of education and employment.  Consequently, continued education is necessary for the development of Spanish language skills in order to make these students competitive in the job market.

Currently there are seven students in the Basico scholarship program, grade 7 to 9, and one student in Diversificado, which is equivalent to high school.

In November, 2009 the first Basico scholarship students graduated from grade 9 and received the first Diversificado scholarships.  One of the third-year Basico students has expressed a desire to study nursing.

The nearest major centre, where most career programs are offered, is four hours away from this community.  Ideas are being explored to prepare these students for their need to move away from home so that they can take advantage of educational opportunities in a variety of careers.  With continued support in this community, and the example that the current students are modeling, it is anticipated that we will have interested applicants each year.  It is clear that the current amount of arable land in Bella Vista can no longer endure further subdividing to sustain future generations of farmers.  The lifeline for these students is education so that they can become employed, productive citizens.

In addition to the scholarships for students in Bella Vista, CEF is supporting two students at INTECAP (Instituto Técnico de Capacitación y Productividad).  INTECAP is a well-recognized, well-equipped technical school located in a few areas of Guatemala.  The closest campus is in Quetzaltenango, commenly known as Xela, the second largest city in Guatemala and offers a variety of programs.  Following graduation from a three-year program both of these students have the potential to return to their home community in Comitancillo as trained auto mechanics.

Much needed books

support for students and teachers

In the town of Bella Vista, Compassionate Eye Foundation is supporting the local school and its teachers by providing Spanish language, culturally appropriate books and materials.

Preschool program

mothers are given a chance to go
to pre-school too

Preschool begins at age 5 in Guatemala and continues until children attend grade 1 at age 7.  The government provides a teacher in communities where there are 15 children eligible each year.  Bella Vista, a small Mayan-Mam village, has had, at most, 9 children eligible in any given year.  In January 2008, Compassionate Eye Foundation (CEF) started a pilot preschool program in which mothers also can attend.  The program has been very well received and has been continued.

The first language in this area of Guatemala is Mam.  CEF believes that earlier exposure to Spanish will ease the transition into school.  The day's activities include a variety of typical preschool activities including learning colours, letters and numbers in both Mam and Spanish.  The students also benefit from a snack program which helps to improve nutrition.

The community built a temporary structure to house the preschool program as Bella Vista currently has two classrooms for all grades 1 to 6.  CEF plans to build a proper preschool structure in 2010 and to continue funding the preschool program.  In fact specific donations have been received to help fund this very successful program.  There are currently 14 children attending preschool on a regular basis.

CEF receives monthly attendance records and reports from the teacher.  Members of CEF met with the preschool teacher in March 2010 and were extremely happy to see the advancement of the students in the Spanish language skills and the fantastic relationship the teacher has with all the students.

Playground

The soil around the Bella Vista school becomes very slippery and slick during the rainy season.  This significantly reduces the opportunities for the students to play outside.  In November 2007 a playground area with basketball hoops and soccer nets was completed.

Helping teens grow

"young people accepting responsibility" program helps teens prepare for a more responsible adulthood

Helping students aged twelve and up become better prepared for adulthood is the goal of the Compassionate Eye Foundation (CEF) funded program "Young People Accepting Responsibility".  In the villages of Chicajalaj, Tuizacaja, Los Bujes and Taltimiche, students from grades 7, 8 and 9 participate in classes covering such topics women's rights, child rights, self-esteem, relationships, and sex education.  The presenters, the staff of CEF's partner Alianza, consult with the classroom teachers prior to the lessons, assess the students' knowledge and conclude with a quiz and an evaluation.

Preparing youth for careers

Compassionate Eye Foundation (CEF) is currently working with INTECAP (Instituto Técnico de Capacitación y Productividad) to provide scholarships to youths studying for technical careers.  In its first year CEF has provided two 2-year Automotive Mechanics scholarships.  This scholarship covers tuition, school materials, transportation and room and board.  CEF is very excited about expanding this program in 2010.

Learning about forestry

discovering "green" alternative income sources puts village on path to economic sustainability

Like many small villages in Guatemala, the people of Bella Vista have limited options when it comes to earning a living.  Many families, including children, are often forced to travel away to the coffee plantations, the fincas, where they earn meagre wages.  To help improve economic sustainability, Compassionate Eye Foundation aligned with "As Green As It Gets", an organization based just outside of Antigua Guatemala, which provides agricultural income producing alternatives to local villagers.  Typically trees with a variety of purposes are recommended, and then the resources can be sold at local markets.  In addition, "As Green As It Gets" works alongside members of the community to create business plans, teach necessary skills and techniques and provides ongoing support.

Support for women

supporting a women's group supports a community

Compassionate Eye Foundation (CEF) has funded a program developed by its partner Alianza, which educates women on topics related to health, education and social justice.  Since CEF's inception, CEF has consistently donated to local women's groups in support of their efforts to provide programs aimed at improving education, health services, and personal safety.

Helping mothers and babies

pre and postnatal sessions help mothers and babies start off on the right foot

Compassionate Eye Foundation (CEF) funds a much needed 12-month pre and postnatal program that offers education and supplies to the women of the San Marcos region.  Women join the group at between 3 and 4 months gestation and exit when their babies reach the age of 6 months.  Services the program provides include weighing the babies every two weeks, distributing food supplies (corn, milk powder, eggs, and cooking oil) and vitamin supplements twice a month, and giving newborns a set of clothing and a blanket.  Additionally, a portion of the CEF donation is set aside for emergencies such as transportation to the regional hospital, ultrasounds, or consultations with specialists.  To date, the results of this program have been healthier mothers and babies, higher birth weights for newborns, and fewer illnesses during the first six months of life.

Support for grandmothers

grandmothers get support from foundation

Through a donation from Compassionate Eye Foundation, the staff of Alianza, a Canadian Foundation, has provided support and education to a group of twenty grandmothers living on their own.  The women receive a monthly delivery of staples (corn, milk, beans, eggs, sugar, and oil) and participate in workshops on topics such as hygiene, balanced diet and exercise.

Bringing in clean water

help can be as simple as bringing in clean water

In the isolated village of Nueva Chicajalaj, water for its inhabitants was drawn from a hole in the ground below an old storage basin located in a nearby field.  To improve the water supply and the lives of the community's residents, Compassionate Eye Foundation funded the installation of a simple system of PVC pipes leading from a clean source further up the hill down to the community school.  Seizing the opportunity to expand on the project, volunteers working in the region raised funds to provide the school with a kitchen stove and community members provided materials to construct a kitchen.  This project has taught us that no action is small when it impassions others.