2023 has been a year of many successes and much sadness for the San Pedro Education Initiative.
The Successes
First, the six students with scholarships administered by the San Pedro Field Lead, Javier Navichoc, have all successfully completed their academic year, and all will continue their studies in 2024. Three students were in university (two in Social Sciences and one in Commerce). These students worked during the week to earn money and they attended classes on the weekend. It takes six years to complete a degree at this rate. ICO helps by paying for university fees, materials, transportation and, at times, other living expenses. One student finished her six years of class work in December and will do a social work practicum in January. Two more San Pedro students were in secondary school and one just started in grade one.
Second, the students in Chaquiyá returned to full-time classes after a very difficult two years of Covid disruptions, with school closings and distance learning. In the Basico (junior high), 19 students completed their third year, and all are planning to go Diversificado (senior high) in 2024 at various schools in the region. Thirteen students graduated from the local senior high school (which focuses on an administration curriculum). It is difficult to find jobs in Guatemala but this school helps students, both in academic classes and workshops, to prepare for setting up their own businesses, and most have plans to do that locally.
Chaquijyá high school graduation class of 2023
Jesus Toc
Our Initiative and the community of Chaquijyá suffered a great loss in June of this year with the unexpected death of our Field Lead, Jesús Toc. We began working with Jesus Toc 15 years ago when he approached us for funds to help set up a community junior high school in his village of Chaquijya. He had benefited himself from educational support as a young man and had been able to study at university and attain a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering. He devoted himself to improving the lives of his people and of the natural sustainability in his village, in the larger department of Solola and in the Western Highlands region of Guatemala.
Following Jesús’ death, we were able to engage our other Field Lead, Javier Navichoc, to take over local administrative duties for a few months until we were able to set up a new system, working directly with the directors of the junior and senior high schools. We have known these two directors for a number of years and have confidence in their ability and dedication to continue Jesus’s work. We plan to meet with them regularly on Zoom to work out any problems that arise.
Olga, one of the scholarship students in San Pedro
