The San Pedro Education Initiative has been supporting seven individual students to go to university and local schools. One young woman is in her last term, working on her thesis for her graduation from the Department of Social Work at Rafael Landivar University. Another young woman has just started studying law at San Carlos University in Solola. She will study evenings for six years to complete her program.

Following the death of our long-time colleague, Jesus Toc, we have reorganized our method of communication with the two schools in Chaquijya. The directors of the two schools, junior and senior high school, have become ICO members and we communicate with them directly.  This new system is working very well.

Sixteen students graduated from the senior high school at the end of last term (in December) and the new academic year began in January with full classes.  

The schools have finished a covered outdoor meeting and sports area and completed a computer centre, which is used by both the schools and the community. This construction was done with local labour and ICO-funded materials.

The senior students have been involved in seminars focusing on problems in Guatemala, and in finding ways to eliminate violence within their community. They have also used new musical instruments (from ICO funds) to take part in local festivals and parades.