All the Way From Bedford, New Hampshire
Students from my New Hampshire school district banded together for one week to help the Guatemalan children; elementary schools, middle schools, and my high school worked together in a large effort to raise supplies in a short period of time. Seeing this collaborative effort from my town over an issue that was non-community based was [...]
Escuela Rural Mixta Canton Xeabaj
Close to the border with Departamento Solola, Escuela Rural Mixta Canton Xeabaj #1 is a tiny mountain school. It is remote, and far from any conveniences, like electricity and toilets, but the children are happy to be in school. Like most rural schools, it takes most of the early morning to get to the school, [...]
The Singapore-Guatemala Connection
Saudah’s Reflection: The Pencil Project has been a very enriching experience for me. This is the first time our group is working with an overseas organisation. When The Pencil Project was first introduced to our school campus, most of the students thought that it was an organisation that sells pencils to fellow schooling children. But [...]
Folk Art “Tour of Guatemala” Bedspread Raffle ($500 value)
When my godsons in Quiche, Guatemala were both 10 years old, I made the decision to buy them shoes and walk them down the mountain and register them in school for the first time. They were working and living at the time in a three-sided tin shack, much like the cattle feeders I remembered as a child in Texas. Their work included cutting indigenous textiles, and making pillow cases for export to resorts and tourist destinations. One would cut with giant, hand-forged scissors, while the other would treadle the Singer with blocks tied to his feet. This was not an unusual situation for two boys to find themselves in, as the entire region is dedicated to textile weaving and sewing. At least they were boys, and could use the machine…..girls had to rely only on hand embroidering and back-strap looms to earn their daily bread.After their grandmother passed, the boys and I spent some time trying to decide whether they should come to Austin and live, or continue in basically the same situation....
Update on Raffle
As of Thursday, May 15th, 2012: 58 online tickets have been sold! The drawing for the winner is coming up at the end of May. Thank you to all our supporters! Remember only 100 total online tickets are available. You still have an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child in the highland village schools. Just click on the PayPal button to purchase your ticket! Buy one for your Mom, sister, daughter or spouse for Mother’s Day! Tell a friend about the Pencil...
