We believe that education is the foundation for economic development. We know that children learn best in their mother tongue. We believe in experiential learning. We believe that education is a community wide effort. 

 

Public education in Guatemala, particularly in rural communities, is woefully inadequate, with children finishing sixth grade still unable to read, write, multiply or divide.

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The scholarship program supports students studying secondary school and students studying at all levels of university preparation. Along with maintaining grades, they are required to volunteer in Grupo Cajola’s programs, which gives them some practical experience in the areas they are studying. 

 

XNQ preschool provides experiential learning based in the Mam language and culture, the involvement of parents, based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy of learning.

 

David Jimenez Learning Center offers remedial and enrichment learning experiences to the students who attend 5 days each week for two hours each day in classes of ten or less students. The Reggio Emilia philosophy is also applied here. 

 

Sunday Reading Circle provides weekly opportunities to delve into stories. Led by volunteer scholarship students, the children hear a story then have activities that deepen their understanding.

 

Computer Lab provides classes for students and teachers in the use of computers. Access to technology remains severely limited in Cajola, these classes introduce students and teachers to the basics of the computer along with basic software. 

 

New Community School is an exciting longer term project we are just beginning. We have nearly seven acres of land and the design for a school for 440 students from preschool through middle school. We are about to begin fundraising!