Educational Needs

Education is such a precious aspect of life… and it is not given the support or resources that it, our children and leaders, needs.

The ILAG, here in Guatemala, has two schools in Guatemala City for primary school. These schools are a necessity for the children that are attending. For while every child here has the right to be educated, when public school class sizes are capped and you do not make the list, if you cannot pay to go to private school… you do not go. In the communities of internally displaced many children do not make the list and by no means can afford to attend a private school… these are the communities with which the ILAG school’s provide opportunity, and hope.

The children pay a modest fee… by paying a fee to attend, they are more likely to attend as it feels more valuable to them… and wear uniforms. While considered private schools, there is no requirement at these two schools that the children be Lutheran to attend... in many communities the children have to be Catholic to attend secondary school as it is the only one available and the school requires all students to be Catholic.

The ILAG, however, needs to renovate one of the schools or the Department of Education will not allow them to remain open… which will leave those children without an opportunity to go to school. At this point, the ILAG does not have the funds to renovate, and are hoping and praying for support from the United States and their sisters and brothers in Christ.
Email me aolson@luthersem.edu or ilag@intelnet.net.gt if you want to know more.