Guatemala: Empowering Teachers and Schools
In communities across Guatemala that are known for violence and high crime rates, The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) is working hard to provide a place of refuge for students and members of the community. The Salvation Army Guatemala Division operates six pre-primary and primary schools in the southern part of the country, all within about three hours’ driving distance of Guatemala City. For this project, SAWSO has been supporting five of these schools.
The Problem
Located in the poor communities of Mezquital, Tierra Nueva, Limon, and Colonia Maya, these schools not only provide an education for children, they also are critical to The Salvation Army’s ministry in Guatemala—despite being surrounded by criminal gang activity. Guns and violence in these poor neighborhoods are a part of daily life. The schools provide a safe learning environment for the children, and even provide support for parents such as socioemotional training and a food pantry when supplies are available.
The schools had been relying on tuition fees to pay all operational costs. However, given the paltry means for poor families to pay even modest tuition, these schools have struggled financially as a result. Instructional material and equipment were insufficient, and until recently, teachers have not been able to receive adequate pay.
The overall effect of the above factors, combined with several others such as inadequate resources for instructional materials, teacher professional development and infrastructure needs, has impacted the quality of education offered, and has limited student enrollments.
The Solution
Specializing in ongoing educational support in countries around the globe, SAWSO began supporting this work in 2020, and has been providing temporary operational resources in these Guatemalan communities. SAWSO’s goals for this project are for the schools to attain financial self-sustainability, and for the quality of education provided by the schools to improve.
To reach these goals, SAWSO has stepped in to support The Salvation Army Latin America North Territory. Together, they aim to transform the five primary schools into renowned centers of educational excellence for children of families disadvantaged by poverty, and to attract more families and serve as a center for community engagement and outreach.
A two-year professional development program was provided for schoolteachers, principals, and administrators. Salvation Army school teachers have been working to develop critical skills such as active learning, literacy instruction, assessment, and inclusion. These necessary skills will improve teaching in the long run, as well as learning in both formal classroom and after-school program activities.
The professional development program also offered skill building with financial management and administration, and community engagement. The community engagement aspect was critical for providing guidance on how to work with parents to improve home learning environments, and important capacity in the face of future pandemics that impact schools.
Much of the teacher training in this project has been implemented by PRODESSA, a Guatemalan education NGO. PRODESSA’s focus on inclusion, community engagement and localization is uniquely suited to The Salvation Army Latin America North Territory’s ministry in localized community-based education.
Through PRODESSA, teachers developed skills in:
- Active learning strategies that support hands-on student participation and development of critical thinking and other higher order cognitive skills
- Subject-specific training (literacy, math, English, special needs, etc.)
- School monitoring tools and skills
- After-school remedial and enrichment activities
- Engagement with parents to improve home learning environments
SAWSO has also been able to allocate funds for temporary salary aid, as well as support and funding for other classroom needs. Funding and training teachers is the catalyst that will help transform the schools into the educational hub and community center that their neighborhoods need.
The Impact
The five Salvation Army schools in Guatemala provide more than just an education to children; they serve as major sources of community outreach and offer many avenues for the faith-based work of The Salvation Army. The teachers and principals of these schools show up ready to provide a safe and encouraging environment for children. With a love for Jesus and a passion for helping children grow, they work to set the next generation up for success.
“We are always here as teachers, regardless of the circumstances that may occur with nature or the environment in the community,” Kendy Diaz said. Diaz is a primary school teacher who has been proudly working at The Salvation Army school in Tierra Nueva for six years.
Teachers and principals at these schools are passionate about sharing the love of Christ with their students. “We support [the children] first of all by bringing them the word of God,” primary school teacher Patricia Ordonez said. “Our mission is to give them an education with Christian values so that they can be blessed in their families and have the word of God in their homes.”
To support the work of SAWSO including vital education programs like this, please visit www.salarmy.us/world-service.