Scholarships & Training for Rural Guatemalan Women

On January 19, 2014, the first meeting of the new school year was held.  The theme of the meetings for this year is "Being a Leader in the Indigenous Community".  Workshop Leader, Emila and Program Graduate Cristina  led the activity for this meeting.  The young women were photographed in pairs to give them an opportunity to interact and to get to know each other better.  The students also had an opportunity to discuss their current academic and personal goals and family situations with the Education Program Coordinator, Carmela Paz Bal.  

Sandra Cecilia is very happy to begin a new stage in her education. She will start her high school career training in Medicine.  Her parents work in agriculture and want all of their children to succeed in their studies.  They have high expectations for their children.  

Adela  will graduate as an accountant this year.  She wants to get good grades and be successful in her practice in an accounting office and seminar project.  She also will help her mother at home.  Her father will work in agriculture more this year as his church postion has ended.  Her siblings are all studying except for one who, because of the cost of school, will wait until next year to begin his career training. 

Paula del Carmen  is in her second year of career studies this year. She enjoys her studies in Childhood Education.  Her mother doesn't have steady work and is weaving typical blouses for the family.  Her mother and her two older brothers are looking for work, but still haven't found any.  Her younger brother is working weaving napkins.  Her other siblings are in elementary school.

Reina  is excited about graduating this year,  She plans to work hard to get good grades and share with her classmates and teachers. She will be doing her practice teaching.  She is eager to make new friends.  Her family farms corn.  Her mother weaves napkins.  Her sister is in sixth grade and one of her brother is in first grade. Her youngest brother is only four years old.  

Marilena is in her second year of career training in Accounting.  She has changed school because of the disorganization in her former school  Her father had a stroke in December and is recovering and working in church activities.  Right now the family is preparing land for planting peas.  

Sandra Lourdes will graduate from secretarial school this year.  Her goal is to get good grades and study hard.  Her mother is sick and recovering at home.  Her father works in agriculture to support the family.  Her parents are happy she is receiving support from the Kateri Fund.  

Clara is in her first year of high school career training working with a focus on Medicine.  Her goal is to hand in all her work on time, be respectful to everyone and take care of herself.  Her father works in agriculture and her mother embroiders blouses.  She wants to be a good student and prays for others, especially those she helps.  

Glenda is beginning her high school career training as a teacher.  She wants to be disciplined, organized, and improve her spelling and handwriting.  She wants to help her family.  Her father works in agriculture and her mother manages the home.  They are happy she is working toward a career.

Lily will graduate this year with a high school degree in Computer Science.  She wants to  help her parents and others who need help.  Her father picks coffee and her mother sells tortillas.

Flory is in 9th grade.  Her goals for the future are to study computers and nursing, then continue in college for a career in Clinical Psychology.  She lives alone and works and studies in Panajachel.  She is originally from Totonicapan.  Her mother died twenty-eight years ago and her father is an alcoholic with occasional work as a carpenter.  Florinda is very happy about her Kateri scholarship because it gives her motivation to continue.

Lety is in 8^th grade and wants to do well and write more.  Her father is harvesting the dried corn and is planting peas and herbs to sell in the village market.

Eva Marina is in 9th grade and wants to do well and help her mother at home.  Her family works in the fields, plants corn and coffee, and also limes, oranges and plums.  Her father doesn't work regularly and is an alcoholic.

All of the girls are extremely grateful to you as a suporter of the Kateri Fund .  Because of your donations they are able to continue their studies.  In apreciation of your help, they try very hard to do well in school and help their families and communities. 

Now is a good time to make an additional donation.  As the new year starts, we are committed to providing a program for these 12 young women for 2014.  We will need donations from people like you to accomplish our goal.  We thank you for what you have done in the past and look forward to your collaboration in the future.