Why support LACES and Escuela Integrada?
Why support LACES and Escuela Integrada? Many, many programs clamor world
wide looking for support. Most of these programs are excellent and helping any number
of them would be a wise investment in bettering the human condition. Here is just
one example of why helping Escuela Integrada is making a difference in Guatemala.
Reina Gomez |
Reina Gomez is a student with us in the 9th grade. She has studied with us since
entering our project three years ago when we opened our middle school program in
Antigua. Reina had to wait four years to study in middle school -- before Escuela
Integrada programs allowed her to enter the 7th grade as a 15 year old. Her parents
simply could not afford to allow her to keep going to school when she had several
younger brothers and sisters who were still trying to make it through grade school.
Remember - there is virtually no free education in Guatemala. This year Reina is
18 years old and will be graduating this October and probably top of her class as
she is one of our best students. Reina
Teacher Norfa Hernandez with a student on Graduation Day |
and her teacher Norfa have been preparing for a Guatemala Ministry of Education
Public Speaking competition for the last two weeks.
This morning, July 6th, 14 schools participated in the Public Speaking Conference
for the “state” of Sacatepequez where Antigua is located. The other 13 schools are
private -- they are for children who can PAY for their education. Both Norfa and
Reina came sailing into Rebecca's office on their way out the door this morning
to ask Rebecca and our staff to remember them during the competition. Then the entire
9th grade class was off to watch the competition and support Reina as she represented
Escuela Integrada. One by one, each of the participants gave a speech on the importance
of human rights and education. Reina took the stage, gave her speech and returned
to her seat to wait for the results. Her speech had not been perfect. Something
that she had prepared to say did not come out exactly as planned. Still everyone
was confident.
The Ministry of Education officials started handing out "participation" awards,
one by one. One by one the participants from the privileged, private schools received
their diploma and a thank you for participating. Reina’s name had not yet been called.
There were three awards left -- the top three finishers. Norfa started congratulating
Reina on third place. “Third place is good, we must be happy with third place if
that's what you win”. Reina’s name was not called. “Second place is just a good
as first place, Reina, you must be happy with second place if you come in second”,
continued Norfa. Reina’s name was not called for second place. . . . and all of
Escuela Integrada ninth graders started to scream with joy. Reina Esmeralda Gomez
Reguan won the competition representing Escuela Integrada, the school for the "poor,"
the "rejects,'" the school for those whom Guatemalan society has ignored and pushed
into the background.
Today we are reminded what Escuela Integrada is about. "Reina the poor girl," representing
the school for poor children won the biggest inter-school competition of 2007. As
strange as it may sound, a great number of the children / teenagers from the private
schools had been very vocal in their opinions that Reina and the Escuela Integrada
kids had no business being there. Many openly made fun of Reina and the Escuela
Integrada students. After all, our students can't afford uniforms. Our students
don't wear designer shoes. Most of our students wear the clothes and shoes that
we are able to give them because of generous gifts from supporters of Escuela Integrada.
Many of our students have to go to work right after school so that they can insure
a roof over their heads. Reina is one of these students who works every afternoon
to help support her family. In the eyes of these upper class, private school students,
our students are "nobodies."
However, Reina not only participated, SHE WON!
And because she won, her teacher Norfa won, and every other ninth grader from Escuela
Integrada tasted that victory as well.
Some things to remember:
1. Reina has self-confidence and dedication because she has been given an opportunity
at something that she could not do on her own and she is taking advantage of it
with 100% tenacity.
2. The education she is receiving at Escuela Integrada is excellent and she is being
trained and mentored by people who believe in her.
3. Reina is no longer malnourished and sickly because of the feeding program and
medical care provided through Escuela Integrada.
Your support makes all Escuela Integrada programs possible.
Graduation Day
So we return back to our original question: why support Escuela Integrada? So that
young people like Reina have the opportunity to get an education and to use their
gifts and to make a difference in their country.
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