A letter from Ellen Dozier in Guatemala
March 1, 2008
Friends,
Amalia, 60, holding the diploma from her recent sixth-grade graduation and a paper with her grades, all of which were in the high 90s.Education is a precious commodity in Guatemala for girls and women of all ages. I think about Amalia, a woman who lives near the Presbyterian Seminary where I have lived for 12 years. For years, Amalia has worked in the homes of missionaries who have lived at the seminary. She has helped me weekly for a number of years with cleaning, washing clothes, sometimes cooking, and being a friend.
Last year, Amalia fulfilled one of her dreams—to graduate from the sixth grade! I wonder how many North American women at the age of 60 would toil over math problems, science experiments, and grammar to get a sixth grade diploma? Amalia credits her grandchildren with helping her achieve her goal. When she was discouraged, one of the grandchildren would offer help with a math problem or words of encouragement, “¡Sí se puede!” ("Yes, you can do this!")
I think of Debbie, Amalia’s 13-year-old granddaughter. Last year, Debbie finished her first year of básico (comparable to junior high school). She wanted to continue with her studies but there was no money. Her father had abandoned the family, and though both her mother and grandmother work, there wasn’t enough money to send Debbie and her two brothers to school. So, of course, the brothers were chosen to continue their studies.
Paula and her brother Kevin, who receive scholarships through the Presbyterial of Occidente.At first, Debbie accepted her fate, the same fate as many girls in Guatemala who don’t get beyond sixth grade. But somewhere inside Debbie there was a strong desire to continue her studies, so she devised a plan to get the needed funds. She went to her neighbors and to her church community and asked for help, and even though her neighbors and church members are also very poor, one gave 10 quetzales (about $1.20), others gave pens and pencils, another several notebooks. Her school helped with a small scholarship. Now Debbie is back in school, but the struggle goes on. Several weeks ago Amalia told me that Debbie didn’t go to school on Valentine’s Day because she had no money for a present. Despite the hardships, I think Debbie will graduate one day, just like her grandmother, Amalia.
It is good that many PC(USA) presbyteries and congregations are working with their Guatemalan partners to provide scholarship help for children. It is encouraging that these programs are expanding not only to include more children, but also to offer workshops for parents so they can better help their children in school.
And there are initiatives from Guatemalan women to provide scholarship help for children. Several years ago, a Young Adult Volunteer was concerned that an 11-year-old girl in the community where she lived had never gone to school, and that she would never have a chance to study without some outside help. Through the YAV’s encouragement, the Presbyterial of Occidente (the women’s groups in the Presbytery of Occidente) developed a scholarship program for young girls.The program provides money for registration fees, books, school supplies, uniforms as well as visits by members of the scholarship committee to encourage and help both the parents and the young girls to improve their studies and stay in school.
Recently, the committee made an exception to the rules of their program to include a scholarship for a boy, Kevin. The boy’s parents died of AIDS, and he and his 12-year-old sister, Paula, live with their elderly grandmother. Paula, who is now in her second year of básico, was receiving a scholarship, and the grandmother asked the committee if they could help Kevin as well. After much discussion, the committee decided that the compassionate thing to do, even though it went against their rules, was to help Kevin, so he is now in his third year of primaria (elementary school).
When I came to Guatemala 12 years ago, I was impressed by the hunger of people to learn. They travel many miles by bus, pickup, or on foot to get to school. They eat tortillas and beans three times a day (if they are fortunate) while attending week-long intensive courses. Mothers sell tacos and enchiladas on street corners to have money for their children’s education. I still see that hunger, and I see that people are also conscious that education is a precious commodity, never to be taken for granted, always to be celebrated, and at times brothers and sisters from other lands can have a part in filling the empty places left by the hunger.
Often North Americans who come to Guatemala are overwhelmed by the needs they encounter here. They feel guilty when they think of all they have at home. They want to help, but many realize that simply handing out money or “stuff” is not truly helping. It only encourages dependence and alleviates for the moment a bit of their guilt. I believe that the scholarship programs offer one way to be in ministry together, each partner helping the other. Those who give funds receive photos of the children as well as a copy of their grades.
I know a church in the United States where photos of some children adorn a wall. Over the photos a note says, “Our Scholarship Children in Guatemala.” Paula, Kevin, and many other children are able to be in school this year thanks to your gifts. Perhaps this is a tiny glimpse of the life we profess when we proclaim that we are one family in Jesus Christ.
Ellen
The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 258
