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I am a 7th grade English teacher in Ashburn, Virginia. This year, teachers in my county have been asked to conduct a project that challenges our students to take what they learn in the classroom and make a local, national, or global impact.
A small conversation with a childhood friend through Facebook messaging, coincidentally fit in perfectly with our One to the World project. It just so happens, that a friend of mine is engaged, and her brother-in-law-to-be is a teacher in Guatemala. When she told me about some of the challenges he faces, teaching these children who are living in poverty, I felt an urge to help.
I suddenly had an idea! My students could practice their narrative skills by writing children’s books which would then be translated by the students who are studying Spanish at our school. Then, we would raise money to have the books professionally printed and sent to the students in Guatemala. But after several emails, and a skype session with the teacher, I soon learned that there was much more we had to do.
I learned that these students don’t have access to running water in their homes.
I learned that these students have to work in order to pay for the bus which takes them to and from the market (where their school is) every day.
I learned that these students are going to school because they WANT to, and that 90% of them are being raised by single mothers who do not have an education themselves.
I learned that these students struggle with legible handwriting because their fingers are often swollen from the manual labor they conduct at their jobs, but that many of them are actually talented artists.
I learned that these students often have trouble focusing in school because the only thing they can focus on is how hungry they are.
Above all, I realized that it doesn’t take much for us to help.
My students and I are seeking your help. Our goal is to raise money to pay for the printing, publishing, and shipping costs of our student-authored children's books. The remaining money will go towards purchasing school supplies for these children, and possibly even towards the continuation of learning for some of these students. These students are between 9-18 years old. For most of them, this is the only education they will ever receive. Help us make it the best it can be.
A small conversation with a childhood friend through Facebook messaging, coincidentally fit in perfectly with our One to the World project. It just so happens, that a friend of mine is engaged, and her brother-in-law-to-be is a teacher in Guatemala. When she told me about some of the challenges he faces, teaching these children who are living in poverty, I felt an urge to help.
I suddenly had an idea! My students could practice their narrative skills by writing children’s books which would then be translated by the students who are studying Spanish at our school. Then, we would raise money to have the books professionally printed and sent to the students in Guatemala. But after several emails, and a skype session with the teacher, I soon learned that there was much more we had to do.
I learned that these students don’t have access to running water in their homes.
I learned that these students have to work in order to pay for the bus which takes them to and from the market (where their school is) every day.
I learned that these students are going to school because they WANT to, and that 90% of them are being raised by single mothers who do not have an education themselves.
I learned that these students struggle with legible handwriting because their fingers are often swollen from the manual labor they conduct at their jobs, but that many of them are actually talented artists.
I learned that these students often have trouble focusing in school because the only thing they can focus on is how hungry they are.
Above all, I realized that it doesn’t take much for us to help.
My students and I are seeking your help. Our goal is to raise money to pay for the printing, publishing, and shipping costs of our student-authored children's books. The remaining money will go towards purchasing school supplies for these children, and possibly even towards the continuation of learning for some of these students. These students are between 9-18 years old. For most of them, this is the only education they will ever receive. Help us make it the best it can be.