Guatemala Programs
At MPI-G, our programs build upon the existing assets, resources and capacities available in the communities where we work and emphasize the following three outcomes.
Empower individuals through programs that develop their capacities to advance economically, educationally, and to become leaders in their communities.
Strengthen institutions by working alongside them to introduce best practices, connect them to national and international resources, and expand their services.
Build networks by creating stronger links among community members, connecting people to local institutions, and promoting inter-institutional collaboration.
English Programs
Children’s English (Primaria Central)
During the school day, PDs teach English to third through sixth grade students at the Primaria Central. The curriculum is written in Spanish and PDs plan lessons alongside teachers, with the intent that they'll be able to transition the capacity for teaching English towards local teachers over the year.
Children’s Summer Camp (Primaria Central)
In spite of the attempts to provide a quality education to its children, the primary schools remain overcrowded with a limited range of subjects. Realizing this problem, PDs launched an educational summer camp in October 2010, (their summer is from October to January) engaging over 100 first through sixth graders daily in art, English, science, and sports programs, as well as special activities like a recycling day and Camp Olympics. The community has asked for MPI-G to lead camp again in summer 2011.
After-School English (Primaria Cooperativa)
Twice weekly, PDs lead an after-school English program for primary school students in Cooperativa. These students were selected by their teachers as the highest achievers, and this class has made significant strides in basic conversation. Smaller class size and dedication from the students offers a promising alternative to the in-school model, and Josá, a local teacher, co-leads the class.
Teacher's English (Primaria Cooperativa)
Once a week, PDs teach English to the teachers at the primary school in Cooperativa. Since teaching English is required by the national curriculum, even though the teachers themselves speak no English, PDs use a train-the-trainer model to have a long-term impact on the community.
Health Programs
Children’s Health (Primaria Central)
For residents of Chaquijyá, healthcare is hard to come by., and children over the age of five receive no preventive healthcare whatsoever. As a result, the MPI-G team has launched a long-term program for first through sixth graders in the primary schools of Central and Cooperativa focusing on healthy habits as well as reproductive education.
Environmental Programs
Bottle Structure Project
Since waste management is an enormous problem in Chaquijyá, MPI-G has partnered with another local NGO, Hug it Forward, to create a bottle project to provide residents with an alternative to burning or burying their trash. After stuffing plastic bottles with inorganic trash, the community will use the bottles as structural support for a four-classroom addition to the primary school in Central. Bottle stuffing provides the community with a multi-year trash solution and dramatically reduces the cost of construction, as there is no need to purchase cinderblock.
Healthy Community Initiative
Residents of Chaquijya recently completed paving a central portion of the road through their community. This has led to a renewed since of civic pride an interest in environmental stewrdship. As a result, Manna worked with a spring break trip from Vanderbilt to raise money and install eight trash cans along this central thoroughfare. The trashcans will be maintained the Primeria Central and PDs will use the weekly trash collection trips as a starting point to promote healthy habits and organic composting in the area.
Business Programs
Women's Weaving Cooperative
There are thirty members of a women's foot-loom weaving cooperative in Cooperativa. We're working alongside them to expand production, re-evaluate their business model, find external sources of funding, and evaluate their current contracts and loans.
