Building Schools in Guatemala
Our third Project 2009 –Rio Mactzul Spring 2009
Rio Mactzul is a new village formed in 2008, which has 71 families and over 100
Desks in The Temporary school which
we replaced in February, 2009.children eligible to attend school. For the first time we built a school where there was not one previously. Since the Guatemalan government allocates teachers only where there are schools, Derek Lavanhar had the village build a temporary very primitive two room school out of readily available materials (scrap lumber and corrugate metal) to meet the teacher allocation requirement.
The plan worked and the students started school in January as you can see in the accompanying pictures. A relative of one of the teachers is a regional school official and was able to get the government to provide desks when our construction project was finished.
You can also see the sanitary facilities we encountered. We brought water onto the site and have provided two flush toilets in a new concrete “outhouse”.
In a fun filled, fireworks supported farewell ceremony attended by the whole Rio Mactzul population, we heard many speeches. One in particular was very powerful. The lead elder said “Ustedes nos ayudaron dar cuenta de la necessidad…” “You helped us become aware of our need”. We had done more than construct a school… we made them aware of how important it was to educate their children! That statement came as a windfall bonus to our tired Gringo Volunteers. 
Martin Lavanhar cartooning for the children. It was like doubling the payoff for us.
The school was completed and inaugurated in early May and the children were attending classes immediately just prior to the rainy season.
Derek received a request from Rio Mactzul for an additional classroom, which appears to be justified by the number of children already attending the school. If we can raise enough money in 2009-2010, we will accommodate the village after we build our February 2010 project in Chuguexa.
Another facility we upgraded,
crucial for the health of the children.
Rio Mactzul’s first PTA meeting.
Temporary school which we replaced in February 2009.
