THE EDUCATION AND HOPE BLOG
We always have so many stories to share and this is the place to find them. Our hope is that you will get to know us better and feel connected to the children and families whose lives are changed because of your generous support.
Light in the Darkness
Annual update on Education and Hope's work at St. Jerome Parish, Norwalk, CT, This year, Julie was joined by scholarship recipient Jenny Díaz, currently a junior at Berea College in KY. Jenny powerfully describes the impact Education and Hope has had on her life and...
The next generation
A highlight of every fall in Xela is graduation season. Our academic year runs from January to early November. Kicking off the season are the kindergarteners. There is always something incredibly moving about the energy infused in this day. Their pride at wearing...
Día de los Muertos
November 1, 2021 Today is the feast of All Saints, a day to honor the lives of those who have gone before us, a day we remember and mourn the dead. I spent the morning in a meditation of sorts, transcribing messages sent with donations made in the memory of a...
Story books and conversation
Since the pandemic began, it’s rare to have our kids on site. Not to long ago, we had a check-in to monitor everyone’s height and weight. We’ve been monitoring growth because early on we saw how interruption of our meal service had impacted wellness, especially among...
Jenny’s summer internship
Hard at work planting seeds for a better future in Guatemala! We are so thrilled to see our Jenny Díaz in action! She finished up a grueling pre-med sophomore year with flying colors and then got right back to her studies. Jenny was awarded a research internship at...
Our community grieves.
When a young person dies, the world turns upside down. Nothing feels safe. Nothing is okay. On Thursday, Fredy Loarca, a beloved member of our Education and Hope family, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was only 21. Tragedy and loss are...
There are a Million Ways to Mother the World
On this day that brings joy for some and anguish for others, holding space for the tangle of possible emotions. Early this morning I revisited this meditation I wrote several years ago. Sharing with love for those who find themselves on the margins today, for anyone...
May the love you share come back to bless you ten thousand times.
When I visited Ireland years ago, in so many ways it reminded me of Guatemala. The deep beauty of the landscape, the ancient world still so present, the wisdom and warmth of the people. There is much to explore in the harmonies of Celtic and Mayan spiritualities....
Un Trabajo Digno
This staff photo was sent to me with the message: "Gracias por darnos un trabajo digno!" It was the first day back on site as a group and the mood was one of gratitude for the dignity of work. Everyone had appreciation to add: thank you for valuing our labor,...
At Twenty-Seven
Twenty-seven years ago on this day, I arrived in Guatemala. This anniversary has always served as a moment of reflection for me, but this time feels different. Twenty-seven years means that I have lived in Guatemala for exactly one-half of my life. What does it...
