Education in the Escuela El Hato

The community, which is 100% indigenous, is located in the mountains of Antigua, Guatemala, about 40 minutes from the city. Since the community is small, it has limited public services.

The purpose and main goal of Escuela El Hato is to provide pre-school and primary education to children in the community.

Presently, there are approximately 175 children, ages 6-17 years old who attend the school, all of whom live in extreme poverty (Next year (2008) the school plans to have enroll 200-225 students, and will need one teacher per grade level). Students` families can not pay for school entrance fees, uniforms, books and school supplies which are necessary for the public school. “La Unión” facilitates scholarships for the children, contributes to the teachers’ salaries and offers financial donations. During the past years, “La Unión” has helped to build classrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and has also provided supplies medical supplies to the school.

The greatest need of the school is for auxiliary teachers, people with knowledge in carpentry or construction, as well as volunteers who can spend time entertaining the children with games, sports, etc. To be an auxiliary teacher, volunteers need an intermediate Spanish level. For all the other work, a beginner Spanish level is sufficient.

Groups and individuals are able to donate learning aids, school supplies, shoes, food, etc. Note: If you going to bring clothing to donate, we would appreciate if you brought clothing for men, since the majority of clothes which is donated is for indigenous people who use typical costumes, especially the women.

Just as La Unión takes pride in the quality of our Spanish language program for visitors to Antigua, we also strive to promote education for local Guatemalans. La Unión and the University of Dreams Foundation, with the help of private donors, sponsor ten twelve students from the village of El Hato to attend secondary schools in Antigua. Due to the extreme poverty of this community, students’ education stops after sixth grade. They only have financial support to complete the current school year (through November 2010). La Unión is actively searching for ways to ensure that these boys and girls will also have the privilege of a complete high school education. If you are interested in helping to sponsor these students, either while you are here with us at La Unión or once you have returned to your home abroad, please let us know.