"A self-sustainable
educational co-operative."

BACKGROUND

• Many Spanish language schools in Guatemala are paying below minimum wage to their instructors and host families.
• Although the language schools claim their contribution to various volunteer organizations, the contributions made by those involved often end up for school owners' personal gain. Link

• The instructors, host families and volunteer organizations get paid / donated directly by their students.
• The amount of payment / donation is decided by themsleves.
• In order to maintain its self-sustainability, they offer unique services such as
  1. "Small School Initiative" to offer more personalized learning experiences for students.
  2. Authentic immerion

"Evaluation on the school's impact in the local community."

BACKGROUND

• Llano del Pinal is a village located in the outskirt of Quetzaltenango where there was no school for pupils who graduated their first three years of elementary school.
• With Louise Morse CARE funds and matchings by students from Newburyport, USA, the local community were able to build the Llano del Pinal school in 1966.

OUR FINDINGS

• Although local schools had suffered some setbacks due to mal-management of educational budgets, the Llano del Pinal school has always been active.
• Today, there are 29 teachers who are teaching close to 1500 students in K-6.
• The success was followed by construction of many other schools that made a tremendous impact on causing improvement in educational level and income growth in the community.

OUR MISSION

• To contribute to self-sustainable developments through educational, cultural and environmental programs to improve quality of life.
• This will be complemented by promoting strategic alliances to develop participative projects, inclusive of all societal actors.

OUR WORKS

• Self-sustainable educational co-operative in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala;
• Research and evaluation of educational impact of local public educational system;
• Nutritional and health support in the surrounding areas of the city of Quetzaltenango;
• Education about Mayan culture and local tradition by means of television and radio broadcasting;
• Support on local environmental protection and awareness efforts.