Work Projects

Work Projects

While several different schools in Guatemala use their proceeds for community development, few schools involve their students so directly. Work projects are initiated by local communities who solicit the school's collaboration in areas which will improve their day to day life. Current projects of the school in which our students participate include stove and latrine construction. The latrines serve to eliminate waste comtamination of crops, while stoves not only reduce the consumption of fire wood but also aid in the prevention of respiratory disease by eliminating smoke in the house.

The projects undertaken to date have included the construction of latrines and community washbasins, the building of greenhouses, the construction of brick and adobe stoves, the repair of roads and school buildings, the planting of trees, and the terracing of land. Our students normally go out to work on these projects two or three days a week. They work directly with the people of the community and come to know, in a very immediate way, the culture and economic reality of Guatemala. For most students, this part of our program has proved to be a highlight of their experience.

Latrines and fuel-conserving wood stoves are vital in addressing intestinal problems and respiratory ailments―two of the most common causes of death in the Guatemalan highlands. As you may or may not be aware, the top three causes of death are dysentery (cholera in particular), respiratory illness, and malnutrition. Pop Wuj is very active in its own projects to curb the major causes of the top two killers. "Letrinizacion" is the practice of ensuring that every member of a particular community has access to a latrine that is properly constructed to protect the local water sources. Stove building provides women and their children with a smoke-free kitchen, thereby preventing exposure to the irritating smoke commonly present in campesino kitchens due to the open fires these women cook over. Becoming actively involved in the school's projects is a real hands-on way to fight these widespread public health problems. The school invests a large portion of its profits toward the materials needed for these projects while working with the community.

Students are invited to the Day Care Center at Llanos de Pinal (Pine Plains) weekly to play with and entertain the children at the center. Most are children of women housed in Xela's battered women's shelter, who are engaged in job training, counseling, and obtaining legal assistance.

The projects are undertaken in conjunction with the villagers in the area in which the school is working. Currently, our project coordinators are working with a women's collective as well as several village leaders to determine the needs of their towns and townships. The townspeople contribute in-kind materials and frequently work alongside the students.

The projects normally take place one morning and one afternoon a week. The Llanos de Pinal project is weekly on Thursday afternoon. The project plan is designed in such a way as to allow a morning or afternoon student the option of staying at the school to work with a teacher and going on a project during the time period he or she would normally have free. If a student chooses to work on a project during her/his study time, the assigned teacher normally accompanies them on the project. It is possible to spend between 5 and 10 hours per week on projects if a student so chooses. All participation is optional; tuition alone is support of the projects.