Empower a Girl in Guatemala: Education after COVID

Gilda es una jovencita de 14 años de edad, siendo la segunda de tres hermanos. Cursa el primer año del ciclo básico en el instituto de su comunidad, Aldea Ajaxa (Retalhuleu).

Su vida cambió en el año 2017, cuando su padre falleció. Esta tragedia supuso que la niña se aislara un poco y empezara a mostrar un carácter de timidez. Ese mismo año el Proyecto de Becas para la Niña la empezó a apoyar y, gracias al pasar del tiempo, el cariño de sus compañeras becadas, el apoyo de los maestros, las distintas actividades que se realizaban en las formaciones del proyecto de becas y el apoyo de su familia, Gilda ha podido ir superando esa difícil situación.

La niña ha demostrado ser responsable y muy aplicada en los estudios. Demostró su esfuerzo por tener notas aceptables en primaria, pese a no contar con la ayuda de algún adulto en casa para resolver dudas de las tareas, pues la madre sale desde temprano a trabajar y regresa por la noche, ocupándose de los oficios del hogar.

Actualmente y, debido a la pandemia, las clases presenciales se suspendieron y Gilda debe realizar sus tareas desde casa. Por suerte, cuenta con el apoyo de su padrastro, que está presente cuando se le explican las tareas para orientarla si surgen dudas, y ha estado dispuesto a apoyar a su familia. 

La madre de Gilda comenta que el proyecto de becas ha venido a beneficiar a toda la familia, ya que en esta época no se ha podido salir a trabajar de forma normal.

Gilda sabe que la educación es muy importante para su futuro: “No importa las dificultades que se den en mi proceso educativo, voy a esforzarme y a vencerlas”.

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• Lee el report en espanol

Yaneth is a 16 year old girl who lives about 5 kilometers from the departmental capital, in Canton Ayutia, Retalhuleu.

Currently, she is studying high school at her community’s institute. Yaneth is characterized by being a good student, she has achieved the recognition of distinguished student three years in a row. She is a cheerful and responsible teenager, and above all she likes to learn everyday. 

When Yaneth entered the Scholarships program, she was a shy but dedicated girl, and after 6 years of support and training in the project, significant changes have been noticed in her life. She has overcome her shyness, and a sign of this is that Yaneth participated in a beauty contest at the school where she studied and won the contest. 

Yaneth’s mother has been a fundamental part of her lifelong learning, and is the one who encourages her to continue reaping success. Another quality of Yaneth is that she does additional research on the subjects learned at the Institute, asks questions and accepts support from her teachers and classmates. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, the scholarship technician visits the girl’s home to resolve doubts that arise from the fact that she is taking classes at a distance, and she also has the support of the teachers. During the counseling sessions, safety norms are taken to care for the girl’s family in the face of the spread of the virus. This way, the family is also supported regarding health and safety measures that should be taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Yaneth is a young girl with many dreams and goals, she wants to graduate, to be able to have a job so she can help her mother, and be a professional. 

Yaneth comments that she is very happy to be part of the project and to continue learning through the work guides that the project has given them. She knows that there are more young girls that do not have the opportunity to study, that is why she says that “in the future I want to continue studying and the opportunity to have a scholarship is the best experience that I have lived in these years of study, because they trust me and my abilities, they have taught me to be responsible, punctual and the importance of reading”.

Links:

• Lee el report en espanol