The term started in February for the 42 students in the senior secondary school and the 41 students in the junior secondary school in Chaquijya who receive help from ICO for equipment and teachers’ salaries. 

The senior students were busy with many extra activities which are preparing them to enter life in the larger community of Guatemala. Many of the older generation were unable to travel in their own country because of poverty and discrimination. These students are learning how their country and culture can open up to them. 

1.  They worked with both the primary and junior high school students to give a thorough cleaning to their school building — including, windows, walls, bathrooms, patios — to bring pride to their community. 

2. They took a field trip to the important Mayan ruins, archeological site and nature preserve of Iximche Tecpan in order to learn more about their ‘patrimonio’.

3. They developed and participated in a special day dedicated to the value and relevance of books in both their personal and professional lives. Many of their parents are illiterate because education and literacy was discouraged by the government for many years in the Mayan Western Highlands. Bookstores and libraries are still almost non-existent or very expensive in these areas. The encouragement of reading and books is very important to their communities now.

4. They participated in a multi-school sports competition where they did very well (came first) in both men and women’s soccer tournament.