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Pueblo a Pueblo Blog

Right from Santiago Atitlán to your computer. Your window into our world. Thanks for reading and comments are welcome! ​

A Safe Place to Chat: Socially-Distanced Health Workshops for Mothers

10/28/2020

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Picture
Women in Group 3 during this week's workshop on Inclusion!
PictureWomen in Group 1 during the September workshop!
With much of our typical programming still on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions, Pueblo a Pueblo is thrilled to continue supporting the mothers in our Maternal-Child Health Project through socially-distanced, small group workshops!

A key component of our Maternal-Child Health Project is the educational support that mothers receive from participation in monthly health and wellness workshops. While these workshops were put on hold during the months of March-August, in September we were able to reinstate them under careful safety protocols such as mask wearing, hand washing, and socially-distanced outdoor seating.

Our Maternal Child Health Project Coordinator Rebeca explained that after many months without in-person connection, “the women are glad to have a safe place to come and speak!”

The twenty mother-child pairs currently participating in this project are grouped into three groups based on the age of their children (Group 1: birth-1 year, Group 2: ages 1-3, and Group 3: ages 3-5). Over the past two months, Group 1 attended workshops on hygiene and illness prevention as well as early childhood development. Group 2 spent time discussing the basics of good nutrition and common colds and respiratory illness. Group 3 participated in workshops about menstrual hygiene, and just this week, about the brand new topic of “inclusion.” 

Rebeca was excited to share the news of this new workshop topic, explaining her desire to empower mothers with the knowledge to build more inclusive communities. In discussing “inclusion,” Rebeca and the mothers reflected on the misunderstandings that many people hold about individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. They spoke about the value and contributions of every individual, and as Rebeca described it “planted the seeds” for further conversations about this important topic. Rebeca was proud of how the workshop went, explaining that although this is not a commonly discussed topic, the women were open to learning more, and committed to speaking to their own children and family members about inclusion as well! 

While these workshops are definitely a time to learn more about important health and wellness topics, they are also an opportunity for women to connect with and empower one another. With limited safe opportunities for community building, the connection piece of these workshops is more important now than ever before. 

Rebeca makes sure to leave space at the beginning and end of each workshop for women to speak candidly with one another. She explained that recently, these conversations have offered  women the freedom to discuss their fears related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Building safe and supportive spaces for women has always been a goal of the Maternal-Child Health Project, and we are especially glad to be doing so during these extremely challenging times!

Can you help us continue supporting the women and children of our Maternal Child Health Project throughout the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Donate now
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Keeping Youth Leaders Connected Through The Pandemic

9/15/2020

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Picture
Some of our youth leaders from San Martín! *All photos from pre-COVID-19 restrictions
As we enter the sixth month of COVID-19 related regulations and restrictions here in Santiago Atitlán, each of our community members has felt the impact of lost income, health challenges, social isolation, distance learning, and restricted travel in various ways. While the impact of COVID-19 is definitely felt by all, our Youth Leadership Project Coordinator Hony explains that it has been particularly challenging for adolescents.
​

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University explain that “the greatest impacts felt by adolescents stem from school closures, being in the house, and not getting to see friends and peers” (1). Hony echoed this sentiment, explaining that adolescents participating in the Youth Leadership program have felt isolated, discouraged, and doubtful at different points during these past few months.  

Luckily for our Youth Leaders, Hony is working to find safe and meaningful ways to continue engaging with them as they reach their entrepreneurial goals!
​

Currently, Hony is working with two groups of Youth Leaders, one in San Martín and another in Patzilin Abaj. Both groups are in different stages of their participation in the program; the San Martín group is in their second year, while the Patzilin Abaj group is already in their third. The typical trajectory of our Youth Leadership Project is one year of capacity building and familiarizing participants with organization and leadership through management of an organic school garden. In year two, participants initiate their own project and learn more about modeling a business, drafting a budget, and monitoring and evaluating their progress. Finally, in year three, participants grow their businesses, learn about business leadership and sustainability, and practice using the CANVAS business model.
Students help plant the San Martín school garden
Students learning about gardening at the San Martín school garden
Interruptions due to COVID-19 have left our San Martín group without a fully defined project, and our Patzilin Abaj group (whose project is based on selling chickens) unable to sell due to local marketplace closures. Although these setbacks are challenging, Hony was recently able to meet with Youth Leaders to discuss a way forward. 

For the group in San Martín, Hony plans to conduct the two workshops centered around project ideation, budget planning, and business modeling in an online format. Working with Pueblo a Pueblo to ensure that participants have access to internet and appropriate technology, Hony is very hopeful that these workshops will help get our leaders back on track. He says that although meeting in person and launching the team’s project this year is not possible, they have discussed a new start date for the beginning of 2021!

As for our Patzilin Abaj group, Hony explains that although they cannot sell in the local market right now, the group does have a small savings fund that has allowed them to keep up with their chickens during COVID-19. He spoke with this group of young entrepreneurs about restarting their project when it is safe to do so, and about potentially workshopping new chicken-related projects.
Picture
Paztilin Abaj leaders caring for their chickens
Overall, Hony is excited to have been able to reconnect with our Youth Leaders during this challenging time. Social connection is vital to maintaining hope and supporting mental health during times of crisis, and our Youth Leadership program is working to do just that!
Pueblo a Pueblo knows that empowering young people is vital to breaking the cycle of poverty, and despite recent challenges, our Youth Leaders are well on their way to becoming young entrepreneurs.  


Can you help support our Youth Leaders as they navigate this challenging time?
DONATE NOW
Picture
Students and Youth Leaders at San Martín school garden
References
  1. https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/05/11/covid-19-and-adolescents/

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Different Format, Same Mission: Online Education Workshops

8/25/2020

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Schools might be closed, but here at Pueblo a Pueblo, we know that reading is still essential!
Picture
A group of boys sharing books at La Cumbre Elementary in February 2020
Picture
Students reading at the Paztilin Abaj Library in February 2020
Over the past few months, our community here in Santiago Atitlán has experienced a number of drastic changes due to COVID-19. To ensure the safety of our community members, and in accordance with government mandates, all of our typical in person programming has been suspended. 

While we have definitely missed the face to face interactions with our community members, Pueblo a Pueblo has been finding new ways to connect with and serve our community. One of these ways has been through online workshops. 

On July 29th, Rebeca and Johanny teamed up to lead a workshop entitled “Animación a la lectura en casa” or Encouraging Reading at Home. 17 participants, made up primarily of local teachers and parents, tuned in for this one hour workshop. 

In it, they learned a variety of techniques about how to keep children engaged and excited throughout the entire reading process and beyond. Rebeca and Johanny shared that pre-reading and post-reading activities are especially important for enhanced comprehension and continued interest in reading!
PictureStudents celebrating International Book Day back in 2018
Throughout the workshop, participants learned just how vital it is to establish a culture of enthusiasm and curiosity around reading. Illiteracy is one of the largest barriers to economic mobility in Guatemala, so encouraging reading from a young age is extremely important to the future of our community members. Schools might be closed, but here at Pueblo a Pueblo, we know that reading is still essential!

Transitioning to the online workshop format was completely new for Pueblo a Pueblo, but Rebeca and Johanny were excited to continue supporting education in this way. The two shared that although they were concerned about the lack of direct interaction with their audience, they were pleased with the ability to reach a new and diverse  group of participants. The online format made this content accessible to teachers and families that are not directly associated with Pueblo a Pueblo, allowing Rebeca and Johanny to expand their reach! 

Although schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year here in Santiago Atitlán, our students are continuing their studies at home. It is with the help of our amazing sponsors and donors like you that we are able to continue supporting students during this crisis. 

​
As we continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of our community, we are so grateful for your continued support of our students' education!

Donate now
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Pueblo a Pueblo has been awarded GuideStar's 2019 Gold Seal for Transparency, meets the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity Accountability, and was named a finalist for the National Coffee Association's 2019 Origin Charity of the Year award.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR TEAM
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • OUR SUPPORTERS >
      • COFFEE INDUSTRY PARTNERS
    • Annual Report
    • FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY >
      • AUDITS & FORMS 990
  • PROGRAMS
    • WHAT WE DO
    • WOMEN'S RIGHT TO HEALTH >
      • MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH
      • WOMEN'S HEALTH CHAMPIONS
    • CHILD EDUCATION SUPPORT >
      • PRIMARY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS
      • PATHWAYS TO LITERACY
    • SCHOOL HEALTH AND NUTRITION >
      • SCHOOL NUTRITION
      • ORGANIC TEACHING GARDEN
      • YOUTH LEADERSHIP
      • WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE IN SCHOOLS
    • SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS >
      • BEEKEEPING
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