It is nearing the end of the school year here in Santiago Atitlán! Before the year comes to a close, Pueblo a Pueblo staff has been very busy collecting data for the School Health and Nutrition program at our partner schools.

This data collection involved interacting with many students, which is always a pleasure! Robin, the our fall intern was the representative traveling from school to school, measuring the height and weight of students from each grade and evaluating the personal hygiene habits among students. The children really enjoyed being a part of the process, and meeting more of our field staff!

Robin really appreciated the chance to see the schools and meet students. She says, “Going out to the field is a good reminder to all of us here at Pueblo a Pueblo what (and who) we are working so hard for!”

The School Health and Nutrition program effectively reduces the immediate hunger of school-aged children by giving them hot, nutritious meals.  Through the provision of these healthy meals, the School Health and Nutrition program also provides an additional incentive for parents to send their children to school.

Full, happy children are more able to concentrate and participate in class, which makes for better students! They are also better able to fight of illnesses, form friendships, and – be kids!

Thank you to all the Pueblo a Pueblo supporters for helping the students at our partner schools grow and thrive!

Youth Organic Garden Leaders, Organic School Gardens Project

Recently, as part of our organic school gardens project, we worked with three new school partners and trained four youth leaders from each community in the theories and techniques of organic gardening. These young adults have since helped the schools develop their own organic gardens. Pueblo a Pueblo continues to advise the youth leaders with monthly visits, and further supports them with leadership and management skills that they can apply to other areas of their lives!

"We plan to continue expanding the model of youth leaders of organic gardens to other communities to help increase food security and to help the youth become leaders. The hope is that the youth will find ways to improve their communities and promote wellbeing, as well as obtain new skills to face challenges as they become adults." – Ana, School Health and Nutrition Project Manager

 
WASH Student Ambassadors

This past August 2015, Pueblo a Pueblo completed construction on and inaugurated a new school bathroom in the community of Nueva Vida.  It has comprised of five student toilets, one urinal and a small hand washing station! To help support the school with the ongoing long term management of these facilities, students who demonstrated strong leadership skills were selected to be WASH Student Ambassadors. As Ambassadors, they help educate their fellow students about the importance of hygiene and sanitation.

This past week, the WASH Ambassadors demonstrated their commitment by organizing and leading an Environmental Cleanup Awareness Walk in Nueva Vida. It was a successful community-wide event with hundreds of youth, parents and teachers participating!

 “Our hope is that the teachers, students and community will become the main actors to encourage good student hygiene at the school.” – Tomás, WASH Project Coordinator

 
Student Library Club, Pathways to Literacy Project

In the community of La Cumbre, Pueblo a Pueblo’s newest school library is flourishing! Since this past April, the library averages 300 student visits each month. There are over 1,000 books for all students to use and best of all, we have supported the development of a student library club!

The Student Library Club is made up of eight children from 3rd through 6th grades - selected based on their personal interests in and frequent use of the library resources. These children have been given the shared task of providing support to their peers and younger students in weekly library activities. Recently, on September 9th, the Student Library Club promoted International Literacy Day by reading stories to their peers during school recess!

 “The goal is that the Student Library Club will become an integral part of the library program so that not only the teachers and librarians feel responsible for maintaining the activities, but also the students themselves.” Lillie, Child Education Program Assistant

Retiro de Empleados: ¡Orgánico, Competitivo e Inclusivo!

 A finales de agosto, todos los empleados de Pueblo a Pueblo en Guatemala gozaron del II retiro anual de empleados. Este año visitaron Atitlan Organics (una granja orgánica permacultural) ubicada en Tzununá donde caminaron a una cascada remota. En la tarde, los empleados tuvieron partidos amigables de básquetbol y fútbol y al día siguiente un taller sobre liderazgo inclusivo concluido con un gustoso churrasco para almuerzo.

Más de la mitad del personal en Guatemala trabaja en el campo, fuera de la oficina,  lo cual a veces dificulta la convivencia y conciencia de equipo.

 “Fue muy agradable poder conocer a otros miembros del equipo Pueblo a Pueblo. No todos trabajan en la oficina de Santiago y aun aquellos que sí, están en la oficina por un par de horas durante la semana. Así que, como una de las nuevas adiciones a Pueblo a Pueblo, yo finalmente sentí que podía conectar con el grupo entero. Y la belleza natural de la granja Tzununá fue increíble.” - Robin S, Socia Relaciones Externas

 El convivio permitió que compañeros interactuaran en un ámbito menos profesional, lo cual ayuda a conectarse a nivel más personal y así crecer juntos como equipo.
 
“Pienso que la parte que más me gustó fue la de los partidos, ya que esta fue la primera vez que realizamos algo así, en el cual todos jugamos, reímos, corrimos y la mejor parte es que todos compartimos este momento tan divertido que pocas veces hacemos por cuestión de las responsabilidades laborales que tenemos.”- Johanny, Gerente de Proyecto Becas Educación Primaria

Pueblo a Pueblo reconoce la importancia de ofrecer oportunidades para el desarrollo profesional, permitiendo una reflexión interna sobre el trabajo diario y utilizando la experiencia del trabajo realizado para fortalecer el liderazgo organizacional. Por eso como parte del Retiro de Empleados se desarrolla siempre un taller interno.

“Del Taller, recibí técnicas de cómo ser un líder inclusivo - por ejemplo el método EACH [de Empoderamiento, Responsabilidad Social Individual, Coraje y Humildad]. Aprender a utilizarlo y practicarlo es algo que me ayudará mucho como educadora en el Proyecto de Huertos.” - Celia, Educadora del Proyecto Huertos Orgánicos Escolares

 ¡Aplausos por un retiro de empleados 2015 exitoso!

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All Staff Retreat: Organic, Competitive and Inclusive!

 At the end of August, the Pueblo a Pueblo staff in Guatemala gathered together for 2nd Annual All Staff Retreat. This year the staff visited Atitlan Organics, a permaculture inspired, organic farm located in Tzununa where they hiked to a hidden away waterfall. In the afternoon they had a friendly basketball and soccer and the next day a workshop on inclusive leadership that concluded in a tasty barbeque for lunch.

More than half of the staff based in Guatemala frequently work in the field and are out of the office – making it difficult at times to check in with one another and catch up.

 "It was so nice to get to know other members of the Pueblo a Pueblo team.  Not everyone works in the Santiago office and even those that are may only be in the office for a few hours during the week, so I finally felt like I was able to connect with the entire Pueblo a Pueblo group.  Also, as one of the newest staff members, after the staff retreat I felt like I was part of the team and no longer just the newcomer.  And the natural beauty of the Tzununa farm was unbelievable." - Robin S, Grants Associate

Not only that, but being able to interact with co-workers in a lesser professional work setting also helps facilitate further connection and reconnection among personnel. Staff retreats provide a space for all co-workers to reconnect and grow together as a team!

“I think the part that I liked the most was the games. This was the first time we did something where we all were playing, laughing, running and the best part is that we were all sharing in that fun moment that many times, because of the responsibilities that we have, we do not often do.” – Johanny, Primary Education Scholarships Project Manager

Pueblo a Pueblo recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for professional development, allowing staff to reflect on their everyday work and how to use their work experience to further strengthen organizational leadership. That is why an internal workshop is developed as part of the All Staff Retreat.

“From the workshop, I gained new skills on how to be an inclusive leader – for example, the EACH method [of Empowerment, Accountability, Courage and Humility]. Learning to use and practice this method is something that will help me a lot as an educator with the organic gardens project.” – Celia, Organic School Gardens Educator

Here is to a successful 2015 All Staff Retreat!