Susanna Wesley School

In the Guatemalan Highlands the average number of years that Mayan children attend school is less than 3. Multiple factors related to poverty contribute to high dropout rates among young Mayan children. In particular, many K’iche-speaking children have difficulty in the Spanish school system because of little or no exposure to Spanish at home or in the community. While working in Camanchaj over the past several years, Salud y Paz Director, Dr. Phil Plunk, recognized the need for an early educational program to address the learning and health needs of Camanchaj’s young children. Therefore in 2009 the school opened, thanks to the efforts of many volunteers.

The Susanna Wesley School is in its 4^th year of operation and it has 47 students ages 4-8.  We have three Guatemalan teachers that speak Spanish and K’iche.  The Preschool and Kindergarten students receive, breakfast, lunch and a nutritious snack and the First Grade students receive snack and lunch.  All students also receive free dental and medical care. The school provides a school uniform, a backpack and all school supplies. When the first graders go on to public school, they know how to brush their teeth, wash their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. They speak good Spanish, know all their basic concepts, and they eat their broccoli!!!