Ontario Students travel to Guatemala to earn a Grade 12 Credit and do community service at Access Education!

Another new school - Las Palmeras Guatemala

In January of this year we were able to open the first primary school in the village of Las Palmeras near Pajapita, San Marcos, Guatemala.

Through the enormous generosity of Grapes for Humanity Canada, www.grapesforhumanity.com the school was built from scratch in just under six months.

Two members of Grapes for Humanity, Liz Gallery and Cathy Martin, were present at the school opening in January, 2012 as well as Rabbi Elyse Goldstein from the Board of Access Education Guatemala Children's Fund and me - Adrienne Rosen.

The children of Las Palmeras have the opporutnity to excel and to be part of the future of Guatemala.

Metro Prep and High School Unplugged are on the way to Guatemala July 2nd!

28 Days in Guatemala...

Students from Metro Prep - www.metroprep.com and area Public Schools as well as a student from Baltimore and students from the Atitlan Multicultural Academy are headed to Guatemala.

They will be studying with High School Unplugged and traveling throughout Guatemala.

This year's courses are Genocide and Crimes against Humanity, Grade 11 and Indigenous Peoples in a Global Context, Grade 12.

 I am looking forward to this trip!

Tikkun Olam in Guatemala

May, 2011

I had the amazing opportunity to co-lead a tour to Guatemala with Rabbi Elyse Goldstein of Kolel - the Adult Centre for Liberal Jewish Learning.  Along with 7 other women we traveled throughout Guatemala.  We trekked through jungle in the Peten, we boated on Lake Atitlan and we zip-lined across canyons with the monkeys and birds in Panajachel.

The tour culminated with a trip to La Union where the participants taught an English class, taught a yoga class to indigenous women and students and painted one of Access Education's new classrooms.

Thanks for a great opportunity!

Markville Secondary School

April 19, 2011

I spent some great time with the student council at Markville Secondary School in Markham, Ontario!
These kids were progressive, motivated and had great questions.  They wanted to know what makes Access Education Guatemala Children's Fund different.  We told them that each year we only focus on one or two projects.  When you get involved with Access Education - you know exactly where the school is, exactly who the people are that are served and exactly what is being done.

The Opening of Basico in La Union

On January 20, 2011, the Instituto Basico de La Union opened its doors with fanfare and celebration.
The Mayor, the Director of Education and many other dignitaries, including Access Education board member Claire Merbaum.

Today was truly a blessing!  Without Access Education, these kids would have terminated school and would not go on to middle school.

La Union is getting a Middle School (en espanol - Basico)

Board member, Dr. Ellen Greenblatt and I are in La Union. Yesterday was the first day for students to sign up to go to middle school this coming January.  By days end 10 kids were registered.  By the end of next week they anticipate 75 more registrations.

Construction is m.oving along on the second floor structure. Thanks to the generosity of all those that attended the fundraiser ----------------we are well on our way!