Why Guatemalan Scholarships??

Last week I announced an exciting new step for So Sew Organized...we are partnering with Team Guatemala to provide scholarships for two hard-working Guatemalan teens.

Since I made the announcement, it has been so fun to see some orders trickle in and know that each time a portion of that sale is going towards these scholarships. As I craft each item, I think about how this will benefit Alan and Ruth and am prompted to pray for them. It is such a blessing to know that we can be involved in making a difference in these two young people's lives!

You might have questions like, "why these two teens?" "How are they really using my money?" "What kind of school do they attend?"

Glad you asked. :)

Ruth attends Proximos Pasos, a Christian school for girls. The Vision of Proximos Pasos (Next Steps Girls School) is to offer a Christ-centered educational experience to girls who are denied that opportunity by the public schools in Santa Maria de Jesus. Their approach to education is Biblically based and covers the areas of academics, physical, emotional and spiritual health, family involvement and occupational training. Located in Santa Maria de Jesus, an indigenous village of 25,000, this school offers a Christian education to 125 girls from 1st to 6th grade. Classes includes sewing, cooking, English, and Bible .

 Alan attends a co-ed school called Vida y Esperanza (School of Life and Hope). There is a strong emphasis on the Bible and sharing the Gospel through words and actions with the students and their families in Santa Lucia Milpas Altas. The school began in 1999 with 16 students and 3 teachers. They now have 20 teachers and full time staff and 320 students in grades kindergarten through 9th grade. Their long term goal is to facilitate positive change in Guatemala though education and to discipline students.

My aunt, who organizes missions trips with Team Guatemala, writes this:

"I have had the privilege of working with Ruth and Alan in their classrooms, getting to know their teachers, and visiting their homes, their siblings and families. They are both good students and very thankful for the opportunity to attend school. Not all the children are as faithful. Ruth and Alan are very dear to my heart and I miss them. Your contribution helps show them and their families the Love of God. I have seen first hand how this program has spiritually transformed children and families in Guatemala."

It is estimated that 657,233 children do not attend elementary school in Guatemala, corresponding to 26% of the total population between 7 and 14 years old. Seems like a lot, doesn't it? Our minds doubt and we tend to wonder, "With all of that poverty and lack of education, what are we really accomplishing with just two scholarships? Are we even making a difference?"

And I'm reminded of this story...

A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water.
Time and again he kept hurling things into the ocean. 

As the man approached even closer, he was able to see that the boy was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time he was throwing them back into the water. 

The man asked the boy what he was doing, the boy replied,"I am throwing these washed up starfish back into the ocean, or else they will die through lack of oxygen. 

"But", said the man, "You can't possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach, and this must be happening on hundreds of beaches along the coast. You can't possibly make a difference."

The boy looked down, frowning for a moment; then bent down to pick up another starfish, smiling as he threw it back into the sea. He replied,

"I made a huge difference to that one!" 

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Friends, for this month, Guatemala is our beach, and Ruth and Alan are our starfish. We might not be able to change the lives of all 657,233 un-schooled children, but together we can make a huge difference in the lives of these two. Won't you be a part?

You can join us by...

1. Making a purchase from So Sew Organized
2. Sharing this opportunity with your friends via social media and word of mouth
3. Praying for these children and the funds needed for their schooling.

I can't wait to see more orders come in to help us reach our goal of one month's schooling for each of these children. If you have any questions about these children, their culture, or their schooling, feel free to ask and I'll see about getting some answers. Thanks for being part of this special, life-changing project!