1 The IT course at the 

High school of Basic Education “Flor del café” (Hoja Blanca)

Information from Jenifer Domingo, teacher

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Jenifer and her colleague teach their students in all subjects including computer science. There are only 10 boys and girls because most of the young people in this area finish school after six years of primary school, then work or emigrate. Right now there are seven in first grade and three in third. At this time the enrollment of two more students is announced.

 

Students have two computer classes a week, but they can work on the computers at other times if they need them to do their homework in other subjects. There is no Internet access at the school. Almost all young people have a cell phone, but they cannot use it at school.

 

Right now they are doing exercises with Office: they write texts with Word and learn to use tables and formulas with Excel. They are always excited to discover something new and are happy to be involved in this project that provides for reports and investigations of all kinds.

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The video chats with Jenifer showed her great commitment, especially when she planned to have the whole class participate in a virtual meeting in the computer room. She only gave up when it became clear that the network performance that day was not enough and all attempts to solve the problem would fail. But there is no doubt that we will still make it!

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2 The computer course at the 

National Institute of Basic Education Campo Bajo (Hoja Blanca).

Information from Paola Ángel, teacher

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From Monday to Friday, Paola Ángel and her colleague live in the same Institute, a recently inaugurated new building with good infrastructure. They teach all subjects – now even computer science! – 19 boys and girls: 9 in 1st grade, 5 in 2nd and 5 in 3rd. It was a pleasure to listen to Paola:

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"The atmosphere in the classroom depends on the area where it is located. In the urban area there are more problems. Here in the Hoja Blanca, young people respect traditional values. I have a great love and appreciation for t these kids because they are very respectful.. When we play and it's time to make noise, we all make noise, and when it's time to be quiet, we all are quiet. It's a very nice atmosphere because we all love each other. I consider that's because parents are tougher when it comes to values. We teachers are the doctors, the lawyers... everything. For me it's very harmonious."

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"The level of the students is a little lower than in Cuilco because the students do not have access to the Internet, nor to television and in the elementary school a single teacher works with several grades in the same classroom. The problem is made even more serious when a boy finishes elementary school with good grades: how do you go on to high school...until university? Of the 19 who are currently in high school, surely 20% have enough potential for a career of this kind."

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We understand that a computer course is of great importance for Paola's young people because by learning to handle information technology well, they will gradually be able to fill in their gaps in knowledge. However, let's see if this project confirms this theory, if in practice in Hoja Blanca it is possible to get Internet. The interviews have already taught that some problem possibly can arise.

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3 The computer course in the schools of  Cafetales (Esquipulas, Chiquimula)

Information from Abel José Fuentes, accountant of the Cafetales Cooperative

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The Cafetales school complex includes the Alexa Mixed Rural Official School, the nursery level; the Official Rural Public School Cafetales, the primary level, and the National Institute of Basic Education, the telesecundaria level, for a total of 91 students. The three are well equipped, the only thing missing was a room with computers to be able to give computer classes. We know that today no one can apply for a job if they do not know how to fulfill it. So far, our children did not have access to a computer. To date, parents who have the financial means have sent their children to the closest school in Chanmagua because there is technology there. As the government does not support our school in this situation, it is important that a Federation of Cooperatives like Fedecocagua or a Cooperative like ours assume social responsibility and give this bonus to the community.

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When the project was approved and we received Q85,000 from the UGK Foundation, the Cooperative decided to match 43,000 Q ($5,600) for the renovation of a room that had been abandoned. In fact, we thought of renovating the facade of our headquarters to give  a more enhanced image of our Cooperative. But we consider the Cooperative should have a very strong social bond with the community. We know that education is teducation is the best way to make the world a better place. Guatemala lacks education and due to the pandemic the level has dropped even further. That's why we decided to invest our money first in the computer project and to improve our image later. The parents contributed to the improvement of the space part-skilled and part-unskilled labor worth approximately 3,000 Q. ($380).

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The idea is that each student of the three levels will have their computer course that will be given by the teacher of their grade. Desks and computers and a voltage controller are being set up right now so everything will be ready on August 4th, opening day. We will have Internet already installed in the room, offered free of charge by a local company. 

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As in the chats with Jenifer and Paola, it is clear that there is great interest in a regular exchange of views - promising!

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