Review
The past year of Study Guatemala, known locally as El Liceo Britanico Guatemalteco, has been one marked with much sadness for all of us, but much progress for the school.
The inspiration and initiative for creating Study Guatemala came from Phil Melling. It was the enormous devotion, tenacity and extraordinary imagination of Phil, together with his wife Sue, which led to the birth of a school – such a wonderful achievement. It was with very much sadness we learned of Phil’s death in November 2011. Phil left behind him a great legacy. Phil’s death is a great loss to Study Guatemala and it would be impossible to fill the enormous gap left by Phil’s death but the Trustees are determined, together with the help and commitment of all our supporters, to ensure that the future of Study Guatemala is safeguarded.
This year’s report, therefore, covers all that has happened over the past year – a year which has been one of great progress and achievement in the life of El Liceo.
The past year of Study Guatemala, known locally as El Liceo Britanico Guatemalteco, has been one marked with much sadness for all of us, but much progress for the school.
The inspiration and initiative for creating Study Guatemala came from Phil Melling. It was the enormous devotion, tenacity and extraordinary imagination of Phil, together with his wife Sue, which led to the birth of a school – such a wonderful achievement. It was with very much sadness we learned of Phil’s death in November 2011. Phil left behind him a great legacy. Phil’s death is a great loss to Study Guatemala and it would be impossible to fill the enormous gap left by Phil’s death but the Trustees are determined, together with the help and commitment of all our supporters, to ensure that the future of Study Guatemala is safeguarded.
This year’s report, therefore, covers all that has happened over the past year – a year which has been one of great progress and achievement in the life of El Liceo.
Following the completion of the project to construct a purpose built school in March 2010, El Liceo Britanico Guatelamalteco moved in its entirety - pupils, teachers, furniture and equipment - from its rented premises to the new building two miles away. Liceo Britanico Guatemalteco now houses 156 students (81 girls and 75 boys) in a purpose built centre which is incomparably better than the building it previously occupied.
Building upon the previous developments, the achievements of the school have continued to be outstanding. We continue to have outstanding measures of success as demonstrated by the high academic achievements. On average, 86% of pupils achieved the required pass rates and 80% of pupils progressed to the next grade. When pupils have failed to reach the required pass rates, or have not progressed to the next grade, this had largely been due to the extremely difficult circumstances of individual students and their families. Many of these families have continued to receive support from the school in a more informal way. The curriculum continued to expand, and now includes business planning and industrial art, subjects which increase career and job opportunities for the future.
This year the school celebrated its 7th anniversary by holding a ‘Cultural Week’ with a range of activities including dance, drama, and music, and in which both students and their families alike participated.
The School band continues to be a source of much pride for all, and has participated in many activities in the local community and across the country. The band comprises of 70 pupils (and past pupils) and were ranked in 24th place out of the 200 bands throughout the whole country – a tremendous achievement!
Trustees plans
In the summer of 2011, the board of trustees met to review and plan for the way forward of Study Guatemela. The major target of building a purpose-built school had finally been achieved. This had consumed much of our energy and focus over the past few years, and our supporters have helped significantly to add to the funds required to achieve this. It has always been the objective of the Charity to achieve a level of at least partial long-term sustainability. Now the building was complete, we agreed to review our strategy to achieve this long-term sustainability.
We agreed that the way to do this was focus our support in a much more targeted way, and have therefore agreed to use our supporters’ contributions to fund individual students. As from the start of 2012, Study Guatemala is now supporting 37 students on full grants. It costs £20 a month for a student to complete his or her studies. . The remainder of the students make some financial contribution towards their education. Two of the trustees visited the school in February 2012 to discuss further these plans with our Director. Whilst we all recognize that this transition will be a challenging one, we do know that it is the only way to ensure the long term future of the school. Study Guatemala’s focus now is to encourage new supporters to sponsor individual children, which we know will change their lives and the lives of their families.
Feedback from the visit
The February visit was a revelation for us. Neither of the trustees had seen the school for twelve months and the developments are fantastic – we have included some photos to show this, and uploaded a short very amateur video onto Youtube . Whilst our fundraising now focuses on individual grants for students, we are still hoping to make possible more improvements to some areas of the school which still need (or have) to be achieved.
We continue to support those children most in need. We include below some of their stories to help all our supporters know what a huge difference your support makes.
Rebecca, 13 years old, lives in an “area marginal” where great poverty marks her life. She started her studies late following representation by her family who couldn’t get her into school in any way without the help of a grant. Following a long illness, Rebecca’s brother sadly died of cancer. The costs of the medicines, treatments, and the funeral have left the family, who were already financially struggling, with an enormous debt that they are still struggling to find a way of meeting. Rebecca is a shy young girl bu has now commenced her studies and is very enthusiastic.
Keren, 13 years old, now lives with her grandparents in very difficult circumstances. Her mother left for the United States a year ago, traveling through Mexico to try and find work to send money home in order to try to improve the lives of her family. However her mother was detained at immigration and her father has disappeared, leaving Keren abandoned by both parents. Keren is the oldest of five siblings with much responsibility for their care. Her grandmother, who is now 70, cleans and irons during the week to have enough money to feed the family, and at the weekends grandmother cleans offices. Keren, when not at school, cleans offices with her grandmother, to try and get the money for the family survival.
Keren was not going to study this year, because the family had no funds to pay for her education. She was going to give up her education and work in a shop in order to earn a little money and pay for her lunch. Study Guatemala’s support has meant she can focus on her education and earn some additional money outside of school time.
Heidy Alezano – 13 years
Heidy, another 13 years old girl, also lives in an “area marginal” where life is very difficult and marked by great poverty and violence. She lives with her grandmother, because last September, her mother, returning from work, was murdered when thieves searched for her mobile phone. Her mother was the only source of income for the family, who are now left in the care of her elderly grandmother. Grandmother now works, with Heidy’s older siblings, making tortilla’s to earn enough money for them to survive.
Heidy’s father disappeared seven years ago, and nothing is known of what happened to him.
Heidy is a very introverted child, very dedicated to studying but in many ways struggling with her life. The school have engaged the support of their psychologist to help Heidy, and offer some counseling to address the emotional trauma she is trying to come to terms with.
Conclusion
This past year has been one of much sadness for the charity and all its supporters. Whilst the supporters of the charity remain committed to its purpose, they feel Phil’s loss greatly. The trustees wish to express their huge appreciation of all that Phil has brought to fruition.
The Charity, however, must continue to celebrate the tremendous achievements of the school, its pupils, and its teachers. We must also recognize the immeasurable contribution made over many years by the school’s Director, Eduardo . Under his direction, and with the on-going commitment of its supporters, the school continues to thrive and grow.
Thank you to all of our supporters. Much has been achieved, many challenges have been encountered and overcome, and we look forward to the opportunities and challenges we are likely to face over the forthcoming 12 months.
Jane Aitman
Sue Melling
Study Guatemala
Building upon the previous developments, the achievements of the school have continued to be outstanding. We continue to have outstanding measures of success as demonstrated by the high academic achievements. On average, 86% of pupils achieved the required pass rates and 80% of pupils progressed to the next grade. When pupils have failed to reach the required pass rates, or have not progressed to the next grade, this had largely been due to the extremely difficult circumstances of individual students and their families. Many of these families have continued to receive support from the school in a more informal way. The curriculum continued to expand, and now includes business planning and industrial art, subjects which increase career and job opportunities for the future.
This year the school celebrated its 7th anniversary by holding a ‘Cultural Week’ with a range of activities including dance, drama, and music, and in which both students and their families alike participated.
The School band continues to be a source of much pride for all, and has participated in many activities in the local community and across the country. The band comprises of 70 pupils (and past pupils) and were ranked in 24th place out of the 200 bands throughout the whole country – a tremendous achievement!
Trustees plans
In the summer of 2011, the board of trustees met to review and plan for the way forward of Study Guatemela. The major target of building a purpose-built school had finally been achieved. This had consumed much of our energy and focus over the past few years, and our supporters have helped significantly to add to the funds required to achieve this. It has always been the objective of the Charity to achieve a level of at least partial long-term sustainability. Now the building was complete, we agreed to review our strategy to achieve this long-term sustainability.
We agreed that the way to do this was focus our support in a much more targeted way, and have therefore agreed to use our supporters’ contributions to fund individual students. As from the start of 2012, Study Guatemala is now supporting 37 students on full grants. It costs £20 a month for a student to complete his or her studies. . The remainder of the students make some financial contribution towards their education. Two of the trustees visited the school in February 2012 to discuss further these plans with our Director. Whilst we all recognize that this transition will be a challenging one, we do know that it is the only way to ensure the long term future of the school. Study Guatemala’s focus now is to encourage new supporters to sponsor individual children, which we know will change their lives and the lives of their families.
Feedback from the visit
The February visit was a revelation for us. Neither of the trustees had seen the school for twelve months and the developments are fantastic – we have included some photos to show this, and uploaded a short very amateur video onto Youtube . Whilst our fundraising now focuses on individual grants for students, we are still hoping to make possible more improvements to some areas of the school which still need (or have) to be achieved.
We continue to support those children most in need. We include below some of their stories to help all our supporters know what a huge difference your support makes.
Rebecca, 13 years old, lives in an “area marginal” where great poverty marks her life. She started her studies late following representation by her family who couldn’t get her into school in any way without the help of a grant. Following a long illness, Rebecca’s brother sadly died of cancer. The costs of the medicines, treatments, and the funeral have left the family, who were already financially struggling, with an enormous debt that they are still struggling to find a way of meeting. Rebecca is a shy young girl bu has now commenced her studies and is very enthusiastic.
Keren, 13 years old, now lives with her grandparents in very difficult circumstances. Her mother left for the United States a year ago, traveling through Mexico to try and find work to send money home in order to try to improve the lives of her family. However her mother was detained at immigration and her father has disappeared, leaving Keren abandoned by both parents. Keren is the oldest of five siblings with much responsibility for their care. Her grandmother, who is now 70, cleans and irons during the week to have enough money to feed the family, and at the weekends grandmother cleans offices. Keren, when not at school, cleans offices with her grandmother, to try and get the money for the family survival.
Keren was not going to study this year, because the family had no funds to pay for her education. She was going to give up her education and work in a shop in order to earn a little money and pay for her lunch. Study Guatemala’s support has meant she can focus on her education and earn some additional money outside of school time.
Heidy Alezano – 13 years
Heidy, another 13 years old girl, also lives in an “area marginal” where life is very difficult and marked by great poverty and violence. She lives with her grandmother, because last September, her mother, returning from work, was murdered when thieves searched for her mobile phone. Her mother was the only source of income for the family, who are now left in the care of her elderly grandmother. Grandmother now works, with Heidy’s older siblings, making tortilla’s to earn enough money for them to survive.
Heidy’s father disappeared seven years ago, and nothing is known of what happened to him.
Heidy is a very introverted child, very dedicated to studying but in many ways struggling with her life. The school have engaged the support of their psychologist to help Heidy, and offer some counseling to address the emotional trauma she is trying to come to terms with.
Conclusion
This past year has been one of much sadness for the charity and all its supporters. Whilst the supporters of the charity remain committed to its purpose, they feel Phil’s loss greatly. The trustees wish to express their huge appreciation of all that Phil has brought to fruition.
The Charity, however, must continue to celebrate the tremendous achievements of the school, its pupils, and its teachers. We must also recognize the immeasurable contribution made over many years by the school’s Director, Eduardo . Under his direction, and with the on-going commitment of its supporters, the school continues to thrive and grow.
Thank you to all of our supporters. Much has been achieved, many challenges have been encountered and overcome, and we look forward to the opportunities and challenges we are likely to face over the forthcoming 12 months.
Jane Aitman
Sue Melling
Study Guatemala
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