About Study Guatemala

The charity began in September 2001 as a scholarship programme for underprivileged children. It was inspired by Eduardo Estrada Espel, a Guatemalan public school teacher, and Phil Melling. Phil became aware of the secondary educational problems as a result of visiting his son Tom who was teaching in Guatemala City. Together, Phil, a university professor, and Senor Espel wanted to do something to address the lack of educational opportunities for the most deprived children and young people.  It was Phil's vision, drive and commitment to education and improving life opportunities that forged the British-Guatemalan partnership project that launched the scholarship programme, subsidising secondary education for some of the the most disadvantaged children in Guatemala City. Scholarships allowed children to stay in school after the age of eleven, instead of working on the streets to support their families.

The students flourished, and in 2003 it was decided to turn the programme into an initiative which could have a much bigger impact: a fully-equipped secondary school. The charity provided funding for the rental of a building in Zone 5, which was transformed into a school over the summer of 2003. Eight teachers and a secretary were appointed, with Señor Espel as on-site director. Swansea City Council in Wales donated a substantial number of computers and printers.