Posts by Hannah
Virtual Vision Trips Provide Way to Connect with Students and Families Amidst Pandemic
Miguel’s house is made up of pieces of corrugated metal, plywood and scrap metal. The home, held up by large sticks of wood, has dirt floors. Miguel sits at the kitchen table with his economical smartphone and connects to his virtual classes every day. His single mother makes tortillas in their doorway and sells them…
Read MoreView our 2020 Annual Report
I was in 5th grade the first time I learned how to shift. My dad would take me to basketball practice and teach me how to shift as he drove. After that, I practiced actually driving with my grandpa in a ’72 Ford pickup on old farm roads. Then, in my first year of college,…
Read MoreA New school year! All students to continue at-home learning
“I am excited to learn new things!” – Oscar, incoming kindergarten student Dear GRACES Community, Happy New Year! January in Guatemala not only brings the start of a new calendar year, but it also is the time of a new school year. Schools in Guatemala begin in January and continue through October, with November and…
Read MoreA Note of Thanks from the Executive Director
Dear GRACES Community, The year 2020 is just about over, and many people are looking forward to a fresh start. When I became the Executive Director of GRACES last year, I had no idea what this year would bring—I don’t think anyone did. I am not going to lie, my anxiety rose as we faced…
Read MoreCompassion and Solidarity
The first time I truly learned what solidarity meant was from my mother. A family at our church had lost their young girl, and my parents were going to her funeral. I remember I had to babysit for another couple that was going as well, and I told my mom, “I’m glad I have to…
Read MoreAt Home Learning for Escuela Integrada
For the past month, the teachers, students and parents of families at Escuela Integrada have been adjusting to the reality of at home learning- as school has been cancelled since March 16th. To start off, here are a few challenges that our families and teachers face when it comes to at home learning: Limited access…
Read MoreHannah sucks at track
I decided to be creative with my wardrobe the other day. Instead of wearing a typical t-shirt and gym shorts, I busted out the old high school track shirt! I tried to think about why I brought such an old t-shirt to Guatemala. Then I remembered. I moved to Guatemala permanently only three years after…
Read MoreInternational Women’s Day: A Faith Reflection
In anticipation of International Women’s Day, I was reflecting on women in Guatemala who had an impact on me, and the list is long! Recently, I had an eye-opening conversation with a mother at Escuela Integrada. Last week, I went on a home visit with our school psychologist to visit a mother, Flor, who just…
Read MoreCalling All Prayer Partners!
Escuela Integrada staff members will hold regular prayer meetings the last Tuesday of every month at 4pm EST. They want this to be a global effort and have asked if you would also come alongside them in prayer. If you are interested in becoming a prayer partner and receiving updates on prayer request that are…
Read MoreLove is kind
At the beginning of last year, Sergio, a father of one of the students at Escuela Integrada, handed his sons teacher a bag of school supplies saying that it was for Maria. Maria’s family simply could not afford the small amount of additional school supplies that families are supposed to provide for their children. Instead…
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