“I learned that with support anything is possible. Thank you for teaching me that dreams can come true and with your support I am able to keep studying and be able to reach my dreams. It gives me great pleasure to be able to express my sincere thanks for the support that you have brought me to cover the expenses of my studies.”
Marleny, age 16 –AMMID Bursary program recipient since 2016. In January 2020 Marleny is studying at the grade 11 level of high school in an accounting/book keeping program with an emphasis on computer skills.
Education is So Important - Background of our Bursary Programs
Every year during the annual stove-building trip, Canadian volunteers visit the small mountain top Quiché community of Panimaquim. During the 2012 visit, a group of parents arrived, tired and hungry, from the village of Chuicutama, after a six hour walk across the mountains at night to petition the GSP volunteers to help their children continue their education. They were requesting funds to help seven students who needed help to buy shoes, backpacks, textbooks, school supplies and clothing so they could continue their education past grade 8. Inspired by these parents GSP volunteers and teachers Keith and Lisa Walker spearheaded the first GSP bursary project. Through those first few years, we learned a lot about the education system in Guatemala, the barriers confronting indigenous students and how to provide meaningful educational support. Since then over 30 students have been helped to further their education past grade 6 in several different communities.
