SCAW BLOG: GUATEMALA, 2026: OCTOBER 13

During our time here, I have noticed how vibrant the community is. We have been invited to a party to celebrate the opening of the Main Street that has been under construction for over a year. We have experienced fireworks for the celebration of All Saints Day, there has been a parade of the Church statues, and a 40 km bike race to raise funds for a road safety Initiative for children. We also shared the facility with children practicing chess.

This area of Guatemala is primarily inhabited by Mayan people who speak Poqomchi, one of the 21 dialects of the Mayans of Guatemala. Many of the parents sign for their child’s registration for a bedkit with a thumb print. The small children often spend their first year of school with a teacher who can speak their language and gradually introduce Spanish. Coming to the big community centre with hundreds of strange people was a challenge for parents and children alike. Having their picture taken was a novelty for many.

Many mothers waiting for their child to receive the bedkit carried their babies in a traditional wrap. We rarely heard any crying! The mothers are very gentle and calm with their children. Although the women are often short, they can carry the heavy bedkit on their head with a baby on their back and walk away smiling.

Teachers accompany their students to the distribution. On Sunday, the principal and all the teachers travelled two hours each way to assist their students. What dedication!

Team Guatemala, 2026

Seeds of Innovation for Sustainable Development 🇬🇹 + SCAW 🇨🇦