Thank you to all contributing clubs and districts in 2011-2012! YOUR generosity made it possible for Rotarians from all over North America and Guatemala to deliver 6,000 textbooks, inaugurate computer centers benefiting 700 young people, and bring over 6,800 reading books to 1,900 schoolchildren.

Click here for the full 2011-2012 GLP Delivery Report, including a list of all contributing clubs and districts, photos and thank you letters from the Guatemalan children benefiting from your generosity!

This month, Rotarians from all over North America, Guatemala and the Grand Cayman Islands delivered 6,060 textbooks, inaugurated computer centers benefiting 1,397 young people, and brought literacy programs to 1,245 schoolchildren.

Click here for the full 2010-2011 GLP Delivery Report, including a list of all contributing clubs and districts, photos and thank you letters from the Guatemalan children benefiting from your generosity!

Fernando Augusto Gonzalez:
Learning to read, reaching for the stars

Fernando Augusto Gonzalez thinks about his parents all of the time. He wonders where they are; he imagines what they might be doing in that particular moment. Maybe, just maybe, they’re thinking about him, too.

Fernando lives with his grandparents in the impoverished, rural community of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. His parents migrated to the United States when he was a baby, in search of jobs that could support their growing family. Indigenous and illiterate, Fernando’s parents had few prospects at home, where more than half of the region’s residents live in chronic poverty and compete for limited resources.

Fernando’s grandparents put a roof over his head and give him plenty to eat. They even saved up their meager earnings for several months to buy him a uniform – without which he would not be able to attend school. Fernando knows they love him. But it’s not the same. He prays every night to be reunited with his mother and father. He wants to be a family again.

From time to time, Fernando’s parents send small amounts of money home. But the opportunities they hoped to find in the U.S. have been scarce and unpredictable. Fernando says his parents encourage him to stay in school andl earn to read, so that he can have a better life. Like all parents, they want more for their children.

The Culture of Reading Program (CORP) at Fernando’s school gives him, and his family, hope for a brighter future. Since entering the program last year, Fernando has blossomed. Once a shy and indifferent student, he now shows up early for school so that he can spend quiet time perusing the books CoEd provides his class. He has become an enthusiastic reader and learner, and often volunteers to act out the stories in front of the other second graders. His teacher jokes that Fernando will soon take over her job.

Fernando has bigger fish to fry. He wants to get a job in the capital, earn a lot of money, and help his parents to move back home. Fernando is confident in his abilities to succeed. All he needs are the right tools.

Before the GLP came to his community, Fernando risked becoming another statistic: one more drop-out, one more illiterate child, one more indigenous Guatemalan relegated to the cycle of poverty. All that has changed.

Besides improving his reading skills, CORP has also helped Fernando develop his talents as an author. I like to write about the stars and how I see my family in them,” Fernando states wistfully. “I know that, no matter where we are or how far apart we live, we can look up at the sky and see the same thing.”

For Fernando’s family, teachers and classmates, he is the star—burning bright with potential and promise for a better life, beyond the limited circumstances into which he was born.

NEWS UPDATE, July 2010
The GLP a Big Success at the RI Convention in Montreal!

The GLP was selected to have a booth and be featured in a breakout session at the 101st RI Convention in Montreal last month. More than 18,000 Rotarians from around the globe attended the convention, including 14 of our GLP Tour Veterans. Over the course of five days, we had the privilege of talking to hundreds of Rotarians about our self-sustaining projects. GLP Rotarian Carolyn Johnson's (Yarmouth, ME) breakout session on our primary school reading program was very well-attended and generated a lot of new interest. We met many wonderful people who share our passion for service and literacy, and the enthusiasm towards our projects was tremendous.

Please join us in welcoming the many Rotarians we met in Montreal to the GLP. We invite them to become active in our efforts to provide textbooks, computers and reading materials to schools in the 2010-2011 Rotary year!

Marcelino Axpuac: Once a Skeptic, now a believer in the power of working together to improve the lives of Guatemalan children.

Marcelino Axpuac is one tough customer. When GLP Rotarian Carolyn Johnson (Yarmouth, ME) showed up at his school in the town of Santiago Sacatepéquez in February 2009 to roll out the elementary school’s new Culture of Reading Program (CORP), he sat in the back row at the welcome ceremony. His arms were crossed defiantly, a grim look tattooed on his weathered face. He’d seen it all before. Development organizations show up in his village, make big promises they can’t or won’t keep, and then move on, leaving the townspeople to pick up the pieces. Marcelino used to let his guard down. He would, in the past, allow himself to get excited about potential opportunities for his students and their families. But not anymore. He’d learned his lesson.

Sensing his disapproval, the GLP took pains to engage Marcelino and explain how CORP is different from other development projects. Carolyn Johnson, CORP Project Manager, thought it would be an easy sell. After all, the GLP does not engage in dump-and-go development. The organization has a 13-year track record of building sustainable programs and long-term relationships with project communities. Marcelino wouldn’t budge.

“Organizations like yours lose interest quickly,” he retorted. “Then you leave. We’re no better off than we were before.”

Carolyn and her team persevered. They conducted their training, showing the teachers how to read books to their students and engage them in active classroom learning. Surprisingly, Marcelino attended every session, and took copious notes.

Training over, it was now time for the teachers to go back to their classrooms and practice what they had learned. But first, the GLP team handed each participant a stack of 12 high-quality children’s books. Marcelino couldn’t hide his surprise, or his enthusiasm.

“Other organizations tell us what to do, and some even show us how,” he explained. “But they don’t give us the tools we need to be successful. Imagine telling a poor carpenter to build a house, but not giving him a hammer.”

Carolyn could sense some major cracks forming in Marcelino’s steely façade.

The GLP training team traveled back to Santiago Sacatepéquez three months later to conduct follow-up training and classroom observations. All teachers—especially Marcelino—showed a remarkable grasp of the CORP concepts they had learned. And the students seemed actively engaged and interested in the learning process.

In September, Carolyn visited the community again to deliver its final round of training. As she set up her presentation materials, Marcelino approached her. Choking back tears, he thanked Carolyn, and the GLP, for bringing CORP to his community. “My kids are reading!” he enthused. “And for the first time, they care about school. And their parents do, too. This program is going to make such a big difference in their lives. The GLP is the best thing that has ever happened to us.”

Marcelino has agreed to help the GLP train other teachers entering the program. He has even filmed some instructional videos demonstrating CORP techniques, such as how to hold a book (face forward, so that the kids can see the illustrations). Who knows? In his new role, Marcelino may even manage to convert a skeptic or two.

NEWS UPDATE, March 2009
GLP Rotarian wins Service Above Self Award

The Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) has much to celebrate during Rotary's Literacy Month. Our very own literacy advocate Carolyn Johnson, of Yarmouth, ME, has been awarded the prestigious Service Above Self Award! This award is Rotary's highest honor for individual Rotarians, recognizing those who have displayed exemplary humanitarian service with a focus on active involvement in helping others. Of the 1.2 million Rotarians, the RI Board selects a maximum of 150 Rotarians to receive the award every year. Carolyn was nominated for the work she is doing with the GLP to change the culture of reading and improve literacy in Guatemala. Congratulations, Carolyn!

NEWS UPDATE, April 2008
GLP Delivers textbooks & computers to 5,200 more children!

The Guatemala Literacy Project is excited to share how we are finishing up another great year. This year's projects would not have been possible without the support and commitment of the 87 clubs and 23 districts that contributed to the GLP. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to bring hope through better educational opportunities to over 5,200 additional Guatemalan schoolchildren.

(Click here to see photos!)

In February, 46 Rotarians and spouses traveled as part of our book and computer delivery delegations to Guatemala. This was the largest group ever, including 37 from the United States, 7 from Canada and 3 from the Cayman Islands.

The Rotarians traveled to some of the most remote corners of Guatemala to deliver textbooks to 20 schools (in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango and El Quiche) working shoulder-to-shoulder with members of the Xela, Del Valle and Vista Hermosa Rotary Clubs. The tours also inaugurated 7 computer centers, including La Esperanza, and Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos. These two schools have received (and done well with) the Rotary GLP textbook program within the last two years. These centers will provide at least two weekly computer classes to each of the 696 students that attend these schools.

Here’s what some of our dedicated GLP Volunteers had to share about their experiences on our Delivery Tours:

"I believe that you don't really understand the gift of being a Rotarian and the ‘power of one’ until you have participated in an international service trip. I believe that the GLP Delivery Tour is a great place to begin your international service career."
- Sheila Mosley, Windsor-Roseland, ON

"The whole trip was special to me. It made me feel I was making a difference in the world, but more importantly to children."
- Mitch Phillips, The Jeffersons, NC

“The long-term effect of the project, providing the means for people to plan for their future, is the real life example of giving 'hope'."
- Carolyn Johnson, Yarmouth, ME

"The trip was extremely rewarding because we saw the good that our funds provide."
- Mary Bak, Glenview-Sunrise, IL

"One mother expressed her gratitude to our group, saying, "God will reward you in heaven." After the ceremony, I offered her a pen and pencil, and she started crying. That is the one story that really sticks with me. We all have so much; we can't even imagine what is it like not to have a pen or pencil and what a gift it can be. It still brings tears to my eyes."
- Gretchen Liebenberg, Gig Harbor, WA

Consider joining the next GLP Tour! Space is filling up quickly, so contact us soon for more information and an application.

NEWS UPDATE, November 2007
International GLP Exposure

The GLP is excited to announce that we are receiving even more exposure throughout Rotary International. This publicity is in addition to our highlights at the RI Convention, in the RI Annual Report, and our features in The Rotarian and Rotary World. District Literacy Coordinators throughout North America received a publication called Every School a Star - A Literacy Tool Kit. The GLP was at the top of the Resources and Service Opportunities list. What an accomplishment to be included in such a widely circulated kit! Another publication surprised us all by demonstrating the truly international spirit of the GLP when one of our very own Rotarians, Marie Munday (Aspen, CO), was featured on the cover of The Rotary Korea magazine.

Congratulations! The GLP continues to make its way around the world!

NEWS UPDATE, July 2007
Rotary International Convention

The GLP was selected as one of just four literacy projects to deliver a panel presentation at the 98th RI Convention in Salt Lake City last month. Approximately 14,000 Rotarians from around the globe attended the convention, including 22 of our GLP Tour Veterans.

Over the course of five amazing days, all of us who worked at the booth had the privilege of talking to hundreds of Rotarians about our self-sustaining projects. We met many wonderful people who share our passion for service and literacy. Brochures and tour information were disappearing faster than we could keep in stock, and the enthusiasm towards our projects was tremendous.

Please join us in welcoming the many Rotarians we met in Salt Lake City to the GLP. We invite them to become active in our efforts to provide textbooks and computers to schools in the 2007-2008 Rotary year!

NEWS UPDATE, May 2007
GLP brings hope to 5,600 more children!

We are pleased to report another very successful year for the Guatemala Literacy Project. Rotary volunteers helped in delivering new textbooks and inaugurating computer centers throughout 26 communities. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to bring hope through better educational opportunities to over 5,600 additional Guatemalan schoolchildren.

This year's projects would not have been possible without the support and commitment of the 84 clubs and 23 districts that contributed to the GLP. Thank you.

Thirty-five Rotarians from the United States, Canada and the Cayman Islands volunteered their time, labor and dedication to the GLP Delivery Tour in February. Some of their thoughts and impressions are shared below:

"One lasting image is that of a 7th grader sitting with a very old woman, showing her a book. The amazement in both of their faces revealed the potential of this worthwhile program." -Steve and Bonnie Avard, Grayson, TX

"I will not forget the moment when one of the 2nd graders sat next to me, put her little hand on my knee, and kept it there for a long time, just chattering away."
-Pieter Vos, Sun City West, AZ

"If I tell people one thing about the delivery tour, it will be that it was the best trip of my life." -Diane Damico, Glenview Sunrise, IL

NEWS UPDATE, January 2007
GLP featured in two Rotary International publications!

Rotary World, RI's quarterly newspaper, featured an article this month about the successes and continued efforts of the GLP. Enjoy reading the article in Rotary World.

NEWS UPDATE, October 2006
GLP leaders recruit new Guatemalan schools

Each August, Rotarians, staff and other volunteers travel throughout the Guatemalan highlands, offering the Textbook Project to principals and teachers at impoverished schools. This year we were fortunate to be joined by Rotarians Glenn Chamberlain (Ephrata, WA), Carolyn Johnson (Yarmouth, ME), Ann & Malcolm Williams (Dawson County, GA), Gary Law (Tempe South, AZ) and Matthew Kane (North Raleigh, NC; pictured right).

The recruitment teams visited over 40 schools in 5 days, driving long hours on bumpy, rural roads in some of the most breathtaking regions of Guatemala. It was all worth it, though, when the teams were welcomed by the schools, grateful for this exciting opportunity for their students.

A selection of professional photos by photographer Greg Rust, available in a 3-minute slide show, tells the Recruitment Tour story. Take a moment to view his incredible images. A word of caution, however: View them at your own risk as you may be tempted to join us next time!

NEWS UPDATE, April 2006
Microsoft partners with GLP to provide technology support

The GLP has much to celebrate after a Guatemalan press conference in which Microsoft formally presented to CoEd/GLP a $55,000 grant for computers and $200,000 in computer software.

CoEd staff members, Microsoft representatives, media, students and a principal from our projects were present for this exciting occasion. Our staff was given the opportunity to explain the project to the media and several newspaper articles resulted from this press conference. The students and Zolia Aleman, principal of Tecpán National School, also gave powerful testimonials about their positive experiences with the GLP.

Microsoft’s generous gift will greatly support both the current students of our 16 Computer Centers as well as countless future beneficiaries.

NEWS UPDATE, July 2005
The Rotary Centennial Convention

As you may know, Rotary International is one of our largest contributors and has supported CoEd’s work in Guatemala since 1997. This partnership between North American & Guatemalan Rotary clubs and CoEd is called the Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP). Over 240 Rotary Clubs have made contributions and dozens of individual Rotarians have spearheaded fundraising initiatives to benefit the schoolchildren of Guatemala.

This past June, the GLP was selected as one of two literacy projects, worldwide, to be represented at the Rotary Centennial Convention in Chicago.  CoEd staff and Rotary Delivery Tour veterans were pleasantly surprised and impressed by the sheer volume of Rotarians who stopped by the booth.  The saris, turbans and robes, mixed with western dress, emphasized the greatest aspect of being a Rotarian—international fellowship with others from around the globe.  

“In my country,” remarked a Rotarian from Ghana, “children also go to school without books.”  He now plans to involve his Rotary club in an effort to replicate the GLP model in that country.  “Education,” he said, “is the only way our young people can hope to succeed.” 

Other visitors were more interested in getting their clubs involved in Guatemala Literacy Project 2005-2006: “This is just the project I’ve been looking for,” said a Rotarian from Missouri.  “Every year, my club just puts checks in the mail.  The GLP will give us a chance to connect with the people we are helping.  I’m planning to join the book delivery tour in February.”

Over the course of five days at the convention, Jeff, Joe and current GLP supporters talked to over 800 Rotarians at the booth.  Brochures, copies of the Rotarian magazine featuring the GLP, and tour information were disappearing faster than they could keep them stocked.  

Rotary supporters of CoEd are thrilled to see this kind of momentum build for the Guatemala Literacy Project. They see this year as the greatest opportunity yet to deliver a blow to Central American illiteracy.  The 2005-2006 goal for the GLP is to place first-ever textbooks in fifteen schools in the impoverished Quiché and Quetzaltenango regions of Guatemala. They also have a goal of establishing six new computer centers, which will focus on giving marketable technical skills to high school kids.  In all, approximately 4,000 students will be given the gift of traditional and technological literacy, skills which are key to breaking the brutal cycle of poverty.