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A partnership between North American & Guatemalan
Rotary clubs and the non-profit organization
Cooperative for Education.

 
 
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How It Works

Rotary volunteers The Guatemala Literacy Project matches Rotary clubs in North America with needy schools in Guatemala. These clubs raise funds to purchase textbooks, library materials and/or computers. Contributions typically range from $1,000 to $5,000. 100% of funds collected go to the hard costs of the project. Not a cent goes to administration or fundraising.

The project is implemented jointly by North American and Guatemalan Rotary clubs & districts and the Cooperative for Education (CoEd). The GLP provides holistic and sustainable support to the communities it serves through separate, but complementary, programs:

 
boy with bookTextbooks
This program provides vital books (in the core areas of math, science, social studies, and Spanish) to middle schools in rural Guatemala in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
 

boy at computerComputer Centers
Computer Centers give middle school students in rural Guatemala the opportunity to use technology to solve real-world problems faced by their local communities, while developing the computer skills needed to secure better jobs after graduation.

 

CORPCulture of Reading Program (CORP)
CORP helps Guatemalan elementary school students become competent and enthusiastic readers by providing books, materials, and training for their teachers in engaging teaching methods.

 
scholarship girlsScholarship & Community Give-Back Program

The GLP's scholarship program removes economic barriers to education by giving talented Guatemalan youths academic scholarships and involves them in improving their community through organized service projects.

 
Self-Sufficiency Component
The most innovative aspect of these projects is that they are financially self-sufficient. Rental programs are set up in each school in which students pay the school a small fee to use a set of textbooks and/or the computer centers. This creates a fund for replacing the books and computers as they wear out.
 

Benefits

  • Empowers local people to help themselves. It's not a "giveaway."
  • Is self-sustaining after initial investment.
  • Improves grades by up to 30% and the overall quality of education by 70%.
  • Collaborates with a highly-regarded non-profit organization, Cooperative for Education (CoEd), with experience in the region since 1996.
  • Benefits a rural, indigenous population, historically the target of discrimination and marginalization.
  • Enjoys strong relationships with Rotary clubs in Guatemala that oversee the projects.
  • Not a cent of the money raised goes toward administration or fundraising.
  • Gives "Guatemala Literacy Fellow" credit.

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