SOLIDARIDAD FONDO EDUCATIVO PARA GUATEMALA

Origin:

The project 'Solidaridad- foundation for the education of Guatemala' was founded the first of July 1995 by a German teacher, Claudia Maria Strunk and Julio Rodolfo Lima, Director of the Minerva Spanish School. 

We hope to empower the people of Guatemala to overcome of the principle problems of their country. Shortage of education, medical assistance and poor housing conditions.

Objective:

The project is primary aimed for children who need education but also includes medical assistance, education for woman, construction of schools, creation of small factories, social and economical studies of poor families. 
Our focus is to assist in the reconstruction of post-civil war Guatemala. 
There are no administrative expenses (realized by volunteers) and 100% of the funds received from international sources goes into direct help. 

Would you like to do volunteerwork?

The project Solidaridad gives you the possibility to do voluntary work here in Guatemala.

The project is 100% voluntary, that means that you don't receive a salary. 

While you are working with indigenous families you will learn more about their culture, political problems and enjoy experiences not possible in your home country. 

If participating as a volunteer sounds interesting but your primary object is learning Spanish, Minerva Spanish School can help. 
Most of the students attend classes in the morning and have the afternoon free for other things, for example voluntary work. Minerva will help your schedule the time to spend helping with the project. 

To participate as a volunteer, it is necessary to study for at least three weeks in Minerva Spanish School:

• You need to speak at least basic Spanish

• You should be familiar with our school, its practice and philosophy

• You should have a knowledge of the culture, the economic environment and the politics in our country. 

If you decide to stay additional time in Xela as a volunteer, Minerva can help arrange your stay with a Guatemaan family. This includes three meals a day and you will have your private room. 
The weekly charge for this service is $40. 

We need a lot of books and different things for the children and women. If you have some clothes, books, toys at home that you are not using anymore, please, bring it to Guatemala and we will give it to the children and families who need it. 

Expansion of the project:

1995: Scholarships to 5 children of poor urban families (including transportation costs, school fees, books, and housing). Support of 7 families facing extreme poverty (including food, housing, and medical assistance).

1996: Scholarships to 15 children and support of 25 families.

1997: Scholarships to 45 children and support of 75 families. Construction of a school for 500 indigenous children in the rural area of Quetzaltenango.

l998: Scholarships to 50 children and support of 105 families. Construction of 2 schools in the rural area of Guatemala. Implementation of a school for blind children in Quetzaltenango. 3 loans for the creation of small cooperatives (handicrafts and agriculture).

"Thanks to the project Solidaridad and the help of my ’second parents in Germany’ I’ll graduate today to be a teacher. 
Martin Ixquiptap, 20, Indian Kakchiquel, Sololá, Guatemala.

Claudia Strunk. Elsasser Str.15. 26121 Oldenburg Germany. Tel/Fax: ++(49) 441-8853228 Email: ClaudiaStrunk@hotmail.com

Minerva Spanish School & Cultural Center, 24 Av. 4-39 Z.3. Quetzaltenango. Guatemala. Tel/Fax: ++502 767 44 27 e-mail: EscuelaMinerva@hotmail.com