“I watched as little hands reached eagerly for the books. Their fingers traced the words, eyes wide with wonder, imagining stories of their own.”
This month, we invite you into the vibrant world of a kindergarten teacher in rural Guatemala, Brenda. Before entering the Spark program, her classroom had only a handful of books, shared among all the teachers, and most of them had to be rented. But Brenda had a dream – to build a space where her students could explore endless possibilities, one page at a time.
Fast forward to today, and thanks to the support from the GLP, Brenda’s dream has become a reality. Her husband even stepped in to build a custom bookcase, and now, it’s filled with books that her students can finally call their own.
But the story doesn’t stop there. In the two-year teacher training program, she has learned innovative ways to spark her students’ imaginations. Activities like the “Magical Footstep” and “Magical Board” transformed her classroom into a hub of creativity.
Through these methods, students didn’t just learn letters – they became storytellers, artists, and little scholars, proudly writing their names and forming words for the first time. What’s more?
Brenda’s passion didn’t just impact her students – it reached their families, too. Parents are now more involved, helping with costumes and celebrating their children’s progress. This isn’t just a story about one teacher. It’s a ripple effect of change that starts with a book, a lesson, a moment.
Why does this matter?
Because when we support teachers like Brenda, we’re not just investing in education; we’re investing in the limitless potential of every child who opens a book.
Now is your chance to multiply your impact. Join the 2024-2025 Global Grant #2463588 and help more teachers like Brenda inspire the next generation.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Review the GLP Request for Funding and share it with your club’s International Service Committee.
- Make Your Pledge by December 1, 2024. You can pledge online or send a check with “GLP” in the memo.
- Request a Match through your District Rotary Foundation Chairperson to multiply your donation
Help us reach a milestone of $65,000 in club donations by October 31st. Any club making a donation over $500 by the end of October will be eligible for Guatemala Literacy Fellow recognition (usually a $1000 minimum donation). Together, we can make a lasting impact!
As a supporting club, you’ll receive a complete report detailing how your contribution made a difference, photos of the students and schools you impacted, and personal letters from the children whose lives you’ve touched.
Make your pledge today. Help us continue to transform classrooms across Guatemala and break the cycle of poverty through education.