New phase, new faces...same goal for the August TMs

On Sunday the TMs arrived in Panajachel to begin the program in Peña Blanca, nestled high above Lake Atitlán. We have six TMs on the project for the first time and will be teaming them up in the classrooms.

We started the training this week at the GVI Staff House and the TMs were inquisitive and attentive during the presentations. We finished it off this past Saturday with the CPR and First Aid training.

We started the week off with the Grameen trip. Alomgir and Borhan gave an excellent description of the bank here in Guatemala. We visited a Grameen center in Santa Catarina Palopo on the northern side of the lake.

Daniel, Alomgir’s assistant, accompanied us to the center and explained more about Grameen’s activities. The TMs participated in the meeting and were able to ask the women some questions. After the meeting, the women set up a makeshift market and exhibited their products.

On Tuesday we visited the Allegro coffee plantation. It was the first time the TMs went out on the lake and we had a beautiful day. The hike was tough and it was hot, but the TMs did well to make it up the side on the Volcano Atitlan where the plantation was located.

When we arrived, Martin, the owner of the plot and our guide, explained organic farming techniques and the process of coffee production. The TMs enjoyed it and it was a real taste of Guatemala. There is almost no tourism in this area and it is very rural. Martin is also 67 years old and has been through the Civil War here. The TMs were able to hear some of his stories and came away with better understanding of the history and lives of the Guatemalan people.

We have a good mix of personalities and skill sets here and we think this group will come up some interesting lessons for the kids. They are enjoying Panajachel and the festive atmosphere here. The first week has gone well and the TMs were great with the kids and the teachers during their observation days at the project. These are all good signs going into the second week where we will be doing the teaching workshop and spending our first full day on the project.

New phase, new faces...same goal for the August TMs