Dear Family and Friends,
I am thrilled to share some exciting news about my upcoming plans this summer. After the life-changing opportunity I had traveling with a team of Barrington colleagues to South Africa last summer, I cannot wait to jump into another opportunity to share my professional work and experience with another group of educators around the world. I discovered that offering a helping hand and working alongside those in less fortunate circumstances is a humbling, yet truly inspiring experience. So I am sure it comes as no surprise to you that this summer I have decided to travel with not just one team, but two! I have an amazing opportunity to work alongside Barrington colleagues, as well as educators from the area, on two different teams while traveling to impoverished communities located in Guatemala City, Guatemala and Comayagua, Honduras.
Guatemala’s population of 15 million is one of the poorest in Latin America. Nearly 25% of the country’s population is illiterate, ranking Guatemala 174th out of 194 countries in terms of literacy rate. The average length of schooling in Guatemala is four years; only three in ten children graduate from sixth grade.
In Honduras, 26% of children do not complete 5th grade and nearly 68% of elementary students must repeat at least one grade prior to 6th grade. While the education system favors males over females, 57% of male children do not continue school past 6th grade. Even though public education is considered “free”, high school students must purchase a school uniform including shoes, as well as their own school supplies/textbooks. These costs can be overwhelming to families who live on less than $2.50/day.
These statistics are truly heartbreaking and the reason why I want to help in any way possible. Through INGAGE Unlimited, our teams will provide training to educators at multiple schools in the surrounding communities, who rarely, if ever, receive professional development. We will work alongside two fantastic organizations called Potter’s House (Guatemala) and El Ayudante (Honduras) who have been providing support for both families and educators for several years. I am excited to work alongside these teachers to help support them and their students as best as possible, but I need your help!
Our trips are fully self-funded and each team member has been asked to raise the necessary funds to cover the expenses for this serving opportunity. I am hoping you will join my support team and help me to raise these funds! This is a volunteer service trip facilitated by the non-profit organization INGAGE Unlimited, so all donations are tax deductible.
I am looking forward to yet another humbling and life-changing experience this summer. I will send an update following my trips to share my experience with you. Thank you so much for your consideration!
With much love and sincerest gratitude,
Lauren