An Update on the Emergency Situation in Guatemala

An update on the COVID-19 Crisis in Guatemala from Guatemala Director, Lauren Vaske

Dear friends,

I hope that this email finds you safe and healthy.  I know these past few weeks have been challenging for everyone.  Know that we are in this together, and that despite all of the bad news, positive things are still happening.  We are so grateful for your support for the people of Guatemala during these challenging times, and we want to keep you abreast of what’s been going on. 

As of Tuesday night, Guatemala is up to 168 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and it is now community spread.  The restrictions scheduled to expire this past Sunday have been extended until the end of the month.  This means that the 4pm curfew is still in place, all public transportation has been suspended, and many towns have decided to close their borders to non-residents. Despite all of the restrictions, some positive things are happening. 

One of the positive things that has come out of this situation is that people are thinking outside of the box.  Our staff in Guatemala is no exception.  Creativity is not stressed in the Guatemalan school system, so asking the staff to be creative in their work has been challenging for some of them, but everyone is doing a great job.  I want to share one such story with you, Antonio.  Antonio is one of our tutors.  Since he is no longer able to do in-person tutoring, he has been doing virtual tutoring sessions. He is also now offering story hours for families in his community and providing tutoring to struggling students from the local elementary school, all the while following proper social distancing guidelines. It’s thanks to your support that Antonio is able to continue working and receiving a salary so that he can support his family.

Here are some more positive things that have been happening thanks to your support. 

• The elders have no family who can support them, and they rely on the support that they receive from the Elder Center.  Your support has provided 60 elders with food and hygiene supplies that they need to survive.     
• 20 scholarship students and 6 students from a local school are receiving virtual tutoring so that they don’t fall behind while classes are suspended.
• New designs are being created for the artisans, and orders are being placed to our partner artisans so that they can support their families. 
• Our 8 staff members in Guatemala are still employed and receiving a paycheck so that they can support their families.
• Creativity is being fostered.

All of these positive moments have been possible because of your support.  Thank you. 

Best wishes,

Lauren Vaske
Director in Guatemala

An Elder Center staff member packs food to be delivered to the elders