PROYECTOS

INTERCULTURAL FRIENDSHIP

Por: Ana Fabiola Sutuj

Martes 10 de Septiembre, yo buscaba ayuda y entonces vi a un señor y yo le pedí ayuda para que me enseñara Algebra y él me dijo que si y me enseñó (INTERES CAPITAL ETC). Y así empezó una gran amistad, como él vivía cerca de mi casa en el camino me dijo que quería ser mi Padrino, él es una persona muy buena; yo quiero ser igual que él. GRACIAS MIGUEL.

Yo le escribí un Poema le hice un dibujo Creo que le encanto, claro que depués de algunas clases fue muy triste cuando se fue.

By Mike Baird

My brother Jim and I were hanging around the courtyard, after our first Spanish lesson, when we were approached by Heidi, one of the dedicated CEX staff. "Anyone want to teach English or Mathematics tonight to some kids from the community project?"

"Sure, why not," we replied. I soon found myself at a beat up table outdoors, surrounded by four very hungry (for both knowledge and food evidently) kids, on equally worn out wood chairs. Three of my newfound students met me eagerly with bright eyes_ the other seemed a bit depressed. Each clearly needed someone to help in building not only basic skills in math and English, but in developing self-esteem as well. The appointed hour passed in what felt to be a moment. As the hour was ending, my older brother Jim, who was engaged in a similar group, called over to me and asked, "Where else would you rather be in the whole world tonight?"
"This is it!" I replied. I hadn't felt this rich in ages. The kids were helping me at least as much as I was helping them. From then on during our brief two weeks stay, we taught three or four nights a week. It was something worth doing, and it felt good. It helped us practice our Spanish. But more than anything, it helped us reset our priorities on what was important to us in life.

After the first class, from a third table, a bold and confident Miss Ana Fabiola Sutuj, 14, approached me. "Are you a teacher? Do you know advanced math? Can you teach me things about time-value-of-money, capital, interest, etc." I said I was not a teacher, but an engineer but I certainly knew of these things, and would be glad to try to teach her. As the hour was ending, I asked her if she was tired. "Not yet we still have five minutes to go!" She wanted every opportunity, every minute, every chance to succeed. She asked for one-on-one teaching from me every day thereafter in math and English. Ana's enthusiasm, intelligence, and amiable personality clearly touched my heart. We had dinner together twice with some other students and teachers at a nearby restaurant (a real treat for the kids), and I was privileged to met her proud parents and to be invited into her house on two occasions. I guess you could say that we bonded.

The next day in the office I asked Heidi how I could further help Ana. After all, I was going home in just another week. It was then that I learned that CEX had a formal program for sponsoring deserving children like Ana. For less than a dollar a day, I could make a difference in the quality of life of one very important individual. There are dozens of Anas in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, whom you could help if you reach out too.

Mike Baird
Chief Technical Officer
Snap-on Tools
mikebaird@firstonline.com

A full, public school scholarship includes all school supplies, required school uniform, shoes, and emergency medical care. The cost is $175 per year for elementary school children, and $250-300 for high school children.

If you have any further questions, would like to be a sponsor or would like to help us out by sending school supplies, children’s books, computers and supplies, any teaching aids, medical or dental supplies, please see information below. CEX offers internships and volunteer opportunities with the above projects as well as with our popular clinic.

Thank you for your support.

Full name of sponsor:_________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________
Phone:_________________________ FAX: _______________________________
E-mail: _____________________________________________________________
I would like to sponsor a girl: ______ boy: ______ doesn’t matter:______
Elementary:________________ High school: ________________
Full scholarship: ______________ Half scholarship: _______________
I am enclosing my (annual, biannual, quarterly, monthly) payment for $: __________________

Please feel free to enclose a letter to your child in English or Spanish and a photo of yourself with your payment. You will receive a letter and photo from your child promtly.

© Copyright 1996 by Juan Carlos Aguilar and Casa de Español Xelajú