September 15th is the Guatemalan Independence Day.  The schools play a huge roll in the celebrations.  While most business have restricted hours or observe the official government holiday, kids learn about national spirit.  Most school bands participate in parades in their hometown or they put on concerts in the schools themselves.  Many, if not all schools have competitions and “fun days” that revolve around dressing up like some of the indigenous Mayans or other cultural activities like cooking special meals.  A lot of the older kids participate in the “running of the torch” where they run for miles and miles passing a torch back and forth while bystanders throw water at them!

Here are a few pictures of our kids participating in the parades.  Below, is a video that our missionaries put together last year for VBS classes that explains a little more about how Guatemalans celebrate their independence from Spain.

Dincy Fuentes (orange hat) waving a flag

Juan Lopez Garcia smiling for the camera

Michelle Letona (one of our missionaries) participating with the class she teaches