Silvia started high school this year! She is specializing in accounting so she will be able to study business administration when she goes to college. Her high school course she picked is one of the pathways that will prepare her and is a prerequisite for business classes in college. This career path also helps open the door for many job opportunities even if she does not go to college. Her ultimate dream is to be a reporter, but it is a risky job to pursue as there aren’t many openings for this position and it does not pay a whole lot unless you become famous. With a specialization in accounting, she will be able to get a good paying job and also pursue her dream career in the future if she chooses.

Paola is in her final year of high school and learning to be a bilingual secretary and continues to enjoy her classes. Both girls received some less than favorable grades for their first bimester so we will be following up to see how we can help them make sure they have what they need. Since school started this year, we began supporting them by buying a monthly internet plan for their phone so they can attend classes online and submit their work. The cost of the internet cafe at an hourly rate was too inefficient for them and they do not make enough money to pay the Q100 ($13) at once for internet. This has been the reality for a few of the families we serve. We are still waiting to receive Ana’s grades, so we will see how she is doing soon.

We had been talking with Apolonia about helping her purchase a refrigerator so she could sell frozen goodies as well as better preserve fruits and vegetables to sell from her home. We were trying to find a way to help her purchase a refrigerator from the ministry (used) so that she didn’t have to spend a whole lot and they bought one from a store themselves! While we were surprised, we were also encouraged to see them trying to make it on their own.

She had been working at the local recycling center but the pay was not enough to absorb the cost of her daily travel via public transport. They started demanding longer hours and since the job required a lot of walking, she developed pain in her foot which made it even more difficult. She is back to picking up odd jobs around her community. One struggle we have had in helping her is that every time she has an idea for a possible way to make money and we find a way to support her in it, she seems to back down when it is time to make it happen. Since she has gotten the refrigerator, she has shied away from any way of using it to create a greater income. Most of the reasons she has explained seem to be connected with trying not to cause any waves in the community with other folks who are selling from their homes. The “competition” could come across as offensive and Apolonia is very cautious not to make any enemies. While this seems very odd to us in the US, we try to remember that in Guatemala, relationships are usually more important than making money, even if it is to your own detriment. The girls also have been picking up odd jobs as they can to help supplement their income. With school being strictly online right now, that allows for some flexibility in their schedule to do so throughout the day.