Greetings! The Guatemalan Action Project is the after-school service learning component for "Cultivating Compassion in the Classroom."
In the winter of 2009, I was very fortunate to spend three weeks in the beautiful country of Guatemala. During that time I studied Spanish at Proyecto Linguistico in Antigua, Guatemala. It was an excellent Spanish immersion experience that included one-on-one professional instruction for 7 hours a day, and a caring Guatemalan host family.
As I traveled through Guatemala I met some amazing people, visited ancient Mayan ruins, took some incredible photos and witnessed the tremendous poverty 90% of the population experiences.
Despite their hardship, the Guatemalan people were incredibly warm, kind and generous. Upon returning home to the Hudson Valley, I knew that I had to find a way to do something helpful, and use my photos and experiences as valuable educational tools.
My experience with our youth has shown time after time that they are very sensitive to the issues, but often lack the opportunities to transform that concern into positive action for change. Many young people are not aware of their potential to make a real difference within their local community, or the global community that they are a part of.
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Dos Amigos from Santa Cruz la Laguna
Wallkill Middle School's Guatemalan Action Program Students
Morse Elementary School's Exceptional Activists
An exciting service learning program to benefit children and families living in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala.
Dos Amigos from Santa Cruz la Laguna
Welcome
Hello! My name is Betsy Sinsapaugh. I am a professional story~teller and story~teacher, located in
the Mid-Hudson Valley Region of New York.
While I wear many different "professional hats," this blog is celebration of the first Guatemalan Action Project, which is taking place at the John G. Borden Middle School, located in Wallkill, New York.
For the next 10 weeks, I will be working with approximately 15 seventh grade students to develop, market and implement student-led projects to raise funds for an amazing organization working with children, families and community leaders in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala.
Amigos de Santa Cruz has a number of extremely important initiatives which serve the Mayan community of Santa Cruz la Laguna. The community is comprised of three villages and three smaller villages located in the surrounding mountains.
Please visit their website to learn more: http://www.amigosdesantacruz.org/
the Mid-Hudson Valley Region of New York.
While I wear many different "professional hats," this blog is celebration of the first Guatemalan Action Project, which is taking place at the John G. Borden Middle School, located in Wallkill, New York.
For the next 10 weeks, I will be working with approximately 15 seventh grade students to develop, market and implement student-led projects to raise funds for an amazing organization working with children, families and community leaders in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala.
Amigos de Santa Cruz has a number of extremely important initiatives which serve the Mayan community of Santa Cruz la Laguna. The community is comprised of three villages and three smaller villages located in the surrounding mountains.
Please visit their website to learn more: http://www.amigosdesantacruz.org/
Group Photo
Wallkill Middle School's Guatemalan Action Program Students
Working Together to Make a Difference
Morse Elementary School's Exceptional Activists
Followers
About Betsy
- Phoenix Rising Sinsapaugh Kawamoto, MSW
- Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, United States
- I am a professional storyteller & storyteacher who has worked with students and adults for over 20 years. This exciting project is one of my service learning initiatives for the classroom; which are the culmination of many years of classroom experience, and community organizing and event planning. You can learn more about the many programs I offer at my website: www.phoenixrizing.net.