Help Victoria raise money

In March of 2019 I had the incredible opportunity to visit the community of Chuchún while on a corporate service trip with School the World. While there I witnessed the incredible work and lasting impact this non-profit organization has in Guatemala. While working alongside my coworkers at Flywire in this rural community, we helped add three new classrooms, a playground, and an outdoor recreational space. It was rewarding to speak with the children, parents, and teachers about their life and local customs. Their enthusiasm for life and caring nature continue to inspire me. 

One memorable experience was visiting the home of Norma, an active member of the community and one of the women overseeing the construction. Her house, where she lives with her husband and 3 children, is a 10 minute walk from the school. She showed us was how to weave (hacer tejida) the traditional head scarf of the region called ‘cinta.’ We watched her expertly weave the colorful thread and pull it tightly to create an intricate pattern. It is woven with beautiful colors and worn for special occasions such as weddings and the school’s dedication ceremony! This craft has been passed down by the women in Norma’s family for generations; she learned from her mother who learned from her grandmother. Norma takes special orders from the local community and makes them for the women. She invited me to sit down in her chair and showed me how to do it, guiding my hands and instructing me. It was beautiful to see this local craft and Norma's supportive involvement in the community. One key component of School the World is parent trainings for mothers like Norma to show them how they can help their children learn and support education at home.

My work with this organization has expanded my worldview and fueled my passion for international education. While on the trip, we provided the community with new rooms and resources, however, they gave me much more than I could ever give, teaching me life lessons and opening my eyes to the extent of global educational disparities.

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School the World's structure generates sustainable improvements to education by involving the entire community and gaining funding from local municipalities. They've proven basic resources, coupled with capacity-building of parents and teachers, dramatically improves the quality of education and leads to reduced dropout rates and higher completion rates. 

I am looking forward to running the Falmouth Road Race for School the World. Please considering donating to my page to raise funds for such an amazing organization!