Run:Hope is a holistic, long-term program to strengthen teachers, students and communities to build successful básico (middle school) programs that will nurture a generation of future leaders for Quiché.
Run:Hope began with a dream to provide access to education in three rural communities of Quiché, Guatemala.
Why invest in Education in Quiché
Hope has been witness to the crossroads of the old and the new meeting in profound ways. In just the last few years, electric towers were constructed and miles of electric lines were run up the mountains for the first time in the history of these communities. Cell phone ownership and texting are now the norm for communities that once had access only to a single short-wave radio. Yet this influx of technology has occurred without significant changes to the educational infrastructure of these communities. Funding deficits, a lack of teachers and basic resources like desks, books and computers hold back the education system in this region of Guatemala.
WHY MIDDLE SCHOOL?
While inscription and retention rates are high at the primary level, there is a sharp drop in school attendance at the transition from primary to middle school level in Quiché. This trend seen at the macro level is also typical of the individual communities within Quiché where we work. This means that a majority of students in these areas are not receiving education beyond the 6th grade.
Our approach
We work with some incredibly dedicated teachers and school directors in the region who want to make middle school education more accessible to their students upon graduation from primary. We partner with specific schools in Quiché through the areas of teacher training, student development and community race days.
We work with some incredibly dedicated teachers and school directors in the region who want to make middle school education more accessible to their students upon graduation from primary. We partner with specific schools in Quiché through the areas of teacher training, student development and community race days.
Teacher Training
Meaningful education begins with effective and well-trained teachers. At partner schools, middle school instructors and staff will have the opportunity to participate in training seminars that are crafted around their teaching needs and interests. The process of developing these seminars are collaborative and evolve based on school staff feedback. Teachers from these schools may also apply for grants through Run:Hope to further their own education goals. A teacher in Guatemala only needs to finish their high school education. At this time we have 27 teachers who are receiving scholarships for their university education.
Student Development
Run:Hope seeks to develop students who will grow to be community leaders. The foundation of our program is that each student has been formed by a loving Creator who has given them unique gifts to develop. Just as running takes perseverance and discipline, pursuing an education takes stewardship of their best efforts. Run:Hope teachers seek to model and teach respect, honesty, fairness, leadership and service.
Community Races
An annual youth race in each of the three communities will be held to promote the importance of middle school education. These activities will be key to garnering community support.
Research
Monitoring and evaluating the progression of our work is integral to building a better project over time. Two key parts of our research during the school year involves integrating feedback from school staff on the program and monitoring student and teacher retention rates. We build on this by investigating community perceptions of middle school education.
Monitoring and evaluating the progression of our work is integral to building a better project over time. Two key parts of our research during the school year involves integrating feedback from school staff on the program and monitoring student and teacher retention rates. We build on this by investigating community perceptions of middle school education.
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