After concentrating for many months on learning Spanish, we’ve now started searching for ways to engage and make a difference for the community. I’ve connected with a couple non-profit organizations who are happy to have my video production talents. Interestingly, my first three videos all have to do with education. I guess if I’m an expert at anything it’s education videos.
MAIA Impact School in Solola is a newish school targeted towards Mayan girls who typically dropout of school at 14 or younger. With challenges from poverty and cultural norms that discourage girls from continuing education, the school’s goal is to change the trajectory and provide opportunities for these Mayan girl “pioneers.”
The first video I made was the graduation of the first class to finish middle school. Now they will continue on as the first high school class.
The second video I made was the induction of new families. In order for the school to be successful, they need to have 100% buy-in from the girls’ families. There is an extensive selection process to make sure the families are fully-committed through high school. The imagery of parents using a thumb print to sign papers really highlights how their daughters are starting on a different trajectory. They will leave high school speaking English, Spanish, and Kaqchikel and fully prepared for university.
I’m also doing some work for EPIC, a small organization run by some Mennonite friends of ours. They fund various organizations in Guatemala. The first video I did was with Mujeres en Acción. Rural schools only have one teacher per grade and don’t have art or physical education teachers. Through Mujeres en Acción, EPIC is funding a Physical Education teacher for a Middle School in San Jacinto, Guatemala.
There will be more coming in the new year. I already have a shoot scheduled for EPIC’s agricultural program in January and another video for MAIA Impacto in February.
Los Gringos Aguacateros 