TEACH Newsletter FALL/WINTER 2023
FAITH AND JOY – MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
By Shari Zamarra
For 20 years, with faith as our base, TEACH has worked with partners and tried to listen to the people we serve in our mission to support education for their children. In 2008, TEACH joined with the Claretian Missionary Fathers of Central America and the community of Semuy to begin a middle school, high in the mountains. San Antonio Maria Claret Educational Center is named for the Claretian founder. It is sometimes known as the Institute. For 15 years through many changes, TEACH has invested in the education of hundreds of….
TEACH Newsletter SPRING/SUMMER 2023
TEACH MOTHER
By Shari Zamarra
The picture here is a special gift given to me by a friend, who is also a generous TEACH supporter. As I write this, last Mother’s Day is on my mind. This recalls the mothers of our students. This nameless woman in her native costume is facing the future. The beauty of her country surrounds her. She, with her husband, has created the life of our students. With love, they sacrifice and persist so their students will be educated. She believes in the future.
As TEACH, we are called to…
TEACH Newsletter Fall/Winter 2022
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE (OURS), WE’RE GONNA LET IT SHINE
by Shari Zamarra
In this season of darkness, as I think of TEACH, the lyrics of this song occur to me and swirl around in my head. In our world, there is an abundance of darkness when we hear the news. When I hear of girls denied an education and rights of women trampled on, I am sad.
A priority and a concern of ours in our TEACH work is the education of girls. Even though there is still work to be done, we are happy that this is possible in Guatemala and it is a relatively good situation, compared to some other countries.
Teach Newsletter Spring/Summer 2022
HOW DO WE DO IT? WE WORK IN FAITH AND PARTNERSHIP
by Shari Zamarra
How do you run an organization in another country, another culture, another language? At TEACH we ask ourselves this question quite often. In February, Jeff Schneider and I traveled to our TEACH projects in Guatemala for the first time in two years. In pandemic times, we have had to adapt. A point of pride for us is our ability to be nimble and pivot.
Teach Newsletter Fall/Winter 2021
GOD IS GOOD — ALL THE TIME
by Shari Zamarra
A friend who is a wise woman recently reminded me of this truth. But sometimes it is so hard to see when our world has so many challenges. As our minds and hearts turn to gratitude during this season, our TEACH world shows much evidence that God is good – all the time. The state of TEACH is good, and we are grateful.
teach newsletter Spring/Summer 2021
TOGETHER, WE ARE AN OCEAN
by Shari Zamarra
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
I came across this quote by Ryunosuke Satoro recently and realized it applies to TEACH. The news from the border can be overwhelming. The sight and stories of so many young people wanting to come to the U.S. touches my heart. It seems as though they are our kids. Why do they come? They are hoping for a better life. This hope is what we are giving our students with TEACH – hope for a better future for themselves, their families and their country.
But there are so many, how can our efforts matter? Just as in the starfish story, in which the person keeps scooping the dying starfish off the beach – “it matters for this one.” Your support for TEACH may seem like just one drop, but you are part of that ocean. Volunteers, partners, students, families, teachers – each does their part. Bishop Domingo Buezo of Izabal, Guatemala reminds us that drops like ours eventually fill the bucket.
TEACH Newsletter Fall/Winter 2020
TEACH STAYS DEDICATED TO OUR MISSION DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES
by Shari Zamarra
It is a pleasure to greet you in this season of gratitude. As the Advent season approaches and our daylight lessens, we are reminded of the valuable virtues of hope and patience, sorely needed while our world still seems upside down. When so many things are uncertain, TEACH stays true to our mission. Your generous response to our Matching Funds Appeal buoyed our confidence.
In Guatemala, our students continue to study despite challenging conditions, including Covid-19 deaths of some parents in one area. Fortunately, at that site, TEACH supports a psychologist to help. While the Covid-19 case numbers, are not large the lengthy, widespread community closures pose great hardships for families. Then Hurricane Eta caused severe flooding.
TEACH Newsletter Spring/Summer 2020
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
by Shari Zamarra
As I write this our world is upside down. First, prayers go out to all of you for any hardship and/or anxiety you may be experiencing. Second, Covid-19 is impacting our TEACH world in two ways.
Our fundraising has been affected by current restrictions. The annual Bingo/Silent Auction, which was scheduled for March 28th was cancelled; it usually nets $4000. And a major source of income — our Mission Appeals planned for this summer in Miami and Minneapolis/St. Paul —is uncertain. We are concerned that we may not be able to cover our expenses. We understand that there are many pressing needs at this time, but if you can help us and perhaps also share the good news of TEACH with others, we would be most grateful.
Teach Newsletter Fall/Winter 2019
SHARING OUR VERY SAD NEWS FROM LIVINGSTON, GUATEMALA
by Shari Zamarra
Our TEACH family was shocked and saddened to learn that Luis Xol, 44, and his younger sister Olga, 24, were killed August 29, 2019 on the Rio Dulce river on their way home from a shopping trip. Since TEACH began in 2002, Luis has been a vital partner in our mission. He was one of 12 children raised in Lagunita, Isabal. He and his wife Filomena’s dedication to education was evident not only for their own five children but for all the children in the area, which made him an obvious partner for TEACH.
TEACH Newsletter spring/summer 2019
NEW SCHOOL DEDICATED AT DOS ZAPOTILLOS LAST FEBRUARY
by Fred Walker
We could hear the voices of happy children and the music of marimbas as our TEACH contingent made its way up the steep path to the village of Dos Zapotillos, one of our TEACH-sponsored schools in eastern Guatemala. Excitement was in the air as we proceeded to the formal dedication of the village’s new classroom.
When we first visited this village three years ago, we were driven there by Padre Abel, a Central American Claretian priest in the parish of San Antonio de Padua. We met with the village council under a thatched roof, supported by bamboo poles, on a dirt floor. This was the classroom that the village primary school children called their own. During the meeting, the council’s spokesman asked if TEACH could provide financial support to build a new classroom. We told them that we required a detailed written cost proposal and that we would consider their request at our next Board of Directors meeting.
Teach Newsletter Fall/Winter 2018
‘INCAPARINA,’ YOU SAY?
By Fred Walker
During the 2017 TEACH delegation visit to our sponsored sites and institutions in Guatemala, we were introduced to a rural village that had an adequate school building, but, prior to our visit, had been without a teacher for several years.
We were pleased to see that a new teacher, for whom TEACH is now providing funding, was now present. There were 13 families — approximately 80 Q’eqchi’ and Ladino people — including 15 children of school age. The villagers are subsistence farmers who also fish for commercial purposes and for their own consumption.
TEACH Newsletter Spring/Summer 2018
CHAIR’S MESSAGE: GIFTS FREELY GIVEN FILL MY HEART
By Shari Zamarra
As I reflect on our relationship with our TEACH partners and families, lines from a song come to mind:
“All that we have and all that we offer, Comes from a heart both frightened and free. Take what we bring now and give what we need. All done in His name.” I have in my kitchen humble reminders of gifts received on TEACH trips – a bamboo pencil holder painted by a child at Los Quineles and a small ceramic turtle given by parents at Sanabria. These keep our friends in Guatemala close to my heart.
Of course the gifts go in both directions. One could say that our gifts of money and time far outweigh gifts we receive, but think about the student letters, the smiles, the lessons learned, the leaps of faith, and much more. Who’s to say that the exchange is unequal? TEACH is in this time and place as a result of a gift from the Claretian Missionaries and our founders David and Anne. And because of your generous support. May our hearts be filled with gratitude!
TEACH Newsletter Spring/Summer 2017
CHAIR’S MESSAGE: YOUR TEACH BOARD IN ACTION
By Shari Zamarra
When I consider the status of TEACH this spring, many verbs come to mind -- verbs like these action words: Informing, Thanking, Evolving, Listening, Learning, Partnering, Seeking.
Informing and thanking you our supporters is vital. We know that without you, there would be no TEACH. In 2017, we have 11 sites. Our sites must be accessible for visits and must conform to our mission. As we listen and learn, we are led by our local Guatemalan partners and community leaders and are assisted by our U.S. partners. I am happy to report that 2016 was our best year ever and our finances are sound, due in part to Fred Walker’s excellent financial management, the success of our Diocesan Appeals (led by David Megel and Anne Larin), and the hard work of our Board members.
TEACH NEWSLETTER FALL/WINTER 2016
CHAIR’S MESSAGE: HOW DO WE SAY ‘THANK YOU’ — LET ME COUNT THE WAYS
By Shari Zamarra
In November our thoughts turn naturally to gratitude, especially to you our sponsors, donors, and friends. Without you, there would be no TEACH. Many groups call for your donations; you choose TEACH. I’d like to tell you about other sources of gratitude.
“Thank you for what you do for my country.” How many times have I have heard this phrase spoken by Guatemalans? Countless!
Certainly, we hear it from our partners, teachers, children, and key people at all our TEACH sites. They express their gratitude in their smiles, small gifts, letters, and warm hospitality.