Keeping Our Communities Safe And Children Learning

THE FACTS:

GUATEMALA:

• MARCH 13 - First case of COVID-19 identified. 
• MARCH 14 - Government announces school closures for 21 days. 
• MARCH 16 - Government enforces country-wide quarantine until April 12th 
• MARCH 22 - Government announces curfews: authorized personnel only permitted on streets from 4PM to 4AM.
• TO DATE - 47 cases have been identified, 1 deceased. There are currently no cases identified in Quiché, where the majority of our schools are located. 

HONDURAS:

• MARCH 11 - First case of COVID-19 identified. 
• MARCH 16 - Government enforces country-wide quarantine until April 12th. 
• Entire country is practicing social distancing, working from home, and following health advisories
• A strict schedule has been enforced to allow people to leave their homes. Based on their ID number, residents can leave Tuesday, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays or the other days of the week.
• TO DATE - 279 cases have been identified in Honduras, 11 deceased 

• MARCH 9 - First case of COVID-19 identified. 
• MARCH 11 - Schools and Universities close. 
• MARCH 24 - Government enforces a country-wide quarantine: citizens have 2 hours every 2 days to buy food and necessities, based on their ID number. 
• APRIL 1 - 1,317 cases have been identified in Panama and 32 deceased. There are  currently no cases identified in the rural Gnobe Bugle, where we work. 

HOW WE'RE ENSURING CHILDREN CAN LEARN FROM HOME:

Once we confirmed that our staff and communities were safe, we began focusing all of our efforts on creating ways for children to learn from home. 

With the governments not putting any learning procedures into places, we have found ways (see full staff photo on the right!) - even without technology or books!

• For communities that have cellular service, our trainers are using WhatsApp to send assignments to connected parents who then relay these lessons to families who do not have cell phones. Of course...remaining 6 feet apart at all times! 👍
• For our more remote communities that have zero cell service, our team's friends or family who are deemed essential workers have kindly volunteered to drop off lesson plans in each of the faraway communities.
• Through voice messages on Whatsapp, our team is recording short stories and sending them to mothers with a list of discussion questions so that children can still experience the joy of books!
• Specifically in Guatemala, our team is putting pressure to ensure that the government does not leave kids without technology behind.  Now that the country is finally gearing up for radio and TV lessons,  we are calling parents and community leaders to remind all to participate.

Across the board, our team is in constant communication with the mothers in each community, reinforcing the importance of education and reminding them that this is not the end of the school year... The kids WILL return to school. This comes along with messaging on how to help kids learn at home (e.g., make-believe play continuously builds imagination and creativity).

Lastly, we want to let you know that we will continue to update you on the creative ways we are bringing education into these rural homes. As always,  we are so grateful for your continued support. 

Thank you! Stay healthy, and stay tuned!