Ch-ch-ch-changes

I have recently decided to move to Guatemala in June with my friend Edd to work in Santa Maria Tzeja (SMT). SMT is an indigenous community of about 1,200 people located in the Department of Quiché in northwestern Guatemala. Santa Maria Tzeja was sadly centered in the violence of the Guatemalan Civil War, lasting from 1960 to 1996. After the war, the community has rebuilt itself with a strong foundation in education and community cooperation.

The community is dedicated to continuing to grow and develop. Edd is teaching English in fourth to ninth grades and I have the opportunity to help the community build economic development projects. I'll also get to be back in the classroom working with Edd and having children give me lots of high fives. I am very excited about this work as I want to continue my career in international nonprofit work specifically focused on economic development and education.

We'll be updating this blog regularly to keep friends and supporters up to speed on SMT life so check back to see what's new!