Melissa’s eyes have the intensity of someone older than 11. They are eyes that have witnessed violence. Like Melissa, Reina also lives in the Guatemalan village of Jocotenango. And she, too, has seen abuse and hardship firsthand. Gerardo is a young boy who describes himself using grown-up words: “pessimistic, antisocial, depressed.”
“These kids needed to learn to dream,” says Stephanie Wencl. She and Courtney Cronin are the cofounders of Rising Minds, a Newburyport nonprofit that believes in dreams and the potential inherent in every child. The organization supports international education initiatives, with a goal for children to learn more about reading and writing than about adversity.
Though schools in Guatemala are free, there is a fee for books and uniforms – a cost many families cannot afford. Numerous children, such as Melissa, Reina and Gerardo, have limited, if any, access to an education. “There is a lot of poverty in Guatemala,” says Wencl. “Some kids are really struggling.”
When Cronin and Wencl met a young teacher in Jocotenango, he shared his dream with them. Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes wanted to build a school that provided a free, integrated education program for his community. Rather than simply donating money, the two women returned home and rallied friends and family to the cause. They focused on fundraising, outreach and education based on “compassion and learning,” Cronin says, rather than charity.
The two women say they realize that even the largest of donations won’t change the economic situation in Jocotenango. Their aim, instead, is to give the children the opportunity to better their lives. “We believe the most powerful means of creating positive, sustainable change is through education.”
Their relationship with Juan Pablo and his school grew into a partnership, says Cronin. And their supportive network of friends evolved into Rising Minds. The school, Los Patojos, meaning The Little Ones, opened its doors in 2006 with three students. Through the efforts of Rising Minds, Los Patojos now provides nearly 100 underprivileged children a safe place to learn and grow. The daily schedule is rich in cultural heritage and artistic expression and includes a full meal – all without fees.
In addition to providing for those in need abroad, Cronin and Wencl emphasize their local involvement. They travel back and forth between Guatemala and home, teaching and learning in both settings. “All of our international work has a local impact through our programs and events,” says Cronin. Through Rising Minds, they want to bridge cultural, economic and developmental gaps that exist within and between the two places.
“We are going to get out of this current economic crisis by realizing, not ignoring, our interconnectedness across the globe,” says Cronin. “One person can and does make a difference. This has a rippling effect to do good: for themselves, for their families, for their communities and for the world.” Wencl says she, too, has felt the rippling effects of her efforts. “There is so much these kids have taught me,” she says.
According to the kids, there’s also so much the school has taught them. “Since Los Patojos,” says Gerardo, “I have study skills and a trust in myself. These are things that will help me in my life forever.” Reina says she is no longer afraid of people. “La vida cambia en Los Patojos,” she says. Life changes at Los Patojos.
Cronin and Wencl continue to raise funds to meet the financial needs of Los Patojos, such as providing electricity, offsetting food costs and paying teacher salaries. Individuals in their volunteer program help organize the events. Some travel to Jocotenango to teach, take photographs or help with building maintenance.
“The real hope,” says Wencl, “is to create a self-sustaining financial base for the school through sponsorships.” For an annual donation, which directly funds the school and its programs, a sponsor receives monthly updates, photos, artwork and letters from their sponsored child. ”The education and nurturing these children receive has such an effect,” says Cronin. “By empowering the school, we’ve empowered the kids to dream their dreams,” says Wencl.
Gerardo, who is on his way to junior high on a scholarship from Los Patojos, says, “I feel so happy that I could get in to Los Patojos and to be part of the future of Guatemala.” Since attending Los Patojos, Melissa has a shine in her eyes. She wants to be an archaeologist when she grows up. And her dream? “To better Guatemala so there is no more violence.”
Sponsor a Patojo: Los Patojos invites sponsors to be part of a cultural exchange that promotes the growth of leadership in a school, a village, a country – one child at a time. For more information on sponsorship or on volunteer opportunities, visit www.risingminds.org.
Dare to Dream – Rising Minds
Courtesy Stephanie Wencl
Melissa’s eyes have the intensity of someone older than 11. They are eyes that have witnessed violence. Like Melissa, Reina also lives in the Guatemalan village of Jocotenango. And she, too, has seen abuse and hardship firsthand. Gerardo is a young boy who describes himself using grown-up words: “pessimistic, antisocial, depressed.”
“These kids needed to learn to dream,” says Stephanie Wencl. She and Courtney Cronin are the cofounders of Rising Minds, a Newburyport nonprofit that believes in dreams and the potential inherent in every child. The organization supports international education initiatives, with a goal for children to learn more about reading and writing than about adversity.
Though schools in Guatemala are free, there is a fee for books and uniforms – a cost many families cannot afford. Numerous children, such as Melissa, Reina and Gerardo, have limited, if any, access to an education. “There is a lot of poverty in Guatemala,” says Wencl. “Some kids are really struggling.”
When Cronin and Wencl met a young teacher in Jocotenango, he shared his dream with them. Juan Pablo Romero Fuentes wanted to build a school that provided a free, integrated education program for his community. Rather than simply donating money, the two women returned home and rallied friends and family to the cause. They focused on fundraising, outreach and education based on “compassion and learning,” Cronin says, rather than charity.
The two women say they realize that even the largest of donations won’t change the economic situation in Jocotenango. Their aim, instead, is to give the children the opportunity to better their lives. “We believe the most powerful means of creating positive, sustainable change is through education.”
Their relationship with Juan Pablo and his school grew into a partnership, says Cronin. And their supportive network of friends evolved into Rising Minds. The school, Los Patojos, meaning The Little Ones, opened its doors in 2006 with three students. Through the efforts of Rising Minds, Los Patojos now provides nearly 100 underprivileged children a safe place to learn and grow. The daily schedule is rich in cultural heritage and artistic expression and includes a full meal – all without fees.
In addition to providing for those in need abroad, Cronin and Wencl emphasize their local involvement. They travel back and forth between Guatemala and home, teaching and learning in both settings. “All of our international work has a local impact through our programs and events,” says Cronin. Through Rising Minds, they want to bridge cultural, economic and developmental gaps that exist within and between the two places.
“We are going to get out of this current economic crisis by realizing, not ignoring, our interconnectedness across the globe,” says Cronin. “One person can and does make a difference. This has a rippling effect to do good: for themselves, for their families, for their communities and for the world.” Wencl says she, too, has felt the rippling effects of her efforts. “There is so much these kids have taught me,” she says.
According to the kids, there’s also so much the school has taught them. “Since Los Patojos,” says Gerardo, “I have study skills and a trust in myself. These are things that will help me in my life forever.” Reina says she is no longer afraid of people. “La vida cambia en Los Patojos,” she says. Life changes at Los Patojos.
Cronin and Wencl continue to raise funds to meet the financial needs of Los Patojos, such as providing electricity, offsetting food costs and paying teacher salaries. Individuals in their volunteer program help organize the events. Some travel to Jocotenango to teach, take photographs or help with building maintenance.
“The real hope,” says Wencl, “is to create a self-sustaining financial base for the school through sponsorships.” For an annual donation, which directly funds the school and its programs, a sponsor receives monthly updates, photos, artwork and letters from their sponsored child. ”The education and nurturing these children receive has such an effect,” says Cronin. “By empowering the school, we’ve empowered the kids to dream their dreams,” says Wencl.
Gerardo, who is on his way to junior high on a scholarship from Los Patojos, says, “I feel so happy that I could get in to Los Patojos and to be part of the future of Guatemala.” Since attending Los Patojos, Melissa has a shine in her eyes. She wants to be an archaeologist when she grows up. And her dream? “To better Guatemala so there is no more violence.”
Sponsor a Patojo:
Los Patojos invites sponsors to be part of a cultural exchange that promotes the growth of leadership in a school, a village, a country – one child at a time. For more information on sponsorship or on volunteer opportunities, visit www.risingminds.org.