Help Provide Access to Education for Underserved Communities in Guatemala
$12,364.42
Raised
5
Donations
$50,000
Goal
Access to Education Collaborative is a partnership of Rotary Clubs and Non-profits in Canada, Central America and the USA.
Our goal is to provide 20 more communities this year with a RACHEL Digital Library System and Computer Lab with 12 to 20 stations.
Why Digital Library Systems?
Why Digital Library Systems?
- Most rural and poor schools in Guatemala do not have libraries or learning materials.
- Most do not have computers or access to the internet
The RACHEL Digital Library is an education system and library on a portable WIFI computer. It does not need internet. We will supply refurbished computers for a computer lab, teacher training and support for the system.
We will also offer nutritional supplements and a water filter for each school that needs them.
Gerry Beltgens spends months in impoverished communities in Guatemala each year. This is how he became aware of the great crisis caused by the the lack of educational funding in rural and indigenous communities, compounded by nearly 3 years of closed schools due to the pandemic. He has been involved in international relief for 19 years through Rotary and Disaster Aid International. He was overwhelmed by the need in Guatemala.
"I believe that the lack of access to education and the rampant malnutrition are two of the most significant impediments to improving life in the underserved areas of Guatemala. Working together we can make such a big difference" - Gerry Beltgens
