"Build it and they will come...”
The "Backyard School" was founded by Iris Santander and her family in San Bartolome, Guatemala. It has literally started as a simple classroom built in the families yard. Iris is a strong community leader, as is her whole family! Iris wanted a safe place for local children to gather after public school, after 1 PM during the school year as well as weekends, school breaks and for community events. Along with bible study, English and music classes, when volunteers are available the students also receive tutoring. Plans are in the works for other courses as well as a program for mothers on parenting and nutrition! Iris reaches out to the poorest of the poor in her small town. I feel so fortunate to have learned of this grassroots project and organize the opportunity to distribute the Days for Girls kits. I got to personally give the kits to two 12 year old girls and a 15 year old mother; the remaining kits were given to girls in a later class. Iris was present to provide the necessary teaching in Spanish for the use and care of the kits. I cannot express how neat of an opportunity it was to meet such beautiful people and learn more about their lives. I got to tour the classroom that is in the process of being built by the very own parents of the students.
