Our Services
In Guatemala the school day runs from 8am-12pm, or 1pm-5pm. The majority of children attend school in the morning, resulting in larger numbers attending Open Windows in the afternoons.
Open Windows’ resources are divided intoTHREE main services, which run in conjunction with one another:
- an After-School Program (assisting children with their homework and school projects);
- an Activities Program (creative educational games and workshops);
- a Computer Center (provides 190 students with free, two-hour weekly classes, and a certificate upon completion).
- books and reading incentives;
- an after-school study environment;
- learning computer skills;
- creative learning opportunities through its regular afternoon Activities Program.
“We used to come to read so we could win the prizes, but now we like to come because we like reading the books here.”
—Nelson, Darlin, Edwin and Manuel (all aged 8)
The library section has approximately 7,000 books, including picture books, fiction, non-fiction, and reference books such as encyclopedias and school textbooks that support the local school curriculum. Since only 1% of Guatemalans read for pleasure, books are not usually found in Guatemalan homes. Books are extremely expensive to the average Guatemalan and therefore a luxury item.
Children are taught how a library works e.g. categorizing, alphabetizing, and how to leave a card to mark where the book came from, so they know to put it back in its correct place. They are also taught that books need to be respected and looked after. Initially, books could only be read in the library, but in 2004 the Circle of Friends Program was created to enable children to take books home overnight to encourage families and children to read together.
Watching a program
The Programs
Open Windows operates THREE educational programs, which are open to the children of San Miguel Dueñas and its environs. At present, over 1,500 children are enrolled and participate in some or all of the programs. On average, children come to the library for a couple of hours a day after school.
The After School Program
The morning sessions tends to be quiet as the majority of children attend school in the mornings and come to the library in the afternoons. There are usually 12-30 children every morning, and from 45 to 120 in the afternoons! The teachers assist children with their homework and school projects, and help them research information for schoolwork by showing them how to use the books in the library.
There is a close relationship between the local schools and library. The schools are familiar with the foundation’s resources and assign student work accordingly.
The Activities Program
The Activities Program is when the teachers bring the books to life. Every afternoon, there is an interactive literacy activity that explores the story and content of a book. The activities include reading, writing, creativity, listening and thinking skills, as all are important components of literacy learning.
The teachers have been learning new ways to develop student interest in books through the daily literacy workshops led by a certified teacher from Wisconsin.
This is also a time when children can express themselves creatively through arts and crafts. These projects are typically extensions of stories. Visitors and volunteers kindly donate many of the much needed materials. The children may be involved in making puppets or other handcrafts (see photos). This is the program where volunteers generally are involved, as they can organize short-term projects with the kids depending on how long they will be volunteering.
The Computer Center
Computer center
At the end of 2003 ten computers were generously donated to the library by: Rotary International; the Rotary Club of Woodside, Portola Valley, CA; the Rotary Club of Redwood City, CA; and the Rotary Club of Antigua, thanks to the hard work of Board Member, Joan Fuetsch.
In April, 2007, the construction of the new computer lab was complete. This lab will have an additional 10 computers, thanks to the generous support of Woodside/Portola Valley Rotary Club, Rotary International and the Rotary Club of La Antigua, Guatemala. This new lab will be able to serve twice as many students as before.
Children and adults can enroll in free, two-hour weekly classes (children are always given priority). At the end of the course, students are awarded a certificate. This is the ONLY local access the town has to learn computer skills since none of the local schools have computers. 300 students are currently enrolled and 58 have already completed courses.
Graduating students can enroll in a more advanced course if they wish. The classes are extremely popular and there is a long waiting list; regular attendance is required to complete the course. Lilian Bran, a resident of Antigua and qualified computer instructor, teaches these courses.
Because of Guatemala’s high illiteracy rate (29%), low educational levels and low school attendance, Open Windows offers a vitally important educational resource to the children of this community, giving them the tools with which they can change their lives substantially. Literacy and computer skills will help students to find jobs in the highly competitive job world of Guatemala, in particular in the nearby town of Antigua, which is the center of the country’s booming tourist industry – one of the biggest industries in Guatemala.
There are three levels of computer classes: basic computer skills; a mid-level course on how to use Microsoft Word; and an advanced level course covering the Excel program. The basic course has students familiarizing themselves with the mouse and its functions by coloring pictures. The mid-level course helps to teach typing skills and how to use word-processing programs. The advanced level covers more sophisticated programs, such as Excel and Microsoft Publisher.
At the inauguration of the new library extension in September 2005, the first round of 50 computer students received certificates for the mid-level course and eight for the advanced course. There are currently 300 students enrolled at the computer center, including many re-enrollments. Past students have included local firemen who needed to know how to use a computer for their work, and a local man who wanted to apply for a job in a warehouse, but needed computer skills in order to do so.
We connected 10 computers to the internet in the new lab, so that the community will be able to learn how to use the internet as a resource for information and job searching. This opens up a new world of ideas and experiences for the students and adults of San Miguel Dueñas.
Read more about our other services.