July 2008

Who could resist that smile! Safe Passage is pleased to introduce Estefani. Estefani is ten years old, and her birthday is October 3^rd. She is in the 4^th grade. Her parents work in the Guatemala City dump, scavenging for items that might have value to sell or recycle. At school, her favorite subjects are language and science. At Safe Passage, she loves her daily English language lessons. She has a very positive attitude and enjoys playing soccer and jumping rope in her free time with her friends! Estefani says she would like to be a teacher when she grows up because she wants “every child to learn what I’m getting to learn now.”

June 2008

Esvin, who turned 14 years old on March 29th, currently lives with his grandmother near the Guatemala City dump.  Esvin enjoys almost all subjects at school including: math, language, and science.  At Safe Passage, he most enjoys sports, English lessons, and arts and crafts.  He is currently learning to play the guitar and his favorite song is "Siempre Seremos Amigos" ("We Will Always Be Friends"). He plans to be a lawyer when he grows up.  Esvin has attended Safe Passage for two years and continues to do very well in school. 

May 2008 (fully sponsored)

Martin is a two-year-old boy who was born on April 11th, 2006. Martin began attending Safe Passage’s Fran Doonan Early Childhood Program in January.

Martin lives with his parents and five siblings. Their house is made of tin, and most of the family shares one bed.  Martin's father works collecting items from the garbage dump to recycle or sell.  Earning about one dollar a day, he provides the primary income for the family.  Martin’s mother works occasionally in the dump when she is able.

Martin is a loving, playful and active boy who enjoys music class, dancing, time at the playground and playing with toy cars.  Safe Passage is delighted to welcome Martin and to provide him with a chance to grow and learn in a healthy and safe environment.

April 2008

Safe Passage is pleased to introduce you to Marvin, who is our Student Board President.

Marvin, along with the other student board members, is planning monthly activities for Safe Passage’s children. In March the student board encouraged their peers to write down ideas and opinions for improvements to Safe Passage’s programs - to be reviewed by the student board and staff.  This month the board is organizing a talent day for students to show off their many artistic, musical, and creative talents!  Marvin indicates that the goals of the student board are to promote harmony among all children at the project, and to engage and empower their peers with fun, educational activities. 

Marvin has attended Safe Passage for six years.  He is studying to be an elementary school teacher, and would eventually like to go to a university to earn a degree in education.  Marvin’s family does not currently have a stable source of income.  His mother doesn’t know how to read or write, but would very much like to learn.  With the teaching skills Marvin is acquiring, he is excited to soon be able to start teaching his mother how to read and write! His parents are so proud of all that Marvin is accomplishing.