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The global pandemic significantly affected Guatemala, and changed our plans.

However, God has been faithful, and we believe that He will lead us out of this season with gratitude. We will come together again.

THE LATEST

Here you'll find the most up-to-date information on our operations. Read below for more context and updates.

Our school is currently running an online model where high school classes happen online and elementary school teachers are filming and sharing videos for core subjects with their classes.

Parents come by the school once a week to drop off homework and pick up new worksheets. This provides accountability and support for students, and feedback for teachers so that we can provide the best education for our students (given this situation).

Our municipality has gone back and forth between “red” and “orange” in the COVID-19 database for Guatemala — we’ve been told that in “yellow” we can start hybrid (partially in-person) classes. We’ve prepared for this eventuality with socially-distanced classroom, hygiene protocols and new hand-washing stations. For now, we’re praying for a swift end to the pandemic.

A QUIET CAMPUS

A three-week shutdown quickly became a new normal for our staff and students

On Saturday, March 14th, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was announced in Guatemala and schools were shut down for three weeks. A team that was supposed to come from Canada that day had cancelled. Looking back, we can now see that Friday, March 13th was our last day of in-person classes for 2020. Stricter shutdowns came for public transit, use of personal vehicles, masks and gatherings.

COVID-19 numbers in Guatemala have trailed those in North America, but had their own peaks and surges. Restrictions have lessened, but school did not return during the 2020 calendar year.

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Marck, Grade 12, watching a lesson while doing his schoolwork at home

A new garden (er, farm?) near our school to sell vegetables

ONGOING NEEDS, ONGOING WORK

As school families are affected by lockdowns, our staff is responding as they can

Our school serves many low-income families, and many of our families lost income as businesses closed throughout our tourism-heavy region. In many families, parents are unable to work, or must risk infection in order to provide for their families. Many student sponsors and other donors have risen to the occasion and donated to provide groceries for families from our school that are in need.

Once it became clear that this temporary shutdown was in fact a new normal, our staff began to organize worksheet packages for students and brief online videos for essential subjects. Teachers were in regular contact with parents through text messages, helping students via audio messages. When students needed help, our teachers were there to support them.

With our school closed, we knew that we were facing a loss of income from parents unable to pay tuition and the loss of sales from our stationary store and our school kitchen. Our Guatemalan staff responded by working hard in a number of small businesses: growing and selling vegetables, cooking and selling large-batch meals on Saturdays and starting an artisanal bakery (we’re truly sorry you can’t taste the cinnamon buns from way over there).

Laisa and her family received a needed gift card for groceries

Lesvia, Grade 1 teacher, keeps videos interesting for her student

AN END TO THE PANDEMIC, IN JESUS' NAME

We continue steadfast in our conviction that God will bring us back together to this place with rejoicing.

We are completely convinced that God has called us to this work in Guatemala, and we know that we will see an end to this pandemic. We believe that we will see a nation transformed as we give intentional care to individual students through Christ-centred education. A temporary shutdown does not cancel God’s good plans for Guatemala.

We are postponing, cancelling and reinventing events in Canada and the US, and have seen  friends and sponsors rise up to meet our needs. While COVID-19 continues, we’re relying on new fundraising methods and ongoing support to make it through, and we remain confident that God has prepared us all for this season and that we will come out of it strong.

Thank you all for your support and kindness in this unexpected season.

JOIN US IN PRAYER

These are our prayer requests in this season, and we welcome you to partner with us in prayer.

We are praying for:

  • an end to the pandemic in Jesus’ name
  • our students to come back to school (for some students, this is the safest place they know)
  • grace for our students in the meantime (especially for those in difficult situations)
  • unity, grace and strategies for our staff team as they adapt to different work situations
  • ongoing provision for Global Shore as some traditional fundraising cannot be done

LEARN MORE

Watch our Vision Night 2020 for more stories and details

WRITE A LETTER

Let your sponsor student or teacher partner know you're thinking of them

GIVE TO THE VISION

Stand with Global Shore, believing that our ministry will return stronger than ever

About Us

     Our Story

     Our School

     Our People

     Our Missionaries

     More Stories

     Recent Newsletters

Opportunities

    Short-Term Opportunities

    Teach English

    Host An Event

For Sponsors

COVID-19

Donate

    Make a Donation

    Sponsor a Student

    Partner with a Staff Member

    Give to a Missionary

    Become a Vision Partner

Contact Us

Canadian Office:
731 Lakeshore Rd.
RR#2 Port Burwell
Ontario, CAN
N0J 1T0
Phone: (519) 875-3382
Fax: (519) 875-1606
info@globalshore.org

US Office:
6301 Joshua Road
Fort Washington, PA, USA
19034
usinfo@globalshore.org

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  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our School
    • Our People
    • Our Missionaries
    • More Stories
    • Recent Newsletters
  • Opportunities
    • Short-Term Opportunities
    • Teach English
    • Host An Event
  • For Sponsors
  • COVID-19
  • Donate
    • Make a Donation
    • Sponsor A Student
    • Partner with a Staff Member
    • Give to a Missionary
    • Become a Vision Partner
  • Contact Us
Global Shore Opportunities