Breaking the barrier of poverty through education

What if every Guatemalan woman who has managed to get ahead went back to where she was born to change the reality of the children in her community? Would the history of our country, Guatemala, change?

I know firsthand that education changes realities. Education empowers not only the life of the person who receives it, but whole generations. I am Amalia Jarquín, founder of Proyecto Sonrisas. I have touched the lives of more than 500 children in Guatemala. They have touched mine, too, inspiring me to help more children in Guatemala.

For many years it has been my dream that the children of the community of Las Delicias have the same opportunities I had, or even better ones. That is why I went back to the community to improve their education and their lives. Proyecto Sonrisas was born one Christmas in 2014 as an activity to bring joy to the children who wait along the road to Tecpán.

Since then I realized it was not enough to bring humanitarian aid at Christmas; we also had to change the reality of Guatemala's schools. And above all, to build a more dignified future for the village where I was born, Las Delicias del Jobo, Taxisco, Santa Rosa.

My mother passed away when I was only 11. She was my greatest source of inspiration. She encouraged me to study and taught me that a book, a pencil and a school can change a girl's future. I earned a scholarship to study at the teachers' college in Jalapa. My father supported me. I left the village and had access to a better education. I always dreamed of those same opportunities for my village. And that is why, many years later, I have returned to the community where I was born to improve the education and the lives of its children.

Sometimes I see myself in the faces of the girls who were my classmates at school. I created Proyecto Sonrisas with the help of friends, family, donors and partner projects. We focus on improving the buildings and the furniture, and on bringing school supplies to four primary schools and two telesecundaria middle schools.

In the community there are about 500 students whose families lack financial resources. The children walk to school on dirt roads under the sun or in the rain. Some students even have to cross rivers just to get to school. They want to get ahead, but they lack the opportunities and the tools. That is where they need us.

Proyecto Sonrisas is helping to equip, remodel and supply the schools so that children have better conditions.

What we have achieved in the schools: More than 4,000 notebooks. Electricity, a kitchen, more than 100 desks. More than 120 pieces of school furniture, whiteboards, roofs, painted schools, restrooms, medical outreach days. And year after year we have provided school supplies to around 500 children.

What do we need? School supplies, desks, shoes, playground games for the primary schools, backpacks, a computer, and much more. Our biggest challenge is to build a proper secondary school so that more young people can continue their studies.

And this is Proyecto Sonrisas. I invite you to join us and help change rural education in Guatemala. Goodbye!