atitlan family school

Atitlán Family School

Mission

The mission of the Atitlán Family School is to provide families

with a non-traditional community-based education, where each

member is given the opportunity to grow and achieve through

the most innovative learning methods and tools.

Vision Through education and community building, our vision is for

families to build a sustainable future, free from dependency

on others for basic needs.

Families will have a real chance to break the cycle of poverty

and create a new reality where they have choices and are

empowered to choose their own path.

Guatemala 101

• Bordered by Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Belize

• Slightly smaller than the State of Tennessee• Population approximately 14 million• 59% Mestizo (Ladino) and 41% Indigenous• 23 Official Indigenous Languages• Prone to Volcanic

Eruptions, Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Tropical Storms

• Environmental Issues: Deforestation, Soil Erosion, Water Pollution

Guatemala 101 cont.

• High Infant, Child, and Maternal Mortality Rates

• 1 in 5 Children Suffer from Chronic Malnutrition

• 75% of Guatemalans are Below Poverty Line

• Illiteracy rate among Mayan women: 70%

• Less than 15% of Mayans have access to drinkable

water

• Less than 25% of Mayans have access to electricity

• 1 in 10 Mayans have access to modern sanitation

• 89% of Mayans lack quality housing

Lago de Atitlán

Highlands located 3 hours west of Guatemala City

Largest Town: Panajachel

Largest Groups: Kaqchikel and Tz’utujil

Extremely Prone to Mudslides

Major industries: Tourism, Coffee, Corn, Onions

Majority of population living in extreme poverty

Our Education Model

Preschool – Montessori/Waldorf Curriculums

Elementary – Discovery, Hands-On, Inquiry-Based

Basico – Leadership, Global, STEAM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)

Adult – Basic Math/Literacy, ELL, Family

Budgeting/Sustainability

All students will be taught in English and Spanish

Why Whole Family Education?

When families learn together, they succeed together

When parents are learning, it increases their overall

self-confidence, support for their child's learning, and

opportunities for the future

All ages WANT to learn

All ages should have the OPPORTUNITY to learn

Education is Empowering

Education creates Sustainability

So if this isn't a handout...what is it?

Families will be required to be active participants in the school community - eliminating dependence and encouraging empowerment. Responsibilities include:

Cultivating community gardens to be shared with all school families - creating food security

Building and maintaining school grounds - learning and practicing skilled trades

Leading classes in traditional arts/music/cooking - preserving Mayan traditions

Completing parenting/whole family education classes -planning for the future

Development of microenterprises – sustainability and empowerment

Projected Enrollment

January 2014 – January 2015

15 Families (2 adults and 3 – 6 children) 75 total

January 2015 – January 2016

20 Families (2 adults and 3 – 6 children) 100 total

January 2016 – January 2017

25 Families (2 adults and 3 – 6 children) 125 total

January 2017 – January 2018

30 Families (2 adults and 3 – 6 children) 150 total

Timeline

Timeline

Yearly Staffing Costs 1 Executive Director of A Heart for Guatemala - $22k

1 Preschool and Elementary Director (FT) - $18k

1 Admin Assistant/Accountant (FT) - $6k

1 Preschool Teacher $6k and 1 Assistant $3k (both FT)

1 Elementary Teacher $6k and 1 Assistant $3k (both FT)

1 Basico – Junior High (FT) $6k

1 Leadership Coordinator (PT) - $5k

1 ELL (PT) $3k

1 Adult Education $6k

1 Groundsman (PT) $1500

1 Housekeeper/Cook (PT) $1500

Unpaid Interns and Volunteers (Unlimited) and FREE

Estimated Yearly Staffing: $90k

Est. Yearly Operating Costs Rent on property $3500

Insurance $1500

Transportation $2000

Utilities $1500

Landline phone $1000

Cell phones $1000

Taxes $500

Supplies $8000

Travel for fundraising $5000

Staffing Costs $90,000

Estimated Yearly Operating Costs: $114,000

Upstart Costs

Technology - $10,000

Office Supplies - $1000

Montessori/Waldorf Materials - $6000

Curriculum - $2000

Whiteboards - $500

Bookshelves - $1000

Furniture - $1000

Estimated Upstart Costs - $21,500

Projected Revenue Student Sponsorship Year 1 $22,500 ($300/student)

Grants $20,000

Individual Donations $15,000+

Corporate Donations $15,000+

Donations through Corporate Matching/Giving $15,000

Volunteer Donations $15,000

Fundraisers (Change for Chickens/Silent Auction/Golf Outing)

$13,000+

TOTAL: $115,500

U.S. Board of Directors Bethany Davidson-Widby – Executive Director

William Widby – Leadership Academy and STEAM

Tammy DeGregorio - Student Sponsorship

Amber Engel - Preschool

Tiffany Holmes - Elementary

Richard Jay Davidson – Building/Construction

OPEN – Corporate and Government Relations

OPEN – Marketing and Public Relations

OPEN – Fundraising and Grants

What Next?