Opening the Academy of Future Leaders - Parramos, Guatemala Lauren & Kevin Sanchez - Wilmore

May 2021

Parramos, Guatemala Lauren & Kevin Sanchez
Opening the Academy of Future Leaders
We are still waiting on our paperwork approval from the Ministry of Education; however,
we have offered English and Soccer “Camps.” For us to be sustainable we need 60
English students and 30 kids enrolled in soccer, monthly. We started with two free camps
to attract interest, and this past week we had our first paid camp with 25 students! With
Parramos being heavily affected by Covid (unemployment is at an all-time high), I was
worried we would not have anyone interested. Though we are not at the point of
sustainability, we have more students every week and our school’s reputation is
spreading.

With our success, Academy of Future Leaders (AFL) is also providing jobs for local people.
We currently have one full time employee, three part time employees and two interns.
The biggest challenge I personally have faced is teaching so many kids and teens at
different levels. With our camp, the afternoon class ranges from 11 years old (youngest)
to 20 years old (oldest). The 20-year-old has studied English for two years. So keeping
the classes fun and challenging for all the students has been a learning curve. I have a
whole new respect for teachers!

If you or someone you know wants to learn Spanish and come teach English with us in
exchange for housing, please reach out to us!

       AFL English Class              AFL Soccer Camp                 AFL English Class

More than Family - Saturday Mentor Group
At the start of the pandemic we began collecting money for food bags to drop off to our
kids, but had not all met in person since March of 2020. Almost exactly a year later we
all met up for the first time and the group’s dynamic was definitely different. It made me
sad to realize that through the pandemic these kids had not only suffered hunger, but
also isolation and loss of friendships. We have been meeting every Saturday for 3
months and the same connections and closeness of relationships are finally coming
back.

We have also been searching to expand our group to include more youth from Parramos.
It is a very indigenous community and we have found it hard to network with families.
Parents do not know us and therefore do not trust us with their kids. Luckily, Kevin has
an old family friend connection who has spoken on our behalf and invited kids from the
local youth association. Last week we had 14 of the 15 people she invited show up!

Recently we have implemented mandatory entrepreneurship and English classes. Every
Saturday there are two hours of English, at three different levels. Then we have an
entrepreneurship related course once a month. Kevin and I know that not everyone is or
will be an entrepreneur, but we believe it is an important thing to cultivate here and this
will help them be better managers and employees in the future.

At-Home Learning, Scholarships & Airbnb
   Though things in the U.S. are starting to open up and kids are attending classes and
   activities, things are still shut down in Guatemala. Escuela Integrada announced
   that there will be no in-person classes at least until June, but it is looking likely that
   learning from home will continue through 2021. We have been fortunate to have
   our house rented through Airbnb to make some extra money to support five
   scholarships, however this has also meant we have lived most of 2021 with my in-
   laws. Which means living in a construction zone, 11 people sharing one wifi, 7 kids
   in our house receiving their classes through Google Meet and often using our half
   built bathroom as an office. In a nut shell, our house is total chaos 90% of the time.

    However it has been totally worth it to have these scholarship opportunities. Kevin
    Montezuma (whose parents both died when he was in middle school) will graduate
    this year with a degree in accounting. Gladis Maxana is on track to graduate next
    year with a degree in tourism and Yeni Celada will graduate in two years with that
    same degree. Oscar & Laisa are both on half-scholarships studying English and
    design. Three of these five students will be the first ones in their family to
    graduate from career school.

Prayer Requests
Thank you for your continued support. Please be praying that Kevin’s visa comes through.
Every time I think we are getting close, we get an email there are more documents
needed. We have been in this process for 4.5 years. As mentioned above, I have been
feeling overwhelmed trying to find qualified teachers as staff for the Academy of Future
Leaders. We need at least 1-2 more long term English teachers who are willing to take a
salary cut from similar opportunities in Antigua. For now I am managing the load, but for
long-term success other passionate teachers are a necessity.

Support                                                                            With love,   Lauren & Kevin

Thank you for your gifts and prayers. Reach us by email at
lauren.sanchez@cornerstoneinternational.org

To stand with us financially, give online at
www.cornerstoneinternational.org/sanchez or give by mail by making checks out to
Cornerstone International, and memo Sanchez, mailing to:
                                                                                        1-800-859-4578
Cornerstone International PO Box 192 Wilmore, KY 40390-0192.