Project Somos prioritizes education for children through our on-site programs:
a) Pre-School: Our successful preschool program focuses on school-preparedness, teaching Spanish as a second language (Spanish is often the second language of indigenous children), pre-literacy, socializing, etc. This program has been in operation for four years at Project Somos.
b) Academic Support.We support children to stay in school by focusing on literacy, numeracy and homework. Computer, English and chess classes are also offered.
c) Extracurricular Programming, sports, chess, and special support for children with learning challenges.
d) Farm to Table Education: Gardening classes and cooking classes which engage the children in their well-being and nutritional awareness through hands-on programming.
We offer parenting classes for the women whose children are attending Somos. As indigenous women, the mamas have often endured a life of hardship, indifference and discrimination. Their parenting often reflects this and we support them to parent in a non-violent manner.
For those seeking employment, we offer opportunities to train and work in the following areas: handicrafts, cooking and hospitality.
Our holistic approach focuses on physical health and well-being, intellectual education, spiritual healing and happiness. We do everything we can for the children to maintain their own culture, traditions, clothing and language.
A Guatemalan therapist is on staff to help the children deal with trauma and support them to move towards healing.