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) Primary School (grades K - 6): Our on-site primary school supports children who have fallen through the cracks and have not been attending school because of extreme familial circumstances. We tailor the program so that children - regardless of their age and their ability - gain a strong sense of accomplishment and learning.
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.
Parenting classes and employment for mamas:
We also 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, 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.