Five months ago, Credit with Wings disbursed its first microloans to borrowers in Pasac, Guatemala. Since then, local entrepreneurs have busily worked to grow their businesses, make their first repayments, and improve the lives of their families. Two weeks ago, I profiled one such borrower – Pascual Guarchaj Jaminez. This week, I introduce Francisco Simaj [...]
When I wake up in the morning I rely on my house being heated as per the settings, and I rely on my cupboard being stocked with the food I have bought, and trust that my housemates won’t have taken any of it. I rely on my bicycle still being in my locked garage. I [...]
I’ve written before about how my experiences after Hurricane Katrina opened my eyes to the vast inequalities in education at home in New Orleans and abroad. Katrina was the catalyst that spurred interest in education and international, but it also opened my eyes to the value of online education. After Katrina, my university population was [...]
One of the lasting lessons from my work in Guatemala is that in-depth community participation plays a powerful role in developmental research and activities. RWI shares these values and believes that sustainable development begins with community, recognizing the importance of local individuals to identify priorities and design programs that will meet their own needs. This [...]
Whilst I have written about the issue of inequality and prejudice in Guatemala before now, I find that the more I learn about the country, the harder it is to avoid recognising the extent of this issue as an obstacle to its development. Despite existing gender-related legislation to encourage equality, this legislation is apparently being [...]
It seemed that the Occupy movement took to the internet this week to protest SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act. Many people in the US have been calling and emailing their congressman to keep the internet uncensored and even those abroad have spoken up in support of internet freedom. Those who were not aware of [...]
A few weeks ago, I introduced RWI blog readers to the Credit with Wings program, the newest addition to the programs and services offered by Roots and Wings in Guatemala. During the next few months, I am honored to introduce the faces and stories of several micro-credit borrowers through Credit with Wings. These individuals have [...]
On January 15th, one of Guatemala’s most famous religious holidays takes place: the Día de Esquipulas. National and international pilgrims make their way to the town of Esquipulas to visit the statue of the black Christ of Esquipulas. Many pilgrims traditionally believe that the Christ had been sculpted in black to resemble the dark skin [...]
For those of you not aware of the extent of Roots and Wings International’s involvement with Guatemala, it makes sense to let you know about the travel programs that RWI offers to enable you to witness the very work that it carries out and be a part of it at the same time. Guatemala has [...]
Near the end of 2011, one of the biggest goals I had was to “give back” to others and the world more often. My partner and I have both been very blessed, and while we are no means wealthy, we can easily stand to sacrifice a few luxuries throughout the year to help others who [...]
Last week, I shared a USAID info-graphic that did an excellent job of explaining the broad based impact of education in overall community development, but the USAID neglected to address the important role that teachers play in students lives . Even in the United States where all students are able, and required, to attend school [...]
Hello! My name is Danica and I am pleased to introduce myself as a new member of the RWI blogging team! I am very excited to work with such amazing and inspiring people from around the world who share a common goal: to change lives through education and development. As a recent Master of Global [...]
January 14th will see a landmark occasion in Guatemalan politics take place. Roxana Baldetti is the woman setting tongues wagging as she is due to be sworn in to start her term as Vice President of Guatemala this weekend - a post previously only occupied by men. One report I found stated that of the 158 [...]
The RWI blog often highlights social injustices faced by those in developing countries, particularly in Guatemala. Our team cares deeply about education first and foremost, but also the connections between education and poverty, employment, and political activism in the Latin American context. While the majority of citizens in lower-income countries face obstacles to attaining a [...]
50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy founded the US Agency for International Development because he realized that merging many foreign aid efforts into one agency could have a much greater impact. USAID is celebrating its 50th birthday this year with a new website to chronicle it’s accomplishments over the last half century. In addition, [...]
