June 2009 Newsletter

Featured Student: Diego Tziquin Chox

Diego is 22 years old and the second oldest of seven siblings in Pacanal 1, Sololá. He began a five-year program in Social Work. Diego's father is also a Mayan Priest, one of the few people who continues to practice the several thousand-year-old Mayan traditions.

Help a Guatemalan Youth Today!

RWI continues to bring high-tech resources to the Guatemalan people to improve access to education and end the cycle of poverty. By donating, you can be a part of helping a young, intelligent man or woman achieve his/her dream of pursuing academic studies at the university level! Donate $10 today.

High-Technology Meets Rural Guatemala

Former Guatemalan President Alvaro Arzu invited Roots & Wings International President Erik Swanson to attend a May conference about promoting education and technology in the rural regions of Guatemala. Swanson spoke out on behalf of RWI to help increase the access of higher education throughout indigenous communities in rural Guatemala. Computers for Schools, a Guatemalan non-profit hosted the week-long conference. Swanson also managed to deliver four additional laptops to Guatemala, opening up a small computer lab in the process. By donating $25 now, you can help RWI bring even more laptops to rural Guatemala!

New Building to Serve as Future Computer Lab

During his trip, Swanson purchased a new plot of land where he hopes to build the permanent home of RWI. The building will serve as brand-new computer lab holding 20 computers, staff offices, as well as a residence for visitors. We hope to raise funds to erect the new building sometime this year. Help us build.

Increased Scholarship Program Applicants

The number of university scholarship applicants has nearly doubled since last year! During this time last year, we received 60 applications. We recently began accepting applications for next school year, and we anticipate an astounding 100 applicants for the university scholarships program. RWI's goal is to offer a total of 50 scholarships each year. The selection process for awarding university scholarships includes the applicants' financial need, academic potential, and commitment to serving their communities.

Over $8,500 Raised at Cocktail Reception Benefit

On April 7, 2009, approximately 120 guests attended RWI's cocktail reception benefit held in the Art Museum of the Americas of the Organization of American States in Washington DC. Several well-respected individuals and high-profile organizations attended, including Morrison & Foerster Foundation, the Student Bar Association of American University and many directors of nonprofits in the DC area who work with Guatemala. Guest speakers included H.E. Francisco Villagran, the Ambassador of Guatemala to the US, as well as Claudio Grossman, Dean of American University, Washington College of Law. Over $8,500 was raised at the benefit the RWI's university scholarship program.