Access to technology

Roots & Wings Learning Center

Access to education, technology and computer literacy are critical for economic and social development in the 21st century; but in the region of Boca Costa de Sololá , one of the poorest in Guatemala, classrooms and computers are hardly accessible.

Thanks to an investment from TECO Guatemala, a subsidiary of TECO Energy, rural Guatemalans and the young scholars sponsored by RWI are now closer to technology. TECO's donation of $82,000 made the construction of the Roots and Wings Learning Center possible. The project, which boasts 25 refurbished computers with internet access, also received support from Microsoft, BuyWell Coffee and Bullivant Houser Bailey PC. The Center, which opened in November 2010, serves as the headquarters for all of RWI's education initiatives.

The Learning Center's computer literacy program, which has been certified by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education, provides computer classes to over 600 primary and secondary students in the Boca Costa region. The new building also provides study space for dozens of RWI's sponsored university students, houses two new offices for RWI staff, and contains a comfortable residence for visitors and tourists. Local youth have the opportunity to learn computer skills, gain access to better employment opportunities, improve the lives of their families, and ultimately help improve the quality of life in Sololá.

While construction on the Learning Center may be finished, our work is far from over. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can help RWI give the gift of computer literacy to an indigenous Guatemalan student. Please consider donating $5 today, and help us in our mission of changing live through education.

Meet some of our students in the following programs:

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