NEWS RELEASE
PASO POR PASO
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Tierra Linda is a rural Mayan community in the highlands above Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Although thousands of miles away, there exists a close connection to Canada that has evolved over the years.
Paso Por Paso is a non-profit charitable organization based in Orillia that is dedicated to the relief of poverty in Guatemala. Through the generous donations of many Canadians and others from around the world, Paso Por Paso has been able to raise monies which it invests in various programs. One of these is making school improvements in Tierra Linda.
Recently, a historic contribution was made by Paso Por Paso towards Tierra Linda School. Tierra Linda School was founded in 1980. Starting with an enrolment of 30 students in two classrooms built of wood, the school has expanded to 250 students in 10 classrooms housed in a block and cement building.
The donation, comprising two sets of soccer jerseys (with 18 pieces per set) and 10 soccer balls, was facilitated by Mayan Families with whom Paso Por Paso has been partnering for many years.
Why is the donation historic? Not only has the school ever received this kind of donation. For the first time ever, the girls' soccer team now has their own uniforms! Previously, the boys and girls had to share uniforms because there were not the funds to buy two sets. Nor was there an official allocation in the school budget for uniforms.
Tierra Linda School Director, Hector Eduardo Cuc Leja, was recently at the Mayan Families office to receive the donation from Edgar Morales, Education Coordinator, assisted by Ingrid Bulux, Social Worker, who had finalized the purchase and coordinated the details.
“We are so grateful to Paso Por Paso for all the help and support we have received through the years. The donation, while providing support for the students, is really for the whole community. It is such an important symbol, especially considering that our students have had many successes on the playing field. We have been champions many times, both in the male and female division, for which we have received many trophies that grace the school office.”
“Finally, we can dress in the style of champions. This will definitely motivate our school teams to elevate their game.”
For more information on Paso Por Paso, visit our website at www.pasoporpaso.ca. Our Facebook page, Paso Por Paso Orillia, also has current information about upcoming Paso events.
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