[mommytoEli]

so....i was looking at mayan families tonight and thinking about sponsoring a student. and then i wondered something- do kids in guatemala bring their lunch to school or are they fed lunch at school? i like knowing i'd be paying their school fees....but i'm more interested in knowing they are eating. you know?

[LaRonda]

Schools in Guatemala are free, as declared so by President Colom and they do get a free lunch in Public schools. There is no more requirement to use a school uniform. Before students needed to have a registered birth certificate to attend school, it is not the case now. But students do have to be registered at the school by the family. Now, going to a private school is different, familes have to pay for that and wear a uniform. The new school year begins in January.

[Devora]

But there are fees in the public schools for books and supplies. The fees are modest by our standards but out of reach for many Guatemalans.

[mommytoEli]

but they do all get a lunch there? that makes me feel better.

do you know how much money they have to pay in school fees for books and supplies? just curious.

[dspakowsky]

Originally Posted by mommytoEli

but they do all get a lunch there? that makes me feel better.

do you know how much money they have to pay in school fees for books and supplies? just curious.

I don't know about lunch, but we pay for a friend to attend high school in GC and her books, fees, uniform, supplies, etc., cost about $480 a year. To be honest, I can't remember if it's a private or public school. But I think it's public... there's just so many little fees for everything.

As far as lunch being provided with sponsorships, it may depend on the NP. I'm not sure about Mayan Families, we also sponsor a HS student there and I don't recall ever hearing about food (except for holiday baskets, etc.). But, we sponsor children at a Christian school called New Dawning (through www.childrenoflakeatitlan.com) and they do get lunch - it's the in break-down of their sponsorship fees.

[Mindybeth6]

Yes! They eat at school. Sponsoring kids through Mayan Families has been a wonderful experience. And getting the letters, pictures and report cards from our students is just the BEST. Mayan Families is wonderful.