the dream  

Click on the picture below to see a video interview of Abraham talking about the school and his dream of educating Mayan students

Abraham and Liria, our two lead-teachers

During his travels in Guatemala in the summer of 1998 our president, Doug Johnson, met a teacher named Abraham Ajiataz Calel, from the Mayan village of Momostenango.  Abraham offered to teach Doug Spanish from his family's home and their friendship began instantly. During his studies, Doug learned that Abraham was also a teacher of the community, spending his off-hours teaching basic literacy to the Mayans whose primary language is K'iche', an indigenous language. Abraham shared, with Doug, his dream of having a schoolhouse in the village, as they had none. Abraham had been teaching his classes outdoors!

Doug embraced Abraham’s dream. Upon returning to Emily Dickinson/Explorer Elementary in Redmond where he taught, he shared with the staff, the students and the parents his remarkable experience in Guatemala and briefly, Abraham's dream. The reaction was amazing as parents and students quickly stepped up to make the schoolhouse a reality. The school organized fundraisers and earned more that $7,500 to build the Friendship School for Abraham and his students.

In the summer of 1999, Doug returned to Momostenango to supervise the construction of the one-room schoolhouse, which was Abraham’s dream.

This project began with a dream shared by the staff, students, and families of Emily Dickinson Elementary and Explorer Community School in Redmond, WA, USA.  In the spring of 2007, the dream continued with the added support of Rosa Parks Elementary. Our generous community of Rosa Parks and Explorer Elementary continues to be the backbone of support for the Guatemala Friendship School Foundation.

We have now educated over 150 students and are approaching our 10 year mark in making a difference in the lives of so many students, parents, and family. We are currently educating over 95 students, who have achieved the highest standardized test scores in their state compared to other private schools in the area.

You, too, can be a part of the dream...