Our Partners Subiaco Abbey, Academy and Oblates; Sacred Heart Parish, Charleston; and Trinity JHS Spanish classes Please Consider Helping Our Scholars $500 covers everything to educate a girl for an entire year at St. Benedict School OR consider being a monthly partner ($40). Checks can be written to: ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY 1301 S. Albert Pike Fort Smith, AR 72903 On memo line, please write: Guatemala Scholarships Because this program is administered by St. Scholastica Monastery, 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes to scholarships. Other Ways to Help 1) Drop your coins into one of our CRAYON BANKS. With the help of your kids and co-workers, watch your change grow into a scholarship! 2) Join in our KIDS SHOES and CLOTHING DRIVE for Guatemala. (No winter clothes, please.) Call 479-739-1999 on these and other ways to help. Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness. - Mark Twain Across the Bridge Partners in Benedictine Education - Compañeros en Educación Benedictina A project of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, AR A message from the Director: Dear friends, Somos Una Familia en Cristo OUR 2016 MISSION GROUP Summer 2016 (L to R seated) José Luis Galvan, Silvia Balsara, Marna Boltuc, Judy Stetson, Gray Langston. (Standing) Sr. Judith Timmerman, Maria Cabrera, Elizabeth Cabrera, Fr. Mark Stengel, Noe Perez, Kathy Jarvis, Megan Robinson, Haymée Giuliani, Jennifer Kimberly. Not pictured: Ariana Caballero More than the words, the photos in this issue tell the story of the growth and branching out of our scholarship program. They also convey the sharing and deep friendships being formed across the borders as well as the creativity of our volunteers (see page 7). Enjoy! Our girls scholarship program is one of solidarity, not charity, one that is mutually enriching. Yes, our partners and we raise the funds for the scholarships but, as missioner Silvia Balsara noted, We wonder if our friends in Guatemala realize how much they are giving and teaching us! We depend on our readers generosity to help provide scholarships for our 36 girls. If you know others who also are interested in girls education, please tell them about our program. We are immensely grateful for your support. Blessings, Sr. Rosalie Ruesewald 1
FAITH IS THE FOUNDATION Padre Hugo Lopez, OSB, Superintendent of Colegio San Benito, with our River Valley group. The people of Guatemala taught me about their deep devotion and unwavering faith in God. I observed how the people of Guatemala went to church not just to be there physically or because it was Sunday but to Father Mark Stengel, OSB, concelebrating Mass in the Basilica with Abbot Hector Sosa Paz, OSB truly talk to God. Teachers Sister Judith Timmerman and Ariana Caballero outside the Basilica. - missioner Elizabeth Cabrera Our scholar Maria Concepción is a lector at the Basilica. 2
welcome home! We are blessed to have two homes in Esquipulas-- Hogar Esquipulas orphanage run by four Franciscan sisters and the Benedictine Abbey s Colegio San Benito. José Galvan sets the tone with music on our first night at the orphanage. Kathy Jarvis, Coordinator (volunteer) of the program, is welcomed by San Benito administrators Bety Samayoa and Gloria Portillo. Volunteers unpack books, clothes, and shoes that were donated to the program. Maria Cabrera, RN, sorts donated supplies with Sister Dina Mejia, head and heart of the orphanage. Keith Larkin, 2016 Arkansas Pharmacist of the Year, donates medical supplies for every mission trip. 3
terrific volunteer teachers sharing their talents Ariana Caballero, Van Buren Freshman Academy teacher, uses Total Physical Response techniques in her teaching. Marna Boltuc, Fort Smith Schools Math Facilitator, uses various methods to make math interesting. Haymée Giuliani, Trinity JHS Spanish teacher, has her students spellbound. Noe Perez, Christ the King School teacher, said, I was able to find a place to apply my skills and they were so appreciative. 4
terrific teachers (cont.) Father Mark Stengel, OSB, longtime teacher at Subiaco Academy, has new experience teaching girls. Sister Judith Timmerman, OSB, Spanish teacher at Christ the King School, reading with sixth graders Engineer Jennifer Kimberly (far right), here teaching kindergarten--also higher math for the older students, seen here with Haymée Giuliani Megan Robinson, Case Western University mathematics major, fascinating a little girl with technology 5
terrific teachers (cont.) Gray Langston, on the Spanish faculty at UAFS, teaching high schoolers about the cultural traditions of Spain José Luis Galvan, teacher and musician, totally engages his charges. Judy Stetson, on the Carl Albert State College English faculty, uses Total Physical Response techniques with the students. Psychotherapist Silvia Balsara conducts a workshop for teachers at Colegio San Benito. 6
FUTURE NURSES OF GUATEMALA RN Maria Cabrera and Nurse Practitioner Elizabeth Cabrera, her daughter, dream of signing up the Future Nurses of Guatemala. In the past, these young ladies from the orphanage had not given themselves permision to have such a dream. I think for me the most meaningful aspect of the experience is that I was able to share the journey with my mother who came from similar beginnings. I could see the hope in the eyes of the children, Elizabeth Cabrera said. Maria Cabrera and girls. ONE-ON-ONE ATTENTION Dr. Silvia Balsara, psychotherapist, with orphanage director Sister Dina Mejia and little one. Silvia in her office. Meaningful relationships came instantly. It was really overwhelming at times. I saw the importance of 7 faith and how it s lived. - Silvia Balsara.
to educate in solidarity... means to educate ourselves in humanity. - Music is such an important part of the program. Our first graduate, Marielos, is completing her first year of medical school. Pope francis Karla I. (in middle) graduates Colegio San Benito this October. Maria Concepción and Rocio will follow her. ANOTHER WAY TO HELP Unfortunately, Guatemala does not have the generous scholarships available in the United States. Although support of university studies was not part of our original mission, we have seen that it is absolutely vital to help our graduates to pursue higher studies. José Luis Galvan uses music to help children find their voices. If you would like to help, please send your check to: ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY. On the memo line, please write Guatemala Scholarships. 8