December 9 2020

New Beginnings: The Rejuvinated Colegio San Pedro

Late November – Early December 2020: Saying Goodbye To The Old Probigua Headquarters/ Saying Hello To The Newly Added-On Colegio San Pedro

Old Probigua Headquarters

The sign that my wife Angie pointed out to me four years ago and said “that’s my Uncle’s school”. Then she explained how Mr. Rigoberto had a Spanish School which helped to support his projects throughout the country.)

Shipping Out

Boxes packed up and ready to ship to Yepocapa in the Bibliobus

Taking the Bus

A late-night “load up” for an early morning trip to Yepocapa.

Inspiration

The walls of the old Probigua Headquarters had interesting sayings. This one was at the entrance: an open book – is a brain that talks, – closed, – a friend that waits, – forgotten, – a soul that pardons – destroyed, – a heart that cries (Hindu Proverb)

Probigua

The last picture I took in the old headquarters. I realized that in many ways Probigua was closing a big part of its story. But we at Probigua-America are here to see that the legacy continues, and that this big move, after 30 years, will one day be seen as a time where big changes were made that made huge positive strides toward helping the people of Guatemala, as the center of Probigua was moved to the central focus of the project: the pueblo.

It seems strange that we could say that Colegio San Pedro has been “rejuvenated” in the middle of a pandemic that has forced significant challenges upon the students and the teachers. Social distancing has been strictly enforced. Classes have been held both in-person and online depending on the latest restrictions. Some families have been directly affected by the virus.

These facts cannot be underestimated. The virus has taken a toll on everyone. However, the move of Probigua’s central location from Antigua to Yepocapa has brought about some significant changes for the better at the school. Aesthetically, the beautiful plants that surrounded the old location have been placed throughout Colegio San Pedro, lending a new “ambiance” to the school. Emotionally, the teachers and students are now much closer to the director of the school, Mr. Rigoberto, who has been able to make some things better since he has been stationed there. Namely, he has installed new solar lights, has overseen the first steps in equipping the classrooms (including a large table for the teacher’s room which was funded by Probigua-America), and he has installed a more powerful internet to help both teachers and students to have reliable connections in this difficult time.

Here are some pictures of our trip to Colegio San Pedro while we were still preparing for the upcoming school year (School year in Guatemala: January-October).

Plenty of Space

The classrooms for next year’s expansion.

Acknowledgement

A plaque commemorating Probigua-Suiza’s funding of the classrooms.

Staying Busy

Don Rigoberto, always at work, fixing one of the solar-powered lights.

Getting Technical

The specially-constructed classroom for presentations and activities, called the “Clase de Audio-Visuales.”