Arrival in Guatemala

I arrived in Guatemala City today about noon, after an uneventful flight that was punctuated by some jostling crosswinds right before landing.  After meeting up with one of the trip directors, we took a shuttle to Antigua, Guatemala, a trip of about 45 min.  As we descended the mountainside into the city, I was struck by the beauty of the countryside and especially the majesty of the Volcan de Agua which looms to the south.

One of the AEA students had asked me a question about literacy rates in Guatemala, and how these compare to the United States.  The specific answer to this question can be found on my earlier Guatemala Fact Sheet post.  However, the issue of adult literacy is a critical one, and merits more discussion.  The student might be interested to know that while I was filling out my customs declaration forms at the Guatemala City airport today, a man approached and asked if I would help him complete his forms.  "I don't read or write," he told me.  I assisted the man, and afterwards I reflected on the fact that I had been on the ground for 10 minutes and already the issue of adult literacy was a relevant and concrete one.  In contrast, I have never in my life been asked to assist another adult in completing a form due to their admitting illiteracy. 

--
David Sciarretta, Principal
Albert Einstein Academy
Charter Middle School
3035 Ash St, San Diego, CA, 92102
tel: 619-795-1190
www.aeacs.org
Principal's blog:
http://aeacmsprincipalscorner.blogspot.com/

Teaching our children today to advance our shared humanity tomorrow.