On August 11-13, the Senderos Board of Directors met in Tryon, NC to discuss goals and to plan for 2027. We spent 10 hours over 2 days reviewing where the organization is now in terms of program successes and challenges, where we want to go, and how to get there. Huge thanks to Megan Malan for her hospitality to the Board in Tryon! Sarah shared input from the leadership of the Escuela Comunitaria David LaMotte, El Tejar music program, and Brillaguate program about each program’s goals, needs, challenges, and budget for 2027.
The escuela hopes and plans to add a grade each year through 6th grade. This year, they added 3rd grade, and they will expand to 4th grade in January. We are so excited that the school will have more than 170 students enrolled next year. In order to add 5th and 6th grades, some additional space will need to be planned for and built. As you might imagine, costs of food for more students and adding at least one new teacher’s salary result in budget increases. Our fund development plan includes strategies to effectively and efficiently raise next year’s budget, with the help of the supportive community that includes you.
In the El Tejar program, violin was added to the menu of musical instruction when several were donated this year. Last year’s group of seven graduates play together regularly in an ensemble, and five of them play in the El Tejar Municipal Band. They visit the program often to talk with the younger students to encourage them in their music and to build their confidence.
As we keep listening and try to evolve as the needs of the students evolve, we have initiated a new program this year, supporting students after graduation with funds to attend university. Two graduates were awarded $1,000 this year for university costs in exchange for working in the El Tejar program. That funding can make the difference between whether they go on to study at the university or not.
Twenty-one students participated in the Brillaguate program in 2026. The middle and high schoolers received tutoring and job skills training. It has been inspiring to see how these young people are constructing their lives with these tools, and our attention is turning to how we can continue to support them in their transition to adulthood.
The Senderos Board has been staying busy through work on active committees: Finance, Events, Donor Relations, Board Development, and Communications. We set goals for each committee while keeping the focus of our work on supporting youth of Guatemala. Committee goals include: understanding the local leadership’s goals and needs for each program; financially supporting each program through transparent and honest stewardship; building awareness and support for Senderos across the globe; keeping donors and sponsors informed on goals, progress, student success, and how their generosity impacts youth and families; maintaining a productive, working Board; and communicating in effective ways to support the other committees’ goals.
We will share our Year in Review in November, and we hope you will be inspired by the in-depth look at Senderos’ work and all that is coming to fruition through your support.