The windy season has officially arrived at Lake Atitlán, and our “summer school” session 
is now blowing right by into its third week. It seems like just yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the completion of our schoolhouse for KinderCaracol. Now we are holding classes five days a week in the space and it's starting to feel like home – which is just how a Waldorf kindergarten is supposed to feel.
is now blowing right by into its third week. It seems like just yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the completion of our schoolhouse for KinderCaracol. Now we are holding classes five days a week in the space and it's starting to feel like home – which is just how a Waldorf kindergarten is supposed to feel. We are excited to announce that we received a generous gift to cover the cost of the KinderCaracol schoolhouse! In October we held an open house to announce its inauguration to the community.
The open house was a huge success: around 50 people attended, all bringing different dishes to share as well as plants to help grow our garden. It was a wonderful opportunity for parents and
other community members to see the space and learn more about what we are doing. The kids spent most of the time running around the garden, flying kites and picking jocotes (a sweet seasonal fruit), while many of the adults actually lost themselves in play with the beeswax crayons we had set out.
The open house was a huge success: around 50 people attended, all bringing different dishes to share as well as plants to help grow our garden. It was a wonderful opportunity for parents and other community members to see the space and learn more about what we are doing. The kids spent most of the time running around the garden, flying kites and picking jocotes (a sweet seasonal fruit), while many of the adults actually lost themselves in play with the beeswax crayons we had set out. On November 5, we held our first day of class for the KinderCaracol summer 
session. Schools here end their academic year in October, right as the rains begin to recede, and until the middle of January the children enjoy their summer vacation – simply called vaccaciones by most students. We thought this would be a good time to introduce many of the indigenous families to our style of education while also providing a "trial run" before beginning more formally in January.
session. Schools here end their academic year in October, right as the rains begin to recede, and until the middle of January the children enjoy their summer vacation – simply called vaccaciones by most students. We thought this would be a good time to introduce many of the indigenous families to our style of education while also providing a "trial run" before beginning more formally in January. We were overwhelmed with the response we received from the indigenous families, many of whom we
actually had to turn away for lack of space and resources. In the end we enrolled a class of six international and six indigenous children, and they are getting along remarkably well. Together they are enjoying activities like making tamales, painting with watercolors, planting in the garden, and creating colorful streamers to celebrate the wind. The events of the day are led alternately in English, Spanish and the local Mayan 
language, Kaqchikel, and it is beautiful to see how quickly the children have begun to understand the different languages. What is most beautiful, however, is to see these kids so easily transcending cultural and linguistic differences through the universal language of play – the true work of childhood.
actually had to turn away for lack of space and resources. In the end we enrolled a class of six international and six indigenous children, and they are getting along remarkably well. Together they are enjoying activities like making tamales, painting with watercolors, planting in the garden, and creating colorful streamers to celebrate the wind. The events of the day are led alternately in English, Spanish and the local Mayan language, Kaqchikel, and it is beautiful to see how quickly the children have begun to understand the different languages. What is most beautiful, however, is to see these kids so easily transcending cultural and linguistic differences through the universal language of play – the true work of childhood. During this season of thanks, we are especially grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the joy and wonder of life with these children from our community.
Thank you for making all of this possible with your generous support.
December 2007
Update
Holistic Education for an Intercultural Community
San Marcos La Laguna • Lago Atitlán • Guatemala
More Photos