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Education For The Children foundation is delighted to be celebratating it's 20th Anniversary. Our founder Sophie McKee travelled to Guatemala in 2002 to volunteer at a school she discovered was on the brink of collapse. She began fundraising to ensure that the 75 students that were to be left without a school could continue their education.
This was the start of the Education For The Children Foundation (EFTC). Today EFTC’s School of Hope and its further education programme support over 600 students with education, nutrtition and physical and mental health care. We are proud to be at the heart of the community in the Jocotenango area, showcasing the talent and creativity of its young people to the world.
Schedule
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Welcome To Antigua
5:00 PM
A relaxed drop in event. The chance to meet the EFTC team and to orientate yourselves in Antigua.
Relaxed
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Carnaval
9:00 AM
Celebrate with current and past students, staff, families, local partners and supporters. We’ll be taking over a beautiful outdoor garden. Enjoy bouncy castles, have-go-games, entertainment, music and scrumptious sweet and savoury treats.
Relaxed - this is a family friendly event with bouncy castles :)
Monday, July 24, 2023
Visit The School of Hope
9:00 AM
Sponsors and guests are welcome to spend the morning at the school with the students. This is an ideal time for sponsor visits. There will be a variety of activities to join in, designed for you to enjoy with your sponsor student!
Comfortable movable clothes
20th Anniversary Gala
6:00 PM
Join us for a formal evening celebrating the history and future of EFTC. We are delighted that UK Ambassador to Guatemala, Nick Whittingham will be in attendance at this event. Enjoy delicious food, wonderful company, dancing, an auction and more. Kids are welcome.
formal
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Visit The School of Hope
9:00 AM
We want to share Chapín (Guatemalan) traditions, games, and culture with you. The school will be decorated and different classrooms will have different games and activities.
Comforable
Travel
Getting In
We can assist you in getting a taxi from the airport to Antigua, email visitors@eftcfoundation.org and Susan will help you schedule all of that out!
Rainy days
July is in the middle of rainy season. The weather will be warm but it will most likely rain a few hours every afternoon.
Shoe wear
Antigua and Jocotenango are known for their cobblestone streets. They are beautiful but not always the easiest to walk on. Make sure to pack comfortable shoes :)
Yellow House Hostel Antigua
Budget option: The rooms are adorned with Guatemalan textiles and art, and there is free buffet breakfast every morning included to set you up for the day. The staff are very friendly and try to get a room upstairs as a bit quieter.
Porta Hotel Antigua
Middle to upper range. 3 blocks from the central park with a pool and breakfast is to die for.
Santa Domingo Hotel
5 star hotel. About 5 to 6 blocks from park, one of the most atmospheric hotels in the world. It is converted monastery, with a great spa and museum.
Restaurants
Bars and Breweries
Tour Agencies
Places to see - in Guatemala close to Antigua
Places to see - in Guatemala but outside of Antigua
Río Dulce
Let's go to the Carnaval!
We are so excited to celebrate EFTC's 20th anniversary in Guatemala with our community!
There are many fun events planned throughout the week and the goal is to make sure everyone can be involved.
By making a donation you are helping us give our students and their family member the opportunity to attend the Carnaval!
We appreciate all you do for EFTC and this contribution continues to prove your dedication in supporting the students at the School of Hope and the community of Jocotenango.
Q & A
For all our friends and family who have lots of questions, please check out our Q & A first!
When is the RSVP deadline?
Please RSVP by April 15th, so we can have an accurate headcount. :)
Are kids welcome?
Yes! All the events will be kid friendly. We would love this to be a family trip and your family to be able to come to all of the events.
What will the weather be like?
It will be warm and there will be rain for a few hours each day after midday.
What should I wear?
Please see our Schedule for the dress code. You will need a jumper, a rain jacket but not a coat.
What kind of shoes should/shouldn't I wear?
Comfortable shoes! Antigua and Jocotenango have cobblestone streets and not the best side walks.
Is it OK if I come to some of the events and not others?
We would love to have you join us at all the events we have organized, but we understand that each participant's schedule is different, so you can decide which activities you will participate in and let us know.
What's the best way to get from Guatemala City airport to Antigua?
The distance between Guatemala City and Antigua is approx. 24.85 miles. Depending on traffic, it can take between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours to go between the two. Recommended means of transportation are: Uber, official airport cab, shared shuttle, or a private driver that we can book for you.
How will you know when I've arrived in Antigua?
There is no requirement to let us know you have arrived but we'd love to see you at the drop in Welcome To Antigua event on Saturday 22 July.
How near is Antigua to The School of Hope?
From Antigua city center to the school is 1.62 miles. If you take an Uber or TukTuk, it takes 12 minutes to get to the school. Walking takes about 30 minutes.
Is it safe for me to walk around during the day?
Yes it is. Like traveling anywhere, make sure to keep an eye on your belongings. But you should have no problem walking around during the day. Be extra cautious at night, closer to 11pm.
Do I tip in restaurants and cabs?
Most restaurants will add the tip to your bill. It is not common here to tip. You are always more than welcome to tip, but do not need to.
Can I pay with card?
Yes, just make sure your card holder knows you are traveling in Central America.
Where I can get cash?
There are many banks and ATM's around Antigua's main square. You can also find ATM's inside supermarkets and pharmacies. It is recommended to withdraw money during the day.
What should I do in case of an emergency?
You can call Policía Nacional Civil: 110
Whom should I contact with questions?
All your questions can be sent to our Visitor and Volunteer Coordinator, Susan, at visitors@eftcfoundation.org
The Team
Dave McKee
CEO
Sophie McKee
Trustee & EFTC Founder
Sara Miller
Project Director (Guatemala)
Boo Somers
Foundation Coordinator (UK)
Susan Garcia
Visitor & Volunteer Coordinator (Guatemala)
Roxana Leal
Communications Coordinator (Guatemala)
Sinead Hickey
Development Coordinator (Guatemala)
Laura Andrino
Sponsorship Coordinator (Guatemala)
Adriana Segura
Education Director (Guatemala)
Kate Hendry
UK Foundation Coordinator (UK)
Lilly Flaherty-York
Fundraising and Development Manager (UK)
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