In both Bolivia and Peru, the school year is starting. This is always a busy time where we finalize plans with state authorities and implement the projects we began planning in December of last year. But one part of the new school year struck me this year: much of our staff, who have been working with Alma for many years now, are not only getting the projects ready for the first day of school, but also our own kids! This little Alma family grew over the years and not only are we teachers and teacher trainers, but we are parents too.
I began working with Alma in 2011, Octavio in 2013, Susan in 2014, Andrea and Elizabeth in 2015…all without kids. Now, as our summer vacations wind down, the little faces that pop up in the zoom calls or giggle/cry on the other end of the phone will be heading back to school.
I feel fortunate to work with such a wonderful group of people, from Canada to Peru to Bolivia, and feel especially lucky to experience our own personal growth as Alma grows as well.
Here’s to another school year!
Ian McGroarty
Executive Director
Alma Children’s Education Foundation