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rally at immaculate conception in collumbia celebrates success of project

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

The excitement was palpable as all of the students at Immaculate Conception religious education program in Columbia gathered in the school gym to celebrate the success of their fund-raising efforts to make sure two Guatemalan teens are able to finish school.

The youth are being assisted by Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) but needed some extra help after their individual sponsors were no longer able to help them.
A note from CFCA speaks to the students and teachers about what their efforts will mean to these two young men.

“Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and support for Anthony and Mario,” Kristin Littrell, a CFCA staff member said. “Your hard work to pay for their school will make such a difference in their lives.”

Janet Janson, religious education director at Immaculate Conception, said she looks forward to sending the funds to CFCA in the coming days.

“I feel like these are our boys now,” she told the IC students. “I can’t wait to hear from them.”
Littrell expects the youth to exchange letters in the near future.

“You can be assured that Anthony and Mario will know who you are, write you letters and be grateful for the way you are helping them. Because of you, Anthony and Mario now know that they will be able to finish school and pursue their dreams. Thanks for making that a reality for them,” Littrell said.

To help the IC students understand how much their efforts mean to the young men, they explained that one boy’s family only earned $100.00 per month, and the other boy’s family $80.00 per month. They asked the students how they would manage on that amount of money.

As part of their classes during Lent, students designed a square to be used on an “alfombra,” a Spanish word meaning “carpet.”

During Holy Week, usually on Good Friday, men of a city carry a statue of Jesus Christ through the streets. Some places along the way have been decorated by the people with sometimes elaborate designs using colored sawdust, flower petals, seeds or other materials.

The alfombra is a place for the men to stop and rest along their way.

Students walked beside the alfombra so they could see what other classes had made.

The young men in Guatemala may have participated in walks in their own communities during Holy Week, and the students can ask them about their customs when they exchange letters with them. They hope to begin their “conversations” soon.

Each young man has hopes and dreams like those of the students at Immaculate Conception Parish, the religious educators said. One hopes to become an accountant, the other a physical education teacher. Both want to help their families.

The money the students collected will be used for their educations so that they can work to fulfill their dreams.