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The 2005 Project Victoria Year-end Report

PROJECT VICTORIA

Education and Integrated Development for High-Needs Communities in Guatemala

Report presented by Maria de los Angeles Hernandez, Coordinator

The Victoria Association was established in September 2004 through the financial support of a group of donors in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was based on a desire to help a target population of women, indigenous people who were victims of the armed conflict, and young people who have very limited economic resources to use for education. During the last three months of 2004, a selection was made to choose candidates who would receive scholarships during 2005. This selection was based on family history and a determination of financial need. Each young person was required to present an application letter explaining her or his family situation and a photo to include in the Project Victoria website. The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation became the channel which accepted donations to this project. A contract determined the obligations of the Project Victoria Representative, Maria de los Angeles Hernández Tzaquitzal, to use the funds exclusively for the proposed educational project, and to present a report with evidence of responsible use of the resources channeled by the Foundation.

The first transfer of $3,000.00 was made at the beginning of January 2005, with subsequent $2,000.00 transfers during the year bringing the 2005 total to $11,000.00. This money was used for the following purposes, with expenses detailed below:

• Each scholarship recipient received 500 quetzales ($65.23) for an initial tuition payment, generally once a year, and supplies.
• Each month the students each received 100 additional quetzales ($13.05). These expenses appear in the accountant’s report as SCHOLARSHIP expenses.
• Three of the scholarship students also received room and board. A house was rented for $197.00 a month, including $118.00 that the owner of the house retained for housepainting. These expenses are shown as RENT.
• Two of the scholarship students attended a three-day workshop in Guatemala City about natural medicine. $31 was spent on this workshop, with the idea of helping the students gain skills that will contribute to the future sustainability of the Victoria Association.

During the year, each student’s mother or father was required to attend five workshops—one about community organization, one about the importance of education, and three others about natural medicine. The goal of these workshops was to provide needed information on health to the families and also teach them skills that could provide a future source of work. The cost was $261.00, including materials, payment to the person who gave the workshop, and lunch.

To maintain a record of the use of funds, it was necessary to contract a legally registered accountant. The accountant—Brenda Carolina de Leon—worked during a period of five months on the report delivered to the Superintendent of Tributary Administration of Guatemala, and the payment of the accountant is included in the SALARY category.

The house that was rented did not have hot water, so a water heater, blankets, and a stove were purchased for $115.00. These expenses appear as general expenses on the accountant’s report.
Administrative expenses refer to money spent on repair of a typewriter that was urgently needed by the students, paper, electricity and water utilities of the house, mail, printing of receipts, the purchase of books authorized for accounting, and use of computers in an internet café.

There was a 60% attendance rate at the workshops, which were undertaken on Sundays, since that was the only day when the parents did not work outside their homes.

RESULTS

• 24 Scholarship students passed the final exams
• One person graduated and finished the program. Among the 24 students was one handicapped girl.
• 5 workshops were carried out for the families of scholarship students

DIFFICULTIES AND LIMITATIONS

During the school year, two students abandoned their scholarships. One girl abandoned her scholarship because her grandmother was very elderly and her father was an alcoholic. She lost interest in studying and it was not possible to convince her to continue.

Another student abandoned his studies because he failed the first two exams of the year, making it impossible to have passed his courses for the year. Neither student returned the funds they had received.

Two new students came into the program in their place, which allowed the number of scholarships to remain the same. This was not exactly a loss, but it was a weakness.

One 15-year-old student became pregnant but finished the year of studies with much success.

The distribution of funds to students was not done once a month because some people had to spend 30% of the $13.00 monthly scholarship allotment in order to travel and receive the funds. For that reason, scholarship allotments covering two or three months at a time were given.

The majority of the students were sometimes late in presenting their grades. They met their obligation to present their grades, but they did not always do so on time.

CONCLUSION

The greatest objective—to provide educational opportunities to women, especially indigenous people, victims of the armed conflict, and people with limited economic resources—was attained.

The Victoria Association completed its first year of work thanks to the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Included with this report is a list of the people benefited during 2005.

STATEMENT OF IN-FLOWS AND OUT-FLOWS
From January 1 to December 31, 2005

Income from donations: $11,000.00
Expenses:

Below are scanned images of the audited financial report prepared by Project Victoria's accountant, Brenda Carolina de Leon.

Click on the images below for larger versions.

THANK YOU to all donors whose contributions made the success of 2005 possible, and who continue to support Project Victoria.

List of Scholarship Students for 2006

1. Maria Angelica Sacalxot Salanic, Cantel Quetgo. Primary
2. Jania Cristina Sic, Quetzaltenango Primary
3. Maria Celestina Tambriz, Nahuala Primary
4. Brenda Urbina, Quetgo. Primary
5. Edgar Guillermo Ajpajá Lopez, Quetzaltenango Primary
6. Baudilia Soledad Puac Salanic, Cantel Secondary
7. Sebastián Giovanni Ajtun Tun, Momostenango Secondary
8. Rosa Maria Alvarado Gómez, La esperanza Quetgo. Secondary
9. Ciria Mareni Lopez Gutierrez, La Esperanza Quetgo. Secondary
10. Isabel guarchaj Carrillo, Nahuala Secondary
11. Antonia Roberta Aju Cuc, Nahuala Secondary
12. Oralia Chupen Churunel, Nahuala Secondary
13. Dominga Chopen churunel, Nahuala Secondary
14. Dina rubali Ochoa Escobar, La esperanza Secondary
15. Victor Manuel Rubio de Leon, San Martin Quetgo. Secondary
16. Isabel Roblero del Cid, Guatemala Secondary
17.Sandy Fabiola Orellana Diaz, San Mateo Secondary
18. William Moises Perez, San Mateo Secondary
19. Gloria Lopez Manuel, Ixcan Secondary
20. Felicia Lopez Manuel, Ixcan Secondary
21. Petronila Castro Acabal, Chajul Secondary
22. Ana Lucia Mendoza, Quetzaltenango Secondary
23.Vinamarvy Garcia Ordoñez, Ixcan Secondary

 Tax-deductible contributions to Project Victoria may be made to:

Project Victoria Fund
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
200 1st St. SW
Cedar Rapids IA 52404
319-366-2862