MEET ALAN

Alan grew up in zone 3. His parents both worked full-time, his Dad was a technician and from a young age Alan was learning about computers, repairs, network connections, and all things tech related. Alan recalls his Dad going to the garbage trucks at the dump to buy discarded computers to supplement their income while he was working, or sometimes in between jobs. Together, they would take them home, clean and repair them to either sell whole or for parts. He recalls going straight from elementary school to help his Dad many days after school.

Alan describes the environment his parents worked hard to create as “a Christmas atmosphere.” In their free time, they were always playing soccer and hanging out with friends and neighbors. But Alan also remembers it was difficult having his parents working so much of the time. He said that while he may have had resources others in his community did not, he didn’t always have his parents around.

Friends and neighbors of Alan’s studied at Safe Passage and he listened to their stories about visitors who played with them and getting help from teachers and volunteers with their homework. Alan wanted to attend and said they tried to apply for admission, but because his family had resources others didn’t, he didn’t qualify to enroll.

Now, years later, as an employee, Alan says he realizes that his calling was never to be at Safe Passage as a student, but rather as a teacher. And he says his own childhood has helped him realize what he can provide for students—his attention, time, and care. He is often functioning not just as a teacher, but as a mentor for the kids.

Alan was hired in early 2020, just as the pandemic was sweeping through Guatemala and across the globe. He says that at first he felt insecure as a teacher because he was not that much older than some of the high school students attending. But from the very beginning, his team and the administration at Safe Passage believed in him and supported his growth and training. When he joined the Oportunidades Team, there was no structure to follow as a Computer Teacher. But he quickly worked with his team to build a structure that would support their students. They created a series of modules which allows students to develop their skills working with databases and software programs, giving them real experience that they can apply to jobs in the future. Developing the computer technology curriculum, along with teacher training which incorporated a deep understanding of our on-site integrated health services, helped him to build his confidence as an educator with the unique

Safe Passage learning community.

“Safe Passage provides a space for academic and professional improvement. It is a safe space where I have found good friendships… from the beginning they gave me the opportunity to develop as a person and believed in me even when I had no experience [teaching]. And now my passion and my challenge is to motivate young people and children to study and train to achieve their dreams… to keep motivated, to move forward, and to strive for their goals.”

He has motivated Angelica Bac, a recent graduate of Oportunidades to do just that. Alan worked with her throughout the pandemic on a web design module. Alan’s support has inspired her to continue her studies and pursue a career in computers.

Alan continues to motivate not only Safe Passage students, but also others within the community. His dad currently runs a foundation, Fútbol Calle, to support street youth in zone 3 through sports. When Alan wraps up his work at Safe Passage each day, he often goes to volunteer with his dad’s project.

We asked Alan how he would define Safe Passage in one word. His response, “Family.” And Alan is working hard to create that same “Christmas atmosphere” for his students that his family provided him—a positive, lighthearted environment for them to thrive and learn.

Ways To Give

Double Your Impact

Thanks to generous friend and supporter Stanley Eisenberg all gifts received in the month of June will be matched up to $100,000.

Recurring Gift

Education takes sustained support and your routine gift helps us plan our programs for the future. Just sign up once and your gifts, made on a recurring basis of your choosing, will help us maintain stability and more accurately budget for our programs.

Planned Giving

Meet Safe Passage Visionaries, Suja Thomas and Scott Bahr, Safe Passage supporters who are helping us plan for the longevity of our work through planned giving.

“It’s a charity that we give to where you see the direct impact of your donation… They [Safe Passage] are creating these opportunities that are helping these kids actually have incredibly successful lives…”