Unannounced, and without an appointment, we (five travelers to the mission) knocked at the door of Colegio Santa Catarina Catholic School, situated next to Santa Catarina Church in Nahuala, Guatemala, adjoining an area used for open markets in Nahuala.

We were greeted warmly by a “doorkeeper,” who immediately led us, along with the large group of children quickly surrounding us, to the director, Juan Fernando Tambriz. The students were wearing new uniforms, which included athletic pants and a zipper jacket, for physical education day. We passed a class running an obstacle course in their central play area as we entered classrooms and spoke with students and teachers.

Colegio Nahuala serves students in pre-K through ninth grade. They thank God that their enrollment has increased by 65 students this year, resulting in 175 students in pre-K through sixth grade (having just added the pre-K) and 172 students in grades 7-9. Classes in the latter three grades are large, with 35-60 students per class. We saw a math class of 58 students!

Students in pre-K through sixth grade attend school in the morning, while students in grades 7-9 attend in the afternoon, with many classrooms used for both sessions. Curriculum at the school follows the national curriculum guidelines, with the addition of religion and religious celebrations, including processions and prayers. The school year runs from January through October.

Colegio Nahuala was founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame (including Sister Janet Druffel of Colton) in 1962. The school was destroyed by an earthquake in 1976, then rebuilt the following year by the sisters. Very little remodeling has been done since then.

Director Tambriz expressed gratitude for the support sent from Spokane, which helps with teacher salaries and student tuition. We thank the following for their ongoing support: parishioners from St. Augustine Church, Spokane (which has supported the school since 1969); St. Joseph Church, Colbert; Assumption Catholic School, Walla Walla; and individual donors.