Cooperative for Education
For over 25 years, Cooperative for Education (CoEd) has been committed to the mission of helping Guatemalan youth break the cycle of poverty through education. They accomplish this by implementing sustainable computer, reading, and youth development programs in impoverished schools. CoEd strives to address the root causes of poverty in Guatemala, rather than merely treating its symptoms. Thanks to our programs’ sustainable nature, we have reached over 261,000 youth.
Benjamin E. Chapman
P&G Alumni Grant Champion
Benjamin E. Chapman
33 years P&G International Research and Product Development
Ben got involved with CoEd as a supporter in 2012. The more he learned about their programs, their donors, and primarily about their self-sustainable model, the more he wanted to assist in other areas. Ben joined CoEd’s Board of Directors in 2015. He now serves as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and Chair of the Governance Committee. Other involved Alumni include Mario Contreras, Christi Eisenberg, Adam Johnson and Laurie Lanning.
“Based on my many years of international travel for P&G, including Central and South America, North Africa, the Middle East and the Asia/Pacific areas, I understand poverty and the need for education. CoEd has had tremendous success over the past 25 years in accomplishing its mission by focusing on breaking the cycle of poverty through education.” Benjamin Chapman
While almost 60% of entry-level jobs in Guatemala require computer skills, youth in rural communities lack access to computer technology. CoED now runs 55 Computer Centers in Guatemala to address this need, including nine established in recent years with support from the P&G Alumni Foundation.
These centers bridge the digital divide in rural Guatemala by providing high-quality technology training to more than 13,500 rural Guatemalan secondary-school students. Computer Center students gain the skills to continue their education, find higher-wage jobs, and permanently raise their standard of living. Small monthly fees paid into a revolving fund ensure the sustainability of the program.
The $20,000 award will help fund two new computer centers in rural Guatemala and help train 350 students annually, creating more than 280 jobs and impacting 1,200 family and community members. This is the fourth award to CoEd in the past six years. The grant will help fund the purchase of 36 computers in the two centers, and provide for teacher instruction for implementing the IC3 GS5 (digital literacy program) curriculum as well as training in computer use, management and maintenance.
“Turning Learning to Earnings”
Not too often do you see someone get the opportunity to return home and give back to the community that raised them, but Diego is doing just that! Today, Diego teaches technology classes in the same Computer Center where he once studied with computers provided by Cooperative for Education
Diego has a lot of goals for his students, but a lot for himself as well. “ I hope to one day get my Master’s degree. Despite all the sacrifices I make to be a teacher, the kindness and care I receive in return are more than enough. I wish to keep being an innovator and to continually explore new ways of educating others.” Diego – Cooperative For Education Graduate and Teacher