Former Students join Don Bosco and Jesuit Students to help vulnerable families

Inspired by the work of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint John Bosco, the associations of former students of the Liceo Guatemala (Marist – ADEMAR), the Liceo Javier (Jesuit) and the Colegio Don Bosco joined forces to support the communities affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Guatemala. 

Under the name, “Colours united by a mission”, the campaign of aid and solidarity began in May.

At the suggestion of the Boards of Directors of the three associations, it was decided to develop a joint strategy to respond to the effects of the crisis in Guatemala. And as a strategy, each association promoted the collection of monetary donations within their communities, made up of thousands of former students, through their already established social and cooperative networks.

The funding obtained by the three Catholic associations was used to purchase basic grain, and to help 1,400 families over a six-month period, and to distribute 72 tons of beans and rice.

After six months of joint work to help families in poverty, the movement set up by the three associations concluded the initiative on 30 September.

The Presidents of the associations involved, Mario Roberto Reyes Marroquín (AAADB), José Manuel Burgos Zetina (ADEMAR) and Pablo Fernando Monzón Barrientos (AELJ), jointly stated; “That these actions are inspired by the work and life of Saint John Bosco, Saint Marcellin Champagnat and Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and that, faithful to the human formation received in the Catholic schools from which we graduated, this initiative is the starting point for other projects that can be worked on jointly by the three associations”.