Bringing Trauma-Informed Practices to Schools in Guatemala

With support from the Fossil Foundation, we have launched a project that offers support to over 367 students and 164 teachers from 20 schools in the communities of Villa Nueva and Mixco in Guatemala.

Through this project, Glasswing has been able to invite students and teachers to incorporate trauma-informed practices and create secure spaces like extracurricular clubs to help mitigate the consequences of violence and the negative impact the pandemic has brought to youth.

Teachers receive a 16-hour training over the course of four sessions that focus on providing a general framework and basic concepts of trauma education, including emotional well-being techniques, and emotional support. This has enhanced the knowledge and capacity of teachers to identify, address, and apply trauma-informed practices within the school context.

Clubs for the students are led by 41 committed volunteers that also serve as role models and enable the protective factors needed for students to thrive. These clubs, including robotics, dance, English, sports, and arts, have enabled students to learn new skills, practice socio-emotional skills, and explore extracurricular areas while encouraging higher school attendance and motivation to return back to school after two years. 
The project has enabled inclusive and safe schools that favor positive youth development. In addition, through teacher training, the project has raised awareness and increased the ability to implement trauma-informed approaches that seek to increase external protection factors and develop students’ individual skills. By the end of the project, teachers will feel better prepared to intervene and provide holistic support to students.