sustainable education projects

9 September, 2025 In Interviews, News

How Partnerships Boost English Education in Guatemala

In the heart of Central America, Guatemala’s landscapes are as vibrant as its culture. Yet behind the colourful markets, lush mountains, and bustling town squares, there are communities where access to quality English education remains limited. For many people in rural and underserved areas, learning English is more than just mastering a new language — it’s a bridge to opportunities, a tool for empowerment, and a pathway toward community development.

At One, Two…Tree!, we’ve learned that while passion and dedication drive change, partnerships and collaboration make it sustainable. Through community partnerships, strategic education collaboration, and volunteer-led initiatives, we’ve seen firsthand how working together can transform English learning experiences for children, youth, and adults in Guatemala.

Why Partnerships Matter in English Education

Guatemala’s public education system faces significant challenges, particularly in rural communities. The often-limited resources that public schools in rural areas receive are dedicated to serving the community as best as they can to ensure as many as children as possible have access to an education. This does however mean that things like English language education are often not resourced or funded. There is also an overall shortage of trained English teachers available to teach in rural areas. Consequently, students in rural communities typically receive little to no exposure to the English language, even though the national curriculum requires English to be taught, and many families, private lessons are financially out of reach.

In this context, collaboration between NGOs, local schools, community organisations, and international volunteers becomes vital. Partnerships help to:

Extend reach: We can serve more learners across multiple communities.
Share resources: Textbooks, teaching materials, and digital tools are more accessible when partners pool resources.
Build trust: Community leaders and parents see tangible benefits when organisations work hand-in-hand with local schools.
Strengthen skills: Local teachers gain training and support from experienced volunteers.

Hear from principal’s of some public schools that One, Two… Tree! collaborates with about their perspectives on the importance of partnerships in English education:

Our Approach to Education Collaboration

At One Two Tree, collaboration isn’t just a side activity, it’s at the core of our work. We believe that long-term impact comes from partnering with communities, not working in isolation. Here’s how we put this into practice.

Partnering with Public Schools

Public schools are often the first place we focus our support. Through education collaboration, we work closely with school directors and teachers to integrate English into the existing curriculum. Our volunteers deliver lessons to grades 4, 5, and 6, tailoring them to the local context and cultural relevance.

This partnership allows us to:

Supplement the curriculum with interactive and engaging English activities.
Provide teachers with support in developing English lesson planning and language skills.
Ensure our efforts complement, not replace, local education systems.

Working with Local NGOs and Community Groups

In Santiago Atitlán, One, Two… Tree!’s English education project thrives through meaningful partnerships with nonprofits, cooperatives, and local businesses. By pooling resources, sharing space, and co-creating program we support each partner’s goals while advancing our mission of education and youth empowerment.

Previous partnerships have included:

Working with Cojolya, to provide English lessons to cooperative weavers who wanted to develop English language skills to support them in delivering workshops and selling products to foreign visitors and vendors.
Partnering with CoAtitlán to deliver coffee tours and tastings in English—a unique opportunity that supports local producers while enhancing language immersion for volunteers and visitors.
Help local guides improve their English skills to better support tourists
Delivering language exchange sessions in lively venues like Space Coffee, Le Antigua, Germinación Cocina-Bistro, and Restaurante Atitlán. These sessions create welcoming spaces where community members, learners, and visitors can connect over conversation and culture.

By sharing spaces, resources, and ideas—whether in classrooms, cafés, or coffee farms—we strengthen our network and deepen the impact of learning, bridging education, tourism, and community together.

Engaging International Volunteers

Our volunteer education programs are an essential part of how we build capacity. Volunteers from around the world bring diverse skills, perspectives, and teaching methods. But we don’t simply place them in classrooms; we prepare them to work in culturally sensitive and collaborative ways with local teachers and families.

International volunteers benefit from:

Cultural immersion and Spanish language practice.
Opportunities to learn about Guatemalan history, traditions, and education challenges.
The satisfaction of seeing their work make a direct impact in the lives of learners.

In return, communities benefit from fresh energy, innovative teaching strategies, and the global connections volunteers bring.

The Impact of Partnerships in Rural Communities

The effects of partnerships are not abstract — they’re visible in the smiles of students and the confidence of teachers. Some of the most significant impacts include:

Improved English proficiency among students who previously had little exposure to the language.
Increased motivation in classrooms, with students seeing English as both enjoyable and useful.
Enhanced teacher confidence as local educators gain new tools, resources, and mentorship.
Community pride in hosting international volunteers and sharing the stories, culture and history of Santiago Atitlán and Guatemala with a global audience.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

While partnerships bring many benefits, they also require patience, communication, and trust-building. Some challenges we’ve encountered include:

Aligning expectations: Although everyone brings good intentions, differing expectations and objectives can lead to misalignment.
Resource limitations: Even with partnerships, there’s always a need for more materials, support and space.
Volunteer recruitment and turnover: Volunteer numbers fluctuate throughout the year. Combined with many short-term placements, this inconsistency can undermine learning continuity and program impact.

We’ve learned that successful education collaboration depends on clear agreements, mutual respect, and a commitment to sustainability rather than quick fixes.

Looking Ahead: Building More Connections

The future of English education in Guatemala will depend on more than just individual teachers or organisations — it will depend on collective action. We aim to expand our network of community partnerships by:

Connecting with more local NGOs focused on youth and education.
Partnering with local and international businesses to fund scholarships, materials, and training.
Collaborating with universities to create exchange programs for teaching students.

By strengthening our partnerships, we can reach more learners, empower more educators, and ensure that English learning continues to open doors for future generations.

How You Can Be Part of the Change

Partnerships aren’t limited to formal agreements, they’re built on shared commitment. Here are a few ways you can join our mission:

Volunteer abroad: Join our volunteer education programs in Guatemala and teach English while experiencing a new culture. If you prefer to get stuck into some other type of work, there are also loads of other volunteering opportunities and platforms to explore.
Support as a donor: Help fund resources, training, and expansion into new communities.
Collaborate as an organisation: Partner with us to bring English education to more schools and community spaces. Please reach out to us to discuss opportunities!

Whether you’re an educator, a student, a traveller, or a supporter, your involvement can strengthen our collective effort to build brighter futures.

Partnerships in English Education – Final thoughts

In Guatemala’s journey toward greater educational opportunities, partnerships are the cornerstone of progress. Community partnerships bring local insight, education collaboration shares knowledge and resources, and volunteer education programs infuse classrooms with energy and diversity.

At One, Two… Tree!, we’ve seen how working together can make the impossible possible, turning a shortage of resources into a network of support, and helping to transform English lessons into a lifelong skill.

By continuing to build partnerships across schools, NGOs, volunteers, and communities, we can ensure that English education in Guatemala is not just a temporary project, but a lasting and empowering contributor to change and positive impacts.

1 May, 2025 In Interviews, News

Building Sustainable Education Programs in Central America

At One Two… Tree!, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s at the heart of everything we do. As an organisation dedicated to delivering free, high-quality English education to underserved communities in Central America, we understand that meaningful impact is only possible when our programs are built to last.

On April 22, alongside the rest of the world, One Two… Tree! observed Earth Day. We took the opportunity to reflect on how we can better care for the environment, including the beautiful Lake Atitlán and its surrounding areas. We also reflected on the importance of building sustainable education projects—initiatives that create long-term, positive change and continue to benefit communities well into the future.

Our volunteers and students joined forces to clean up Lake Atitlán!

What Does Sustainability Mean in Education?

When people think about sustainability, they often think about the environment—recycling, conserving energy, and reducing waste. But sustainability also plays a crucial role in education. A sustainable education project is one that can adapt, thrive, and continue to meet the needs of a community long after a volunteer has packed up their backpack and flown home.

For One, Two…Tree!, this means:

Building local partnerships with schools and community leaders.
Training and supporting local teachers and staff.
Offering resources that can be reused or adapted.
Creating a pipeline of well-prepared volunteers who contribute meaningfully.
Listening to the community and evolving based on real needs.

By embedding ourselves in the local context—culturally, linguistically, and logistically—we ensure our efforts don’t just make a splash, but leave a lasting ripple.

Santiago Atitlán: A Community Committed to Growth

Our current base in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, is a perfect example of sustainable development in action. Nestled between volcanic mountains and the shores of Lake Atitlán, this town has a rich heritage and strong community spirit. It also faces barriers to educational access, particularly when it comes to learning English—a skill that can open doors in tourism, higher education, and international work.

By working with public schools, local teachers, and community spaces, our English teaching volunteers are part of a wider network that supports holistic growth. From the start, we’ve made it a priority to align our programs with the rhythm of life in Santiago, adapting our approach to the school calendar, local customs, and available resources.

Volunteers as Catalysts for Change

Volunteers are at the core of our model—At One, Two…Tree!, volunteering is not about saving the day. It’s about learning, sharing, and building alongside the community.

We offer training and guidance to each English teaching volunteer, so they’re ready to contribute meaningfully from day one. Whether they’re assisting in a classroom, leading a language exchange session, or organising community workshops, our volunteers support sustainable growth by working with the community, not for it.

They bring fresh ideas and global perspectives while learning from local ways of life. And many volunteers return home with a deeper understanding of how education, language, and empowerment intersect.

Empowering Local Teachers and Schools

One of our core goals is to build capacity within the local education system. That’s why we partner directly with public schools and offer English classes to local teachers who want to improve their skills. We also encourage teacher’s to participate in the classes we deliver at public schools—and most do with great enthusiasm!

This teacher training is one of the most powerful aspects of our sustainability strategy. Every teacher we work with becomes better equipped to teach English themselves—meaning the impact of our programs multiplies even when we’re not in the room.

We also prioritise low-cost, reusable materials, along with digital resources and simple lesson plans that can be shared and adapted over time. Interactive games and activities are a key part of our lessons, making learning engaging and accessible. These practical choices reduce our dependence on disposable materials, such as paper, and—importantly—help embed sustainable language learning practices within schools, enabling teachers and students to continue developing their English skills beyond our direct involvement.

Alumni from our first ‘Teach the Teachers’ English program.

Community Growth Through Language

Why focus on English? Because in today’s world, language is opportunity.

In Santiago Atitlán, learning English can open up employment in tourism, support entry into higher education, and connect students to the wider world. It also boosts self-confidence, intercultural awareness, and curiosity.

Our goal isn’t just to teach English—it’s to spark a love of learning. We believe that when education is accessible and engaging, entire communities grow stronger. And when students see that someone has come from another country just to help them learn, it sends a powerful message: You matter. Your dreams matter.

Challenges We Face

Sustainability isn’t always easy. There are challenges along the way:

Limited access to internet and digital tools.
Teachers and students juggling work, family, and school.
Changing volunteer numbers throughout the year.
A need for ongoing funding and community support.

But we face these challenges with creativity and compassion. We stay grounded by asking ourselves: “What will this look like in five years?” and “How can we build something that lasts?”

How You Can Help

There are many ways to be part of our journey:

Volunteer your time: Fill out our application form and join us as an English teaching volunteer in Guatemala.
Donate: Your contributions help us prepare materials, provide school supplies, and teach students and teachers.
Spread the word: Share our story with others who might want to help.

Whether you join us for a few weeks or support us from afar, you’re helping to grow something bigger—a future where quality education is a reality for all.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, we’re excited about continuing to build sustainable education projects that honour the voices, needs, and strengths of the communities we serve.

We’re exploring new ways to support local leadership, expand our reach, and amplify impact. Every new student, volunteer, and supporter helps us move one step closer to our vision of accessible education and shared growth.

So, as we reflect on sustainability and growth, we invite you to join us. Let’s build a future where every one has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive—today and for generations to come.