July, 2026

Introducing Seferino Maquin Xol from the community of Santa Elena

Before you meet Seferino, we’d like to explain how the educational system in Guatemala works. In Guatemala an optional school called cecodii is available for children from birth to the age of four. At this stage, the mother of the enrolled child helps in the school from the first month of pregnancy. The children who graduate from cecodii are prepared for preschool, which is available for students aged 4 - 6. Primary school is obligatory and is for those students in kindergarten through sixth grade. After graduating from sixth grade primary, a student may choose whether to end or continue his or her studies into the Basico level, which lasts 3 years. After Basico, students enroll in Diversificado which lasts from 2 - 3 years depending on which course of study the student chooses. In Diversificado, the student is prepared for his career. There are many careers from which the student may choose: business, education, etc. After finishing Diversificado, a student may begin the career for which he prepared in Diversificado. Or, he or she may decide to continue onto university studies. To be admitted to a public university, a student needs to take exams and has three chances to receive a certain score.

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Here is Seferino:

At 22, Seferino is a scholarship student in Diversificado studying accounting. On Saturdays, he attends classes in Playa Grande, in a school about 30 minutes away by bus. This arrangement allows him to help his parents on their farm where they cultivate corn, beans, and ayote (a type of squash) whose seeds the family sells. Seferino likes manual labor. He has made all types of furniture--chairs, benches, shelves, and tables. But his dream is to attend university and start his own business. To go to a public university is expensive: 900 Quetzales (about $119) a month. Given the cost, Seferino isn’t sure if it’s possible. He needs to help his family which, according to him, is the most important thing.

Thanks to Virginia Yat Sambrano and Alfonso Misti for their explanations on how the education system in Guatemala works. And thanks to Seferino for his interview.

News:

This fall, SEPA plans to host a plant sale/garage sale to raise money for scholarships and projects in our SEPA communities. Vice-Chair Sarah Johnson will provide herb seedlings, berry starts, rose cuttings, and flower bulbs as well as kombucha start-up kits and vermicompost. Coffee and homemade treats will also be available for purchase. If you have any gently-used items or plants you wish to donate to our sale, please be in touch to arrange a pickup: lori@sepaoberlin.org or kelly@sepaoberlin.org.

Questions?

Do you have questions for the communities of Copal AA or Santa Elena? Send us an email at lori@sepaoberlin.org or kelly@sepaoberlin.org.

Want to Join the Board?

SEPA is looking for a few new board members. If you’re interested, please send us an email: lori@sepaoberlin.com or kelly@sepaoberlin.com.

Save the Dates: 

Our Annual Meeting will be held at the Oberlin Public Library on July 18, 2026, from 2:00 - 4:30. Copal AA’s Rigoberto Ordoñez Morales will give a brief presentation about the school and its challenges. Light refreshments will be provided. Please reserve your space by emailing lori@sepaoberlin.com or kelly@sepaoberlin.com. by July 6. 

Our Annual Dinner is scheduled for April 3, 2027.

Interested in Interning?

SEPA is looking for interns to help on a variety of projects. Please email for more information.