By Paula Bohland

Eleven years ago, when we adopted our son from Guatemala, I never imagined it would lead to a job that I love.

When Tyler and I were waiting for Joe, now 12, we learned that education in Guatemala is not free. So many of the poorest children have no opportunity for education, no opportunity to make their lives better.

We soon found Escuela Integrada, a school near Antigua which serves the poorest of the poor. After we brought Joe home, I encouraged our church, St. John’s Lutheran, to go on mission trips to serve at the school. That first visit has turned into mission trips for our youth every three years — trips during which progress has been made and relationships have been forged. I’ve also led adult teams.

Several years ago, I was asked to serve as interim director of the school. That “interim” assignment lasted for three years. Now, I’m executive director for GRACES, the Salisbury-based non-profit organization that supports this school.

Next weekend, we’ll host our inaugural Quetzal Gala. Thanks to our generous sponsors, all proceeds from the gala will be used to support families and students that Escuela Integrada serves. Please visit our facebook page to see the list of donors.

In June and July, many of these same generous donors offered matching funds for every dollar raised in those two summer months. Anyone who works with non-profit agencies knows this is a challenging time of year to raise money. Yet we raised nearly $61,000, an amount which will be matched in full.

I’m calling 2017 the year of Amazing GRACES. Consider the “amazing” things that have happened:

• All 170 children attending La Escuela Integrada have an educational sponsor.

• The children are being fed a full breakfast every morning, in addition to the full, nutritionally balanced lunch they receive each day.

• Our school psychologist is employed full time to help more children and families.

I’m so excited about our upcoming gala. We’ve had many local donors step up to help, both in monetary and raffle and auction donations. We also have some 60 supporters coming from all over the country — people who will be visiting our community, spending money here, and learning more about the mission of GRACES and Escuela Integrada.

If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet — and we all know Salisbury is a “last-minute” kinda town — please consider joining us this Saturday evening, Sept. 16, at the Country Club of Salisbury beginning at 6:30 p.m. You’ll share in an evening of good food — we’ll be serving a traditional Guatemalan menu — good fellowship with supporters from home and beyond, and some fascinating information from the St. John’s youth, who will share with us their firsthand experiences of working at Escuela Integrada this summer.

If you can’t join us Saturday, please know that we welcome your donations — and your prayers — any time. To learn more about Escuela Integrada, please visit wearegraces.org.

We hope to see you on Sept. 16!

Paula Bohland is the executive director of GRACES.

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