Family on this years Trocaire Box Many families in Guatemala are already living in extreme poverty and dependent on their crops not only for their livelihood but for their survival. Changes to the climate can be catastrophic if their crops can’t withstand the extremes. It’s a struggle that Ilma knows all too well. his loss of  income could also have a  devastating impact on Ilma and Julio’s children. As parents, they worry that the current situation threatens their children’s chance of an education and their future. Ilma knows that if they don’t have the money to pay school fees, their   children will be held back at a critical moment in life. “I worry because my children are studying here in the community, but we are not going to have the money for them to go to secondary school.” For 10-year-old Julio, school is more manageable: he attends the small primary school in their community. It’s in a single room for all ages with one teacher. Ilma is most worried about her daughter Miriam. She’s 12 and should be attending secondary school in a nearby town, but the family can’t afford the €5 a week for her education. Trócaire Boxes are  available at the Church entrances—Please take one home 

At least 130 million children continue to face class closures five years after COVID-19 shut schools around the world. Click here to read more