Storm Julia : how it affected the School of Hope

On Monday 10 October, Alejandro Giammattei, President of Guatemala declared a state of emergency in the face of tropical storm Julia. The country has experienced severe flooding due to overflowing rivers, with landslides destroying roads and bridges and many homes damaged.

Wind speeds of up to 85mph hit the coast of Guatemala and 13 deaths have been reported across the region. Schools in the district of Sacatepequez where The School of Hope is located were suspended for the safety of our students, many of whom have to walk several miles to school. Our students are soon due to start their final exams and so the storm comes at an already stressful time. Guatemalan governmental officials are concerned about the heavy rains that are expected to cause rivers to swell with flooding across the region.

The link between climate change and the impact for hurricanes in Guatemala is stark. A warming planet can expect stronger and wetter hurricanes over time, and a higher incidence of the most powerful storms. (New York Times).

In Jocotenango, where our school is located, erratic and severe weather events have become much more frequent in recent years. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and torrential downpours take their toll on our school, especially the roof which is now 12 years old.

Due to age and increased frequency of severe weather events our school building needs constant maintenance. Leaks and cracked tiles are a common occurrence. Our teams are constantly juggling in and out side of the classroom to manage the situation.