Contribute to Help Guatemalan Access Education

East Coast Roofing, Siding, and Windows has a long history of partnering with the people of Santa Cruz La Laguna in Guatemala, one of the poorest towns in the Lake Atitlán region. It all began years ago when the company’s founder, Larry Scott Stiteler, decided to sponsor a new feeding center with MANNA Worldwide. Through this partnership with Manna, East Coast Roofing was able to solely fund this center that served over 60 children a day.  On Larry’s first visit to Santa Cruz, he fell in love with the village and the people. After many visits he decided to buy a house there and live most of the year in Santa Cruz. Larry was very passionate about the people and helped where he could, from construction projects to shoe drives.

Stiteler continued to support Santa Cruz by opening the villages first dental clinic to address dire dental health concerns. Through East Coast Roofing he funded the land purchase, construction, and the clinic’s initial operation costs. The clinic operates independently today, serving as both a medical clinic and a dental clinic. Larry Scott Stiteler passed away in 2023, and his son, Shawn Stiteler, continues his father’s charitable legacy.

A non-profit named Amigos de Santa Cruz is leading a new project in Santa Cruz to address educational deprivation in the village. There have been many serious concerns, such as rampant corruption that siphons school funding before it reaches the classroom. Moreover, many of the area’s teachers are politically appointed, with little accountability for performance.

As a result, 70-80% of the children in Santa Cruz complete 6th grade without basic skills in reading, math, or critical thinking. The problem is compounded by the fact that the local Mayan dialect, Kachiquel, is spoken in Santa Cruz so children must also learn Spanish as their second language. Because of this, the isolated Santa Cruz residents experience great difficulty finding opportunities to improve their quality of life.

With a long-standing passion and track record for improving education, Amigos plans to launch a new, community-based school that will provide solutions to these issues and better opportunities for the children of Santa Cruz.

The school is named Colego Siqaján and provides education through the 6th grade. The goal is for the children to graduate trilingual, gaining proficiency in English, Spanish, and Kachiquel. The school will create accessibility through subsidized tuition, with 90% covered by the non-profit, Amigos.

Siqaján is revolutionizing education in Santa Cruz, providing play-based learning that encourages creativity and critical thinking. All teachers undergo rigorous training, and there is a strong emphasis on community involvement by local leaders and global experts. Additionally, the school requires active parental participation to foster household-wide literacy, breaking the generational cycle of illiteracy and poverty.

East Coast has pledged matching funds of $50,000 to the school, to be raised by the end of 2026. We are launching a dollar-for-dollar donation match campaign. Donations must be made directly to Amigos and include “East Coast Match” in the memo line. If you want to contribute, click on this link for your convenience.

With your help, East Coast can continue its humanitarian work, with a special love for the people of Santa Cruz. The school initiative by Amigos will provide accessible learning for local children in this remote village. Community and donor support will directly fund Siqaján and positively impact the trajectory of the entire Santa Cruz village. Your contribution is more than a donation. It’s an investment in breaking the cycle of generational poverty.

Help East Coast Roofing, Siding, & Windows contribute to a future in which every child in Santa Cruz can read, write, and dream big! Donate today, and we’ll match your contribution dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Remember, “East Coast Match” must be in the memo line. Thank you in advance for supporting this worthwhile cause!