Transfiguration Catholic School Students Plan Fundraiser To Send Guatemalan Kids To Junior High

third-graders are planning a second-hand sale to benefit school children in Guatemala.

Over the past 12 years, the sale has generated more than $13,000 to help pay the $200 tuition so Guatemalan children can continue their education beyond elementary school.

Third-grade teacher Colleen Mosely organized the sale 13 years ago after participating in a medical mission trip to San Lucas Toliman. On the trip, she met Brother Dennis, head of the San Lucas Toliman schools, who invited her to visit the mission school and outlying schools.

“I saw the materials they had to work with and their struggle of survival they were faced with,” Mosely said.

Few children went to classes beyond elementary because they needed to work to help support their family, she said.

Struck by the genuine happiness of the children despite all the obstacles, Mosley returned to Minnesota and thought of ways Transfiguration Catholic School and Church could help these children who were not able to attend school.

Transfiguration families pitch in their new and gently used items to sell, and spend countless hours marking items and setting up the sale.

As a result of her passion to help these children, San Lucas Toliman was designated as Transfiguration’s mission parish. This past summer, Transfiguration Catholic Church sponsored 11 high school students for its biennial mission trip to San Lucas Toliman.

The sale, planned during the week of Dec. 5, is only open to school students and their parents, however, those that would like to contribute financially to the cause can contact Transfiguration Catholic School at 651-501-2220.