When technological expertise meets creative problem-solving, extraordinary things happen in the highlands of Guatemala.
Picture this: A technology professional and an internal medicine physician swap their comfortable Washington state home for four weeks to travel to the chilly mountains of Guatemala’s Ixil region in November and December 2024. Not your typical restful sabbatical-just cables to run, computers to install, and lives to change. This is the story of Arun and Julie Thomas, a couple whose dedication to education has literally rewired the future for Mayan youth.
A Partnership Built on Purpose
Since Nicolas Fund for Education (NFE) began in 2012, Arun and Julie Thomas have been more than just supporters—they’ve been architects of change. While their monthly donations provide steady financial support, it’s their hands-on involvement that truly sets them apart from typical charitable giving.
Arun brings his technology expertise to NFE’s Technology Committee, where every dollar spent on equipment is carefully scrutinized and planned. His technical background ensures that donated funds stretch further by selecting cost-effective solutions that maximize impact for Mayan students. Meanwhile, Julie leverages her passion for cross-cultural relationship-building and bilingual abilities as NFE’s Mission Trip Coordinator—a role that has become increasingly complex and crucial.
“It is difficult to overstate just how helpful and essential Julie has been,” explains Becci Merritt, NFE President Emerita, as the organization has dramatically expanded from three annual mission trips to five or six trips per year in 2024 and 2025.
When Spanish Fluency Meets Technical Expertise
Julie’s “accidental” enrollment in middle school Spanish sparked a love for the language and a desire to visit Spain and Ecuador. She quickly notes how her studies created opportunities for friendships both at home and abroad. Working alongside team interpreter Clarita de los Angeles Godínez Duarte, Julie strives to create trips that are fun, meaningful, and accessible to eager participants. Her linguistic ability proved invaluable during their most ambitious project yet.
Four Weeks That Changed Everything
In November and December 2024, Arun and Julie temporarily stayed in the Ixil region of Guatemala, surrounded by Cat 5 cables, 35 Beelink mini-PCs, 9 UniFi WiFi Access Points, a UniFi Cloud Gateway, two UniFi network switches, two uninterruptible power units, and a Starlink rooftop receiver. Their goal was to build a complete school computer lab and WiFi network from scratch. The weather wasn’t ideal—the chilly Ixil region in November and December was a stark contrast to their home in the Pacific Northwest. They also struggled to find accommodations and even considered sleeping in the school while it was still under construction. But for the Thomas couple, comfort wasn’t the priority.
Working with teachers Antonio Eber Rodríguez, Benjamin Cordova, Neftaly Merida, Nelson Torres, Samuel Lopez, and campus jack-of-all-trades Antonio Bernal at Nicolás Christian School, they undertook a technical installation that would challenge even a professional IT team. Arun’s expertise guided the complex network setup, which included a Starlink rooftop satellite internet connection and Wi-Fi access points, providing students with access to untold educational resources who had never used a computer before.
Julie’s role proved equally crucial, as she translated Spanish-language technical instructions that were not part of her usual vocabulary, ensuring clear communication between Arun and the school staff. Together, they carefully installed 35 compact but powerful mini-PCs—machines chosen by Arun and the Technology Committee for their perfect balance of capability and cost-effectiveness.
The deadline was non-negotiable. Everything had to be ready for Nicolás Christian School’s opening day in January 2025.
A Legacy That Multiplies
As the school doors opened in January, students walked into a fully functional computer lab—a testament to four weeks of meticulous work by two volunteers who could have easily written a check and stayed home. They are quick to add that the creative problem-solving abilities and hardworking attitudes of the staff were vital to their success.
The February 2025 dedication ceremony highlighted their achievement in real-time. Thanks to their technical setup, the event was broadcast live, enabling NFE supporters around the world to see the results of their efforts. Two different NFE teams attended the school for the ceremony, witnessing firsthand how individual dedication can bring about lasting institutional change.
Raising the Next Generation of Givers
Perhaps most impressively, Arun and Julie have successfully passed their generosity philosophy to their children. Their son, Zach, started supporting charities at the age of 18 and has been an NFE donor since the organization’s inception. His words reveal the family’s core values: “My Dad has really inspired me to give financially. He is very generous.”
Zach shares his father’s perspective that “the most fun part of earning a paycheck is to give money to others”—a philosophy that transforms earning into purpose. Their daughter Katie has also joined as a donor and has helped with translation on many trips, ensuring that the Thomas legacy of giving and going will continue into the next generation.
More Than Donors: True Partners in Change
The Thomas family exemplifies something increasingly rare in charitable giving: full engagement. They don’t just donate money; they offer expertise, time, language skills, and personal sacrifice. They don’t only support an organization; they help build its capacity for greater impact.
Their story challenges the traditional view of philanthropy. While many supporters give financially and feel their job is done, Arun and Julie show what’s possible when professional skills combine with personal dedication. A skilled technology expert becomes an IT specialist in rural Guatemala. An experienced internal medicine doctor becomes a logistics coordinator for mission trips. Monthly donors become builders of infrastructure.
The Ripple Effect
As NFE expands its reach—visiting multiple villages, organizing larger teams, and adding complex side trips to destinations like PanajacheL, Julie’s coordination skills become even more valuable. Each trip she organizes, each team leader she trains, and each itinerary she crafts, multiplies the organization’s impact exponentially.
Meanwhile, every technology decision guided by Arun’s expertise ensures that donor dollars create maximum educational opportunity. In a world where charitable overhead often dilutes impact, his technical stewardship guarantees that funds reach their intended destination: Mayan students hungry for educational opportunity.
A Model for Meaningful Giving
From their home base at Encounter Church on Mercer Island, Washington, Arun and Julie Thomas have created a blueprint for transformational philanthropy. Their approach combines financial generosity with skills-based volunteering, creating impact far beyond what money alone could achieve.
Their story shows that the most impactful charitable giving occurs when supporters see themselves not just as outside benefactors, but as essential partners in an organization’s mission. When expertise combines with compassion, privilege teams up with purpose, and comfort takes a backseat to calling, extraordinary change becomes achievable. Arun and Julie also mention that the change is mutual—that their entire family would not be the same without their friends in Guatemala.
The computer lab at Nicolás Christian School stands as more than just a room full of equipment. It’s a monument to what happens when two people decide that their gifts, skills, and time are too valuable to keep to themselves.
Join the Mission: Be Part of the Change
You can be a part of this story. Your time, skills, and generosity can transform the lives of students in the Ixil region, just as Arun and Julie’s have. You have the power to help continue this vital work. Here’s how you can join the Nicolas Fund for Education mission today:
- Give Generously: Your financial support provides essential resources, from school supplies to technology, creating educational opportunities for Mayan youth. Every gift makes a difference. Donate Now
- Go and Serve: Experience the mission firsthand. Join a mission trip to Guatemala to connect with the community, support the school, and witness the life-changing impact of your involvement. Join a Mission Trip
- Spread the Word: Share this story of hope and transformation with your friends, family, and church community. By raising awareness, you help grow our circle of support and multiply our impact.