FUNDET was established by the Zion's' Foundation to assist Latin American returned missionaries and other LDS young adults to acquire meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. FUNDET operates a year-round school in Quetzaltengango, Guatemala; the second largest city in Guatemala. Courses of instruction include business management, entrepreneurship, computer applications, English as a second language, carpentry, masonry, electrical, refrigeration, barbering, beautician and others.

Phase 1: A combined team of business graduate and undergraduate students developed a business curriculum that included modules in finance, marketing, leadership and economics. The team developed the program based on several discussions with the school’s administration and information gathered directly from the students via surveys and questionnaires. The team also examined the computer curriculum in place and recommended a Spanish textbook that could be used in the classroom to reinforce those concepts.

Phase 2: One of the MBA students spent approximately three months at the school implementing and revising the curriculum.  This student also looked at the school model by analyzing three different areas.  These areas included:

1.     Identification and recruitment of students

2.     Educational Experience (facilities, faculty, coursework, administration)

3.     Job Placement Program

Results: The team presented its findings to Zion’s Foundation at the end of the summer.  The Foundation is examining ways to implement some of the findings into the school model.