Break The Cycle Of Poverty Through Education in GT

Friends of Niños de Guatemala,

This month has been a very exciting and busy one for Niños de Guatemala. We have received great support from both organizations and individuals,celebrated with our students and community, and been joined by creative and talented staff in our office here in Antigua.

On September 15^th we celebrated Independence Day in Guatemala and our students took part in parades with all of the schools of Ciudad Vieja. The 2016 school year is winding down and students are preparing for their final exams. October 7th marks the last day of school until Summer School in November. The schools will be closed until November 3rd and Summer School will last until the 30th. 

Niños de Guatemala is excited to announce that we have recently launched a Sponsorship Department. In addition to the Padrino Program that we already operate, we will also now have a suite of Corporate Sponsorship options ranging levels and programs. 

Today, we'd like to highlight a story out of our recently operational Community Center. The Community Center has been running for one year and provides workshops in a range of topics including cooking, baking, Zumba and jewelry making, with the goal to provide educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to all families in our communities, not just those whose children we educate. Only 20% of our parents completed primary education so most do not have the ability to access sustainable employment opportunities. Our hope is that our Community Center offers opportunities that will provide families with income generation opportunities and empower them.

One such story is that of Mirna. Mirna is 49 years old, and is responsible for caring for her 20 year old son and two parents. Mirna loves to sew. To continue to build her skills, she decided to take a sewing class with the Community Center, and upon its completion, she took an embroidery class. This embroidery class taught her skills she did not previously have, and allowed for her to acquire more business. Thanks to the classes she took at the Community Center, Mirna will now be able to provide that much more for her family. 

Finally, a word on our staff: In the last few weeks several new staff members have joined us in our Antigua office. Corinne Hone will be joining our staff as a Volunteers Coordinator, and will assist Harriette Rothwell, our Volunteers Manager in her tasks. Additionally, Paul Howley will join as the Social Business Assistant to help manage our ever growing social businesses. A new group of people who are passionate about Niños de Guatemala’s mission, and who will use all of their abilities to better the lives of our community.

Thank you for your support!