Education Guatemala Project #32244

Life-changing preschool in Guatemala

by Maya Childcare, Inc.

Summary

El Centro Bellota (Acorn Childcare Center) provides children with exceptional early childhood education, nourishing meals, and a sense of safety and belonging. We help children prepare for primary school by providing education, medical and nutritional needs. During the pandemic, our teachers and staff are continuing to provide daily instruction and learning materials for students at home, as well as, essential resources to families so that they have medical supplies and enough food to eat.

$150,000
total goal

$45,925
remaining

224
donors

15
monthly donors

4
fundraisers

5
years

Challenge

Parents of children living in poverty have to work to be able to provide for their children, but they often do not have access to education, food and medical care necessary for children to be prepared for primary school. Children often must care for their younger siblings - at very young ages. The 0-5 years are crucial to children's development and there are little resources to help support these formative years. Without intervention, children will continue the cycle of poverty.

Solution

Centro Infantil Bellota (Acorn Childcare Center) in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala is an early childhood center that has served over 250 children since we opened in 2007. We support children and their families by providing a stimulating educational environment, nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon snack), medical care and a loving and supportive environment. We also provide on-going support for parents and siblings to help their children learn and grow to their full potential.

Long-Term Impact

The 14 year history of the Acorn Childcare Center has proven that the services that we provide are helping children and their families succeed in school and in life. We have seen the impact through older siblings and relatives who have participated in our pre-school. They return for celebrations and they are achieving at high levels in primary school which is directly related to their time learning at our pre-school. The results impact, not only the child, but the whole family system.