Life-changing preschool in Guatemala

Children thrive when parents are able to actively promote their positive growth and development, and parents thrive when they have a caring community of support around them.

While there is no cost to enroll in the Acorn Childcare Center, parents do contribute what they can and they are required to volunteer and attend workshops throughout the school year. The workshops focus on parenting skills and child development and allow families learn from one another and talk about their experiences and feelings in a safe, supportive environment.

In May, we invited a professional nurse to come to the Center to talk with the parents about children’s health, especially the hazards of soft drinks and sweets. Guatemala has some of the worst rates of malnutrition child mortality in the region— nearly half of children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition — which is why nutrition is one of the main components of care at the Center. 

In June, the topic for parents was self-esteem and domestic violence. Children who experience domestic violence often suffer from low self-esteem as they internalize the negative messages they see and hear. Children who witness abuse can also develop low self-esteem, which in turn can lead to a cycle of abusive behavior that carries into future relationships. Recognizing the signs and breaking free from this cycle of abuse is crucial for the well-being of children and their family members. 

July’s workshop will focus on the importance of quality time between parents and children. Quality time can involve activities that build relationships, such as reading, talking or eating together. It can also include simply creating a home environment of warmth and sensitivity towards children that allows for deeper conversations and questions.

With your ongoing generosity we are able to continue to offer these workshops each month, a critical support for caregivers which in turn benefits the whole family. Thank you! 

Links:

• Read the full story - with photos - on the blog!

Ambaly, age 4, moved to Quetzaltenango two months ago with her maternal grandmother. Ambaly’s mother abandoned her and her siblings when she was just 4 months old. Ambaly’s grandmother has limited income and was only able to care for Ambaly but was able to arrange for the older siblings to live with their paternal grandparents in Retalhuleu.

When grandma learned that Ambaly’s cousin Samantha has been attending the Acorn Childcare Center for the past three years, she enrolled Ambaly, too. Ambaly quickly adapted to the routine and many activities. She feels happy and safe with Samantha and they sit together at meal times.

Read the full story - with more photos - on the blog!

The Acorn Childcare Center is able to offer such crucial, life-changing support to children like Ambaly thanks to the work and the generosity of many people, doing and giving what they can to help. Every contribution matters, and together all these efforts make a huge difference. Thank you!

Links:

• Read the full story with photos on the blog!