Change a Life, Educate a Child

Dear supporters and friends of The GOD'S CHILD Project,

Thank you very much for your continued support and prayers for the children here in Guatemala. Without the constant support of individuals like you we would not be able to help change the lives of children who were once abused, neglected, abandoned, orphaned, or living on the streets of Guatemala, like Susan.

Susan is a 10 year old girl who is currently living with her grandmother in Jocotenango, close to our Scheel Center Technical School where she is proud to say she is studying in the 3rd grade. She has been fortunate to have a loving grandmother, who stepped in and took legal action against her parents, when she found out that Susan and her siblings were being physically and verbally abused by their parents. 

Susan´s parents suffer from alcoholism, psychological problems, and are unable to hold down employment, making their home life very volatile. Ana, Susan´s grandmother, was able to rescue the four children and has protected them legally from their parents through the help of The GOD´S CHILD Project. 

As members of our project the grandmother and the four children are receiving psychological care, legal counsel, education, access to the Mother´s Club, medical treatment, food, and support. 

Despite Susan´s painful history and current challenges she loves to study and likes to help her grandmother with household chores. As she is the youngest child, she is responsible for helping around the house and studying hard to do well in school.  

Her grandmother and the staff at The GOD’ S CHILD Project are all very proud of her accomplishments and look forward to seeing how quickly she is able to reach her goals throughout her educational endeavors. Her grandmother said with a huge smile, “though it has been difficult for her and her siblings, I am so happy to see how far Susan has come. It has been hard for all of us, but due to the help of The GOD’S CHILD Project we are able to see a brighter future for all the children, and are very grateful for all of the support we are receiving especially for her education.”

Please help us continue to support Susan and the other children like her at the Scheel Center. Your generous contribution today will provide the continued education for the once abandoned children. Also, please consider sharing this story of Susan and how she is overcoming some of life’s greatest challenges and looks to the future with great enthusiasm.  As each child grows, learns, and sees that their dreams are possible we are breaking the chains of poverty, one child at a time.

Many blessings to you and yours,

Melissa Schroden

Director of Special Opportunities and Donations

melissa.schroden@anaguatemala.org

Links:

• The GODS CHILD Project Website
• The GODS CHILD Project on Facebook!
• The GODS CHILD Project on Instagram!

Dear Scheel Center Friends and Supporters,

Thank you so much for your past support of our “second chance” school! Because of generous donors like you, low-income Guatemalan children and families have the opportunity to leave dangerous life situations behind, and begin to dream of better tomorrows.

Let me tell you about one such child, Pedro, and how your support and the work of The GOD’S CHILD Project has helped him and his family take giant steps forward. Pedro lives in a remote area of Old Guatemala known as San Juan Alotenango located 20 kilometers from the Scheel Center.  Pedro has three brothers and they are all being taken care of by their grandmother Maria, who is now 78 years old.

As a young child Pedro and his brothers were abandoned by their mother and father, which has left deep scars and has created some social/educational delays in all four children.  Their relationship with their grandmother, however, is very strong.  Their family is very close and has a strong bond of love, respect and affection.

Due to his parent’s abandonment and living in poverty Pedro has suffered from gastrointestinal, respiratory, and psychological problems which were compounded by poor hygiene due to his previous home environment.  However, since being a part of The GOD’S CHILD Project his family has received a home built by a service team in 2010 which has greatly improved his health.

Before Pedro started studying at the Scheel Center, he could only dream of attending school. He had never used a pen or drawn with crayons and his only games or pastimes were to be with his pets running around the house. In his home there are currently 2 dogs, 4 ducks, and pigeons.

In 2010 his family received a visit by The GOD’S CHILD Project and was invited to study at the Scheel Center. Since he had not attended school before this was a huge responsibility and challenge for him and his grandmother, but it was so exciting when he was able to learn his first letters and numbers with the other students. He has been very proud of his accomplishments and always says “someday I am going to teach other children like myself how to read and write too.” This kind of motivation is key to his success and is important for other children to see.  Pedro is very happy to attend classes at the Scheel Center. He especially enjoys sharing with his friends and studying natural sciences, which is his favorite class.

Today Pedro enjoys reading and drawing, is punctual, responsible and excels with working as a team member. He also likes weaving traditional Guatemalan clothing garments.  He dreams of being a teacher and working with children like himself, being on a soccer team, and he would like to go and see a movie in the capital city some day.

Please join us in supporting Pedro as he continues to heal along with other children like him, recovering from abandonment and poverty. Every child we provide with an education helps us move towards breaking the bitter chains of poverty for their families, giving them hope for a brighter future. 

Blessings,

Links:

• The GODS CHILD Project Website
• The GODS CHILD Project on Facebook