Kids, kids and more kids

Eareckson Kendall

We often say that God is running before us at Groundwork Guatemala in such a big and exciting way, that sometimes it's hard to keep up with Him! It has been evident from the beginning that He chose educational scholarships as a big part of how we were to be ministering to the needs of the people we serve. Although public school is said by the government to be free, the reality is that the students need uniforms, shoes and supplies. I would venture to say that for most of us a price tag of $70-100 for a year's education is well within the affordable range, but for most of the families we serve it is a price tag in the "impossible" range. 

Isis Alondra

Hernan Ismael

Vilma Consuelo

So, 2011 has found us with a gaggle of kids!! Or maybe I should say herd? or swarm? Well, anyway, we're very close to 100 beautiful children who are receiving assistance to attend school this year. From the public school in Buena Vista, to the Christian school in Amatitlán, to the private and Christian schools in Guatemala City, and various other schools in each of our sites, we are very excited to offer these children and their families the opportunity to move forward through education. We primarily work with families with which we've established a relationship so that we know there are genuine needs. Throughout the year we work with the families and children to encourage and do all we can to help them have a successful year in school. Given the culture of poverty that defines most of the population of Guatemala, we feel privileged to be called to assist these children and young adults to move forward in their lives, to rise above the high rate of illiteracy and failure.

Llymi Adan

It's just amazing to me how excited these kids are to just be able to go to school. Recently, Llymi (pronounced "yimmie") left for school in El Rincón with a big smile and his backpack. He is 14 years old and in the 3rd grade. It's not unusual for older children to be in lower grades because many have not been able to attend school every year, or at all, unless they had some type of assistance. Kevin said that shortly after Llymi left, he came back home again. Most people here don't have a clock or watch, so it's hard to know what time it is. But Llymi had left for school at 11:30 in the morning. His classes didn't begin until 1:00 in the afternoon! So excited to be able to go to school that he didn't want to risk being late!!

Many have been asking about how they can begin to sponsor a child's education through Groundwork Guatemala. Because there are children attending both private and public schools, there is a wide range of options from which you can choose. From $7 to $30 or more per month, you can choose what amount you feel God has called you to donate and whether you would like to send your donation monthly, quarterly or yearly. Donations can be made by check, bank auto-pay or PayPal. How can you get started? Contact Rachel via email at sponsor@groundworkguatemala.org and let her know what dollar amount you would like to donate, your method of sending your donation and if you have any preferences as to age, boy/girl, location of your sponsored child. She'll take it from there!

Fidelia Esperanza

Four times each year you will receive communications from your sponsored child and soon you will discover how much you have become part of your child's family.

Connecting hearts. It doesn't get much better than that!