Our Impact

GIVING CHILDREN THE TOOLS AND SKILLS TO FULFILL THEIR DREAMS

Our programs  target the skills, knowledge and attributes that will equip young people with the life skills essential for their own  development and the development of their families and their communities.

 Our talented scholars are chosen from poor backgrounds and are given a chance to realize their potential through education and related support programs that are mostly lacking in the formal school system in Guatemala. A student who starts at the junior high school level has the opportunity to progress all the way to University level studies. In their progression they will benefit from academic support such as computer skills, English and mathematics programs , clubs such as Debate and  Art and other activities that will set them up for success.

 We can see the development of our students first hand, in measures such as their academic standing, leadership, future employment, earning levels , marital status and age of marriage, number of children and other social and economic measures. Although we are a small charity with limited resources, we periodically conduct an external evaluation of our students compared to their peers in the general population. Here is what we found:

• In Guatemalan culture, early unions are common in rural areas, with girls marrying as young as 12 and boys before the age of 18. However, according to our study, the majority of our former scholars married after the age of 20, and 78% remain single. This reflects the positive impact of our work, as education empowers our scholars to make informed decisions about their futures.

• Guatemalan households typically consist of 5 to 6 children, with families in rural areas often having as many as 10 to 12. A notable shift in social behavior is evident among our former scholars, whose families now average just 1 or 2 children. This significant change reflects evolving values and increased awareness influenced by education and access to opportunity.

• Despite a context marked by poverty and limited opportunities, where many young people choose to enter the workforce to meet basic needs and support their families, 33% of our former scholars have continued their education at the university level. This highlights their determination and the transformative impact of educational support.

• Currently, 81% of our former scholars are employed, while 19% are not. The majority of those not working are women, many of whom are single and/or still living with their parents.

• Among our former scholars, 41% are employed in public government institutions, 23% work in the private sector, another 23% have started their own businesses, and 13% are engaged in the informal sector, either self-employed or working for others.

• In Guatemala, approximately 60% of the population lives in poverty, surviving on just Q400 ($53) to Q900 ($120) per month. In contrast, 32% of our students from rural areas earn more than Q2000 per month ($266), 23% earn over Q4,000 (around $530), and 4% earn more than Q5,000 ($650). This represents a significant advancement, particularly among former scholars who have completed high school or university. Their improved income levels highlight the positive impact of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.