Guatemala has the lowest literacy rate in Latin America and for indigenous women, the situation is even worse: As many as 75% of the women in the communities where we work cannot read or write. Child Aid is working to change this by developing partnerships with schools like Socorro de Belén. Socorro, where Child Aid […] Continue Reading
Child Aid News
The Power of Literacy in Xojolá
In the rural community of Xojolá, where Child Aid plans to begin work this year, the school director, Alejandro Guarchaj Mas, shared his thoughts with us about his community’s need for educational improvement. Mr. Guarchaj explained that without substantial support from the government, their community has been left without adequate resources in their schools. (To […] Continue Reading
Changing Lives Through Literacy
Here is Child Aid’s latest video, which illustrates the human impact of our work. Thank you to all our supporters for helping improve these children’s lives through literacy. Your involvement makes all the difference! Continue Reading
25 New Readers in Tzumpango
Congratulations to the 25 students who completed Child Aid’s Reading for Life program! Just last week, these kids received diplomas from Child Aid literacy trainers, recognizing all their hard work and dedication to reading. What better way to spend vacation than reading! Before Reading for Life, these kids had virtually no access to books or […] Continue Reading
Librarian Brings Reading Programs to Tzumpango
What a difference time, training and leadership makes. A few years ago the library in Tzumpango, Guatemala was much like any municipal library in the country. It had a few well-guarded books and almost no children’s books. Lending practices were restricted to approved teachers and for students only under very strict guidelines. In other words, […] Continue Reading
Portland Roasting Supports Child Aid!
We are very proud to announce that Portland Roasting is supporting Child Aid’s literacy work in Guatemala this season! Every time Portland Roasting sells a bag of its special Guatemalan Holiday Blend, it will donate $1 to Child Aid! This means that every time you buy a bag of Guatemalan Holiday Blend coffee, you support Child Aid. The […] Continue Reading
Universal Children’s Day
This Saturday, November 20th, join Child Aid by observing Universal Children’s Day. This commemoration marks the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. This convention remains the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world, […] Continue Reading
Las Canoas Celebrates Child Aid Programs
We just received some photos from our Guatemala Program Director, John van Keppel, of a celebration in one of the communities where Child Aid works. Yesterday, the Kaqchikel community of Las Canoas gathered to inaugurate new furniture, bookshelves and a computer for the library. Thanks to the Planet Wheeler Foundation, the kids now have tables […] Continue Reading
Guatemalans Still Struggling after Agatha
Here’s an excellent and sad video showing how people in Guatemala are still struggling following the devasting Tropical Storm Agatha. Continue Reading
State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
The United Nations just released its highly informative State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples report. Throughout the report, the UN reiterates the fundamental importance of providing greater educational opportunities to indigenous children. For those without the time to hunker down and read all 250 pages of the report, here are a few excerpts that pertain specifically to […] Continue Reading