Child sponsorship

Guatemala

Our partner, Compassion began partnering with churches in 1980.

	252 local partners

	More than 61,690 children registered

	Over 736 mums and their babies supported

About Guatemala

Hola (Hello in Spanish)

Guatemala is located in Central America is known for its vast rainforests, towering volcanoes and stunning brightly coloured textiles. Spanish is the nation’s official language, though each of the 21 different Mayan communities have their own dialects. Poverty is rising in Guatemala, with indigenous people and rural communities most affected. As crops fail in ongoing drought, many families are gripped by famine. Local churches across the nation are stepping up to protect their people from extortion and violence, to offer shelter and food where they can, to meet basic needs and provide children with an environment of safety and security, where they can learn, grow and play without fear.

Watch the latest video update to learn more about Compassion's work in Guatemala.

HOW YOU CAN PRAY

Thank you for praying for staff, children and families in Guatemala

+ Pray for protection over Guatemalan children who are most vulnerable to child labour.

+ Pray for provision and health for babies, children and youth experiencing growth stunting and wasting due to malnutrition.

+ Pray that our church partners can continue to protect youth from the presence of gangs in their communities.

+ Pray that God will raise up young Christian leaders to impact their communities.

A snapshot of Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program in Guatemala

Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.

Children aged 1 to 3 receive home-based care
Children aged 3 to 12 visit the Compassion centre for three hours a day, two days a week.
Students aged 12 to 19 attend the centre for four hours on Saturdays.

Compassion Program Activities in Guatemala

Compassion assisted children in Guatemala typically attend the child development centre at their local church before or after school. Older students attend on Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Guatemala.

Devotional time - Children are taught to pray.

Spiritual lessons - Children sing songs and learn Bible stories. Young children aged three to five receive a preschool Bible, those aged six to eight receive a children’s picture Bible, while older sponsored children receive a youth Bible, then a study Bible.

Break and snack time - Children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships. They are often provided with a substantial snack during program activities. A snack often consists of cereal and a banana, a sandwich and fruit.

Social-emotional lessons - Children learn conflict resolution skills and how to develop healthy self-esteem. Many of the children come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.

Lunch and social time - Children generally receive lunch at the centre. A typical meal usually consists of meat (chicken or beef), rice, vegetables and tortillas. They may also have chicken broth, a piece of chicken, vegetables and tortillas. They often receive a hot beverage called atol made from different cereals like corn and wheat. In the hot areas of the country, they might receive lemonade or juice.

Health lessons - Children learn practical health and hygiene lessons.

Letter writing and career planning - Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.

In addition to Compassion’s curriculum, older students can choose to undergo vocational training to build their skills in carpentry, pastry baking, seamstress training, beautician skills, or handicrafts. Some centres have partnered with a government organisation INTECAP (Technical Training and Productivity Institute) to provide sponsored children with the skills they need to become competitive in the workforce. Parents are invited to meetings to discuss topics such as child development and health issues.