Our Kids

One need not look far to learn of the problems of Guatemalan children who lack the life structures necessary to become healthy adults. Their plight is well documented. Besides suffering from the effects of their 36-year civil war that ended in 1996, children in Guatemala also face dismal social statistics. According to the National Survey on Mother and Child Health, 50 percent of children under the age of five suffer form chronic malnutrition. Guatemala has the region's highest infant mortality rate, according to UNICEF's State of the World's children 2000. Guatemala also has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the region.

Recognizing that these basic physical needs are not being met, developing resiliency and strength in these children is especially important. Providing them with hope and exposing them to a supportive and structured environment is critical to developing within them the tools necessary to overcome their developmental deprivation and find ways to become productive and creative adults.

Our host children are referred to Niños del Lago from non-profit, registered, social-service agencies working in Guatemala to help the most-severely disadvantaged youth. We will receive 100 campers each week (over a 7-month camp season) between the ages of seven and twelve, at an age we believe mentorship can be most effective.