Our mission
Niños del Lago's mission is to support vulnerable children in Guatemala through education, health, and personal development, empowering them to stay in school, succeed academically, and grow into agents of change in their communities.
Our vision
Inspiring Guatemalan children to transform their lives for a better future.
The Niños del Lago (NdL) team provides comprehensive support in math, reading and writing skills; basic health care screenings, check-ups and nutrition workshops, as well as personal development mentoring and enrichment workshops.
The NdL program fosters personal growth by helping children to acheive academic success and advance in school. Ultimately the program is designed to help children grow to become responsible changemakers within their communities.
Why is support so essential in Guatemala?
Education in Guatemala is challenging, and many children face obstacles that prevent them from advancing academically. Beyond the difficulties in the education system itself, there are deeper issues affecting the children’s progress, such as family disintegration, economic instability, and other social factors.
Many children do not have the necessary materials for learning, and their parents often cannot assist them because they may never have attended school themselves and do not know how to help.
Additionally, these families frequently lack basic resources for daily living, which further hinders the children’s ability to focus, stay motivated, and succeed in school. At Niños del Lago, we understand that true support must go beyond academics, it means addressing the whole child’s reality, providing not only educational assistance but also emotional support and health care to help them overcome these barriers and thrive.
Poverty
48.6% of the population lives in poverty, directly impacting families with school-age children by limiting basic resources essential for their development (INE-National Institute of Statistics).
Education
The World Bank reports that many children between the ages of 7 and 11 face challenges completing primary education, with high rates of grade repetition and dropout due to lack of support.
In Guatemala about one-third of adults have not completed primary education, making it difficult for them to effectively support their children during this critical learning stage (INE-National Institute of Statistics).
Health
Guatemala is a country that faces challenges in several areas, especially education and health. One of Niños del Lago's missions is to teach children the importance of health, focusing on three core components: medical care, proper nutrition and improved hygiene. For example, we organize workshops to teach children about hygiene, prevention, and healthy cooking, and to engage them in health-related topics in a fun way.
Snapshots of Connection
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