Foundations for Education
WHO WE ARE
We are a nonprofit organization whose focus is supporting rural communities in Guatemala with emphasis on education.
According to the National Committee of Literacy, Guatemala’s index of illiteracy is 18.5%. (2.3 million Guatemalans do not know how to read or write.) Lack of access to education has significantly contributed to this number.
According to the statistics, 60% of Guatemalan children do not finish elementary school. The number is much greater for indigenous children who do not speak Spanish. Approximately 30% of indigenous children do not pass first grade and often abandon education after repeating first grade several times. The impact of COVID to education has been drastic and unequal. It led to educational abandonment in all levels of education with a larger negative impact in rural communities.
In the rural areas of Guatemala, children do not start school until they are 7 years old which places them at a great disadvantage relative to children who attended a preschool. During their first 6 years, children learn how to relate to others, develop responsibility skills, and learn the importance of respecting cultural norms which generate a series of habits that lead to development of character.
Preschool education can be very empowering to children and is deserving of increased attention in Guatemala. We as an organization believe that all boys and girls have the right to have access to the opportunities that preschool offers.
OUR MISSION
Contribute to the integral formation of children in rural communities of Guatemala, including values, behaviors, aptitudes, and knowledge.
OUR VISION
To form successful children through cognitive development which will enable them to confront the challenges in their future and reach their greater potential.
PROGRAM
TREE OF STORIES – It is a library with the goal of increasing exposure to books to promote interest in reading in children from 3-6 years of age.
Reading is a process where children interpret symbols, forms, and pictures while simultaneously increasing their ability to communicate, develop imagination, and foster creativity.
In addition to story books, we also provide basic materials to learn the alphabet, numbers, and colors. This gives our students the opportunity to form a solid base to step into reading, writing, math and improved success in school.
Through different activities we encourage our students to freely explore and discover using their curiosity and own experiences. The activities take place in a friendly environment, giving the children security and confidence to grow in independence and self-sufficiency.
In addition to educating our students, we also have the objective to encourage their parents to participate in their children’s education. We offer a variety of programs which include education, nutrition, and how to support their children in developing self-responsibility.
A Photo Gallery of Our Work
