Break The Cycle Of Poverty Through Education in GT

Dear supporters,

This month, I would like to share the story of our Mother Self Esteem Program, provided by the Psychology Department. eight mothers of our students attended the monthly Grupo de Autoayuda. The workshop teaches independent thinking, relaxation, breathing exercises and the significance of forming one’s own opinions. The program highlights the strength of women and how females can be empowered.

For this meeting, the mothers all sat together in a circle to watch a short documentary about

seven women who have changed the world. None of the mothers knew that women invented things like GPS and gasmasks, which we still use today. The documentary showed that women and men are equal and that women can do whatever they want to do and are capable of changing the world.

All of the mothers recognize and respect the impact women have in our lives. They recognize the value they have as strong women and that they provide a positive role model for their children.

Maya (31) “I have enjoyed attending these workshops since the beginning. I did not know how to control my feelings before I started the workshop. I got angry very quickly but now I know how to stay calm and maintain a positive attitude. I can share my thoughts and feelings with the other mothers. I am now a good example for my children and have seen a positive change in them.”

Do you want more stories like this and read about NDG’s work in Guatemala? To keep up to date with our projects and happenings wherever you are in the world, follow us on Social Media!

As always, thank you so much for your continued support!

Links:

• Visit our website to learn more about the work NDG does!
• Follow us on Instagram!
• Follow us on Facebook!

Imagine a week full of surprises, adventures and different activities where five teams compete against each other, while traveling and experiencing Guatemala first hand; that's the Experience Guatemala Challenge, an annual fundraising event organized by Niños de Guatemala.

This year, teams consisted of both Guatemalans and foreigners residing outside and inside the country: Ryan and Angie from Good Trip travel agency in Texas, United States; Samuel and Natalia from La Iguana Perdida Hostel in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala; Kike and Fares from La Cantina Royal and Abita / Brooklyn Brewery in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala; Elisa and Laurel, two Antigua expats; and Roosmarijn and Myrte from the Netherlands. Each team was responsible for raising 5,000USD for Niños de GUatemala and from the 8th to the 13th of April, they competed in a series of physical, culinary and cultural challenges around the country, from making kites to fishing for their own dinner.

The objective of the event is to raise funds for the operation of our three schools in Ciudad Vieja and San Lorenzo el Cubo at the same time of awareness about the work we do.

"The Experience Guatemala Challenge was the best experience to explore the country, get to know the people and culture of Guatemala, and go places that you would not otherwise visit. It was incredibly interesting to do the challenges, which were a surprise and everyone had their connection with the local culture "  - Myrte Kok (Participant)

This year the participants learned to prepare typical Guatemalan dishes in Ciudad Vieja, make kites with rice paper in San Lorenzo el Cubo, were taught how to make corn tortillas and weave with a waist loom in Nahualá, visited the beautiful Laguna Chicabal in Quetzaltenango, fished in traditional wooden boats on Lake Atitlán and visited the coffee growing areas around Antigua. After completing 10 challenges, our teams returned to their homes, with new friends, a clearer vision of what Niños de Guatemala does to break the cycle of poverty and above all a stronger commitment to help break it.

Links:

• Want to be part of The Experience Guatemala Challenge 2019?