Education is at the heart of breaking the chains of generational poverty. Children born into poverty and neglect require a compelling, holistic approach to build confidence in their ability to dream. The opening of our school 'La Academia' in 2016 has been a great success. Our center is home to our Teacher-Training Program, Critical-Thinking, English, Spanish, History, Psychology, Homework Study, Art, Playtime, and Theater Programs. We serve 1,500 meals monthly to 81 children, 5-21 years old.
There's Fatima (5), who used to sit in a tin-shack watching other kids go to school, wishing she had the chance. Now she can. There's Luis (9), who was a modern day slave, picking wood in the hills and selling it in the local market. He is in school now and brings his 5-year-old sister Margarita to play and study. And there are 78 other children whose inspiring stories begin with your generosity. Most young children in Guatemala have no access to authentic intellectual stimulation or real love.
Stability is essential in providing a solution to the wrath of poverty. Through our school, La Academia', The Integral Heart Family provides educational scholarships for 80 students to receive a compelling education to break out of this viscous cycle of generational poverty. At the center they receive three healthy meals every day. After their regular school, they participate in the following after school programs: Critical-Thinking, English, Spanish, History, Psychology, Homework and Art.
Most important to the success of our 80 students is a loving, stable support network; that is what has arisen at La Academia. They are given love, individual attention, and dependable adults in their life who they can count on. They have someone who they can show their grades who will say, "I'm proud of you." Our Teachers-in-Training pass on their wisdom to younger students - Guatemalans solving the problems of Guatemala. Our dream is to enable our students' dreams and with your help we can.
