Education Guatemala Project #6822

Change a Life, Educate a Child

by The GOD'S CHILD Project

Project Report | Feb 27, 2026
Success Against The Odds

By Robbie Middleton | Becas & Padrinos

Angelique is an 8-year-old girl currently in the 2nd grade who lives with her mother, father, and sister. From a very young age, she struggled with intestinal problems that made it difficult for her to gain weight. When she was just a baby in 2019, Angelique spent time with us at our Casa Jackson Malnutrition Hospital to receive care for these issues.

In 2023, her family applied through the Service Team programme for assistance to build a house. However, when a visit was made to their proposed site in Santa Ana, it was found to be too dangerous to build there. Despite this setback, Angelique was enrolled in ANA’s Scholarship and Sponsorship Programme, which provided important educational support.

Tragedy struck the family in 2024 when Angelique’s house, located at the top of a hill, was destroyed by a landslide caused by heavy rain. The collapse not only destroyed their home but also damaged a neighbouring house. As a result, the family had to move and began renting a room from Angelique’s grandmother in Ciudad Vieja.

In 2025, Angelique began experiencing stomach pain, and medical examinations revealed a tumour that rapidly grew to the size of a baseball. She was diagnosed with cancer and referred to UNOP, the Children’s Oncology Unit, in Guatemala City for treatment. Angelique started chemotherapy, which caused her to lose all her hair and left her very weak at times, unable to attend school or even get out of bed. During this difficult period, ANA supported Nahomy by providing transportation to medical appointments and helping with the purchase of medicines when UNOP could not supply them.

Despite her illness, Angelique remained committed to her education. Her school sent study guides for her to complete at home between treatments, and with the financial support from ANA’s scholarship cheques, her family was able to facilitate her learning. Remarkably, in August 2025, Angelique was declared cancer-free and in remission. By November, she had successfully passed her school classes, demonstrating incredible determination and resilience.

Now in 2026, Angelique is happy to be back at school, reconnecting with her friends, and feeling more confident as her hair grows back. Although her intestinal problems continue to affect her, sometimes preventing her from attending school, she is working hard with the ongoing support of ANA and her family to keep up with her education and improve her health. Angelique’s journey is a powerful testament to her strength and the vital role of community and organizational support in overcoming adversity.

"I had a big pain. It was a really big pain. We went to the clinic and they told us we had to do some exams. They found a tumour and so I had to have an operation on my stomach. I felt very sad and started to cry. I went to the clinic and they did lots of things and I felt better. There were still bits of the tumour so they took them out. They told me I had cancer and then my hair started to fall out and I was very very sad.

When I went to the hospital I felt bad because my little sister wasn't there with me. When I went back home I was happy because I was with all my family.

Now I am happy to be with my family in the house. I don't hurt any more. I feel clean and natural like a normal child. I don't feel a single pain. I am excited to go back to school where I study and learn. All my friends are there and my teacher who teaches the classes. I am excited to brush my hair before school again."

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Oct 30, 2025
Two Remarkable Journeys of Perseverance and Hope

By Robbie Middleton | Padrinos & Becas

As another school year comes to a close here in Guatemala, we’re celebrating something truly special - the graduation of two young women whose courage and determination remind us why we do what we do every single day.

Both Rosa and Margarita have faced more hardship than most of us could imagine, yet today they stand tall, proud, and full of hope. Their stories are a powerful reminder that when compassion meets opportunity, lives are changed forever.

Rosa: Rising Above the Odds

First is Rosa, a resilient 19-year-old, on the cusp of a significant milestone: high school graduation. Her journey, however, has been far from easy. Facing adversity from a young age,

Rosa navigated the challenges of her mother's struggles with drug addiction, followed by the difficult circumstances of living with an abusive sister and a strict aunt who demanded she work instead of going to school.

These hardships threatened to derail her education and future aspirations. Thankfully, the unwavering support of the GOD's CHILD Project and her sponsors provided Rosa with the resources and encouragement she needed to persevere.

Without our intervention, Rosa's dream of finishing school would have remained just that – a dream. Now, as she prepares to graduate, Rosa stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative impact of compassionate support. Her success is a victory for her and a powerful example of what is possible when given a chance.

Margarita: Finding Her Voice in Silence

Margarita, 21, another remarkable graduate, is also celebrating a hard-won victory as she prepares to finish high school this month. Facing significant challenges from birth, Margarita's journey has been marked by the daily hurdles of deafness.

Further compounding these difficulties, her family has struggled financially, relying solely on the income her mother, who is also deaf, earned through immense hardship and sacrifice. Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Margarita has demonstrated extraordinary determination and resilience.

Now, on the verge of graduation, Margarita is ready to pursue her passion: becoming a chef. Her dream is to create delicious food and build a better future for herself.

This aspiration is a testament to her unwavering spirit and her ability to overcome adversity. With the support she has received, Margarita is poised to embark on her culinary journey, ready to turn her dreams into a reality.

A Future Worth Dreaming Of

Graduation isn’t the end of Rosa and Margarita’s stories - it’s the beginning. Rosa hopes to study business or law, and Margarita is ready to begin her culinary studies. These are dreams that once felt out of reach, but with your continued support, they are closer than ever before.

Because of donors like you, The GOD’S CHILD Project can continue walking beside young women like Rosa and Margarita - helping them turn survival into strength, and dreams into reality.

Their journeys remind us that education doesn’t just change lives - it saves them.

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Jul 4, 2025
Bright Futures Start Here: Her Journey of Hope

By Amelia Miller | Communications & Office Manager

Five-year-old Itzayana lives in Jocotenango, Guatemala, in a small, sheet-metal house she shares with her mother, two older brothers, and grandfather.

For the past twelve years, this single-room dwelling - cluttered with discarded electronics and lacking ventilation—has been their rented home. It's hot, crowded, and challenging. But walk through the door, and what you'll see first isn’t hardship - it’s hope.

Despite her surroundings, Itzayana’s spirit shines with joy and determination. She loves pink, rabbits, and art class. Her favorite foods are pizza and chicken. And when she dreams of the future, it’s big - she wants to be a doctor, helping people like the ones who have helped her family.

Her grandfather works long days doing odd jobs - washing cars and cleaning bars - to keep the family afloat on just Q2,900 ($387) a month.

Her two older brothers, José and Aldahir, have both been part of The GOD’S CHILD Project’s sponsorship programs, and now it’s Itzayana’s turn. Inspired by their experiences, she joined our Scholarship Program this May - receiving support, mentorship, and hope through education.

She recently received news that she has a new Godmother sponsoring her - and she’s absolutely thrilled. She's already preparing to send her sponsor a Thanksgiving card filled with color, love, and gratitude.

When asked what she’d do with $1 million, Itzayana said:
“I’d buy pizza and water for my family - and save the rest.”
That’s the heart of this little girl. Generous. Joyful. And full of possibility.

Stories like Itzayana’s remind us why we do this work - and how much your support truly matters. Because when a child is given the chance to learn, to be loved, and to believe in herself, everything changes.

Thank you for helping us build futures full of hope, one child at a time.

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