GUATEMALA
Through our 9 ministry programs in Guatemala in 2023:
2,174 children, young adults, and families were served
Meet Madelin
Montessori Program at the CCC in Chimaltenengo, Guatemala
Six-year-old Madelin and her four-year-old brother, Esaú, live in Chimaltenango with their grandparents, Rodolfo and Cecilia. Despite Rodolfo’s hard work as a farmer and Cecilia’s dedication to selling homemade tortillas, they struggled to provide everything their grandchildren needed to thrive. In search of support, Rodolfo reached out to the Community Outreach Center of Chimaltenango (CCC). Recognizing the family’s need, the CCC welcomed Madelin into their Montessori program in early 2023. According to UNICEF, in low-income countries, only one in five children are enrolled in preschool. This early childhood education program provides essential academic and emotional development, along with nutritious meals and basic medical care—a lifeline in a community where most children attend school for fewer than six years. Psychological assessments revealed that Madelin faced significant developmental delays, particularly in language skills, due to the trauma and abuse she endured before living with her grandparents. These challenges hindered her ability to express herself and connect with others.
Thankfully, since joining the Montessori program, Madelin has made remarkable progress. Her teachers worked diligently to build her self-esteem and created a personalized plan to stimulate her language development. Madelin is now communicating more confidently with her peers and teachers, and she is developing important life skills. Her brother Esaú, who now attends the program with her, is also benefiting from this nurturing environment.In 2023, the CCC renovated a second building in Chimaltenango for the Montessori program. This beautiful new space, which opened in 2024, includes outdoor playgrounds, gardens, and bright, open-concept classrooms. Thirteen new students joined the program when the new building opened, and the additional space allows for a 40% increase in total enrollment. Now, even more children like Madelin and Esaú have the opportunity to learn, grow, and heal in a supportive environment.
NEPAL
Through our ministry program in Nepal in 2023:
50 children and families were served
Godawari Education Center, Kathmandu, Nepal
Rati* is in 4th grade and attends the after-school program at the Godawari Education Center in Nepal. She recently suffered the tragic loss of her mother. Her father previously worked as a carpenter, but lost his job and has been working as a day laborer to provide for their family. This is an unpredictable income source, and last year they struggled to have the daily food they needed. This year, thanks to the new family support initiative in Nepal, this family was selected to receive food support and educational support for Rati, helping provide for these crucial necessities in this challenging time.
(*name changed to protect the identity of the child)
UKRAINE
Through our 3 ministry programs in Ukraine in 2023:
5,822 children, young adults, and families were served
Aging Out Program, Dnipro, Ukraine
The Aging Out Program office is a gathering place for young adults who grew up in traditional orphan care. The office is a home base, where meals are cooked and served, movies are watched, birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated, and Bible classes are taught. Each year, the group of young adults travels together to the Carpathian Mountains to enjoy fishing, hiking, and camping—and since 2022, to escape the sound of air raid sirens that are commonplace in their home of Dnipro. The staff continues to provide wraparound emotional support and physical care, both essential as war continues to rage in the country.