Trauma-informed care and onsite education boosted

“More than ever this year, I am grateful to God for allowing me to study here at Oasis. I have all my school supplies – backpack and uniform as well as teachers who are helping me learn new things. I never wanted to study before, but now that I am in school, I want to learn more. I want to become a lawyer.” – Amelia, 15

New Year starts with a new school year here in Guatemala. Our residential program school resumed in January with a new educational coordinator and additional teachers to enhance the onsite teaching program.

We are delighted to have Xiomara Monroy as our new Education Coordinator. A certified early childhood development psychologist, she is also an experienced administrator. Her presence raises the support for trauma-informed care for the girls in our Oasis and La Arquilla programs.

Due to the challenges posed by the pandemic, we have decided that all students will study on our Oasis campus. To support this initiative, the Guatemalan education department stepped forward to assign four teachers – one for special education, two for middle, and one for primary school.

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This year we have enrolled 37 students in the 13-18 age group. The majority of the students will be finishing a significant portion of their studies this year as they strive toward graduating*. Four of the students will pursue high school and participate in an online work-study program.

Kids Alive Guatemala continues to strengthen the Pre-Independence program for 15-17-year-old girls at Casa Ester. To support this, we are laying a strong foundation, instilling related values and principles from an early age to move the girls toward autonomy and independence.

This year, Joanne Lara, Residential Coordinator, is especially excited to implement the Montessori program to further develop our early childhood education. We are delighted, as this will be the first time that the youngest in our care, ages 3-6, will be formally studying in Pre-K.

Kids Alive Guatemala is grateful for the support of Walker Center, an occupational therapy facility, that provides therapy to children under the age of six coping with developmental delays caused by malnutrition, abuse, and neglect.

Our holistic care is driven by Luke 2:52, which reminds us, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” We support children in our care by creating space for formal and informal education, and learning experiences that will provide girls with greater opportunities today and in the future.

*Under Guatemala’s educational system, 9th graders “graduate” and then branch out to pursue either technical training or pre-university courses.

“I am grateful to God for the privilege of having an education. Last year everything changed because of the pandemic and we couldn’t go to class in person. This year is different as we have teachers who are present on the site and can explain things to us better. I hope to take advantage of every class and finish the year well and improve in my studies.” – Eva, 17

Please pray for

Victor, our new Country Director, that he would lead with wisdom and grace.
More mentors and foster families to step forward to invest in our children.
Our staff, as we read through the book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, that we would become healthy vessels of Christ’s love and agents of God’s grace.
The children soon to be restored to their families, for their patience and readiness, as well as their families’ preparedness to have them home.
Favor in the court system with judges and child caseworkers.
Internships and job opportunities for our girls at Casa Ester, so they can have a positive work experience under kind, gracious supervisors with strong teaching and mentoring skills.
Peace amidst all the change and transition at Kids Alive Guatemala.

Backpack still on, a young student looks through the window at the schoolyard. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, Oasis has increased its teaching capacity to provide on-site schooling for all our students.

Joanne (left), Director of Oasis Residential, presents her new teaching team to Kids Alive staff. Pictured second from left to right – Mariana, 7th-9th grade teacher, Katherine, 4th-6th grade teacher, Lueyly, Nursery Coordinator, and Xiomara, Educational Psychologist.

The kids are so in love with their colorful new backpacks that they reluctantly set them down only for the team-building games. Our thanks to those who provided these backpacks!

Team-building activities kick off the school year, helping reduce the anxiety of being in a new situation. Teachers break kids into small groups for ice-breaker games and other activities.

A new school year means new opportunities and for some children their first opportunity to learn in a real classroom setting. These young ladies are embracing the new year with great expectation.

A book, blue skies, and the shade of a tree, a perfect combination to relax after the first week of school. The home in the background accommodates up to 10 girls.

Young ladies in middle school learn the traditional Guatemalan skill of embroidery, beginning by hemming the fabric’s edges. The next step will be to embroider something simple like their name.

Some children refused to part with their new possession even during games and played with backpacks on their backs! The team games broke the ice, and the students were all smiles and hugs.

Meaningful learning happens at all ages at Oasis. A young lady from Casa Ester works with a toddler in the nursery sorting colors and shapes.

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