Guatemala City, Guatemala — September 24, 2025 — The Judicial Branch of the Republic of Guatemala and Kids Alive Guatemala (known within the country as Vida Para Niños), have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will transform how children and young adults experience the country’s justice system.
This five-year agreement makes Guatemala’s Supreme Court an official partner in creating child-friendly court environments, training judges and staff in trauma-informed approaches, and strengthening restorative justice practices that promote healing, dignity, and long-term well-being.
Rosalva Alvarado, National Director of Kids Alive Guatemala (Vida Para Niños), shared at the signing event:
“Today we join with enthusiasm and hope to sign this letter of understanding, which represents a firm step towards strengthening specialized courts. With this signature we consolidate a mutual commitment of cooperation and companionship for the next five years. Our desire is to continue as strategic allies, ensuring that children and young adults are accompanied with respect and dignity during their court processes, and are seen as subjects of rights with the same value and love that God sees them.” 
For Kids Alive International, the agreement represents both a validation of years of collaboration and a breakthrough for systemic change.
“This Memorandum of Understanding marks a historic step forward for child protection in Guatemala,” said Corbey Dukes, CEO of Kids Alive International. “The Supreme Court’s commitment to partner with Kids Alive Guatemala reflects a shared vision: that children and families who have suffered harm deserve not only justice, but healing. By creating child-friendly spaces, training judicial personnel in trauma-informed approaches, and strengthening restorative systems, this agreement lays the foundation for justice that truly heals.” 
Years in the Making
The agreement is the culmination of more than 16 years of Kids Alive Guatemala’s faithful collaboration with local courts. What began with a request from a single judge to make his court more child-friendly grew steadily as higher levels of leadership became involved, until the Supreme Court itself advocated for this national partnership.
Few NGOs worldwide hold formal agreements with a national Supreme Court. This recognition underscores Kids Alive’s credibility as a trusted partner in both direct care and systemic transformation.
Why It Matters: From Safe Spaces for Children to Safe Spaces for Families
Children who must testify in court often face intimidating settings such as sterile spaces, armed guards, or even the presence of those who harmed them. Through this MOU, Kids Alive Guatemala will provide safe, welcoming environments for children, along with supportive accompaniment that allows them to share their stories without further trauma.
But the vision goes further. Kids Alive believes true transformation happens not only when children are protected, but when entire families are strengthened and supported through the justice process. The organization hopes to expand the “child safe spaces” model into family safe spaces, where parents and caregivers can also experience dignity, reconciliation where possible, and hope for restoration.
By working across both criminal courts, where children testify as victims, and family courts, where custody and reunification decisions are made, this initiative seeks to create lasting systemic change. It will help transform the justice process into one that fosters healing, nurtures families, and restores communities.
Storytelling the Change
To capture the human impact of this work, Kids Alive has released two powerful video stories that bring these experiences to life:
These video stories illustrate the heart of this agreement: that justice should not deepen wounds, but instead open doors to healing for children and families alike.
Global Alignment: “Justice that Heals”
This agreement directly advances Kids Alive’s global focus on Justice that Heals, rooted in Amos 5:15’s call to “hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the courts.” By embedding trauma-informed, restorative practices in Guatemala’s justice system, the MOU represents not only protection for today’s children and families but hope for generations to come.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global non-profit dedicated to protecting children, strengthening families, and advocating for justice. With a presence in seven countries, Kids Alive provides holistic care that addresses not only immediate needs like safety, education, and health, but also the deeper wounds of trauma and sexual abuse.
In Guatemala, the ministry operates under the name Vida Para Niños and is recognized for its leadership in trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and advocacy for children who have suffered sexual abuse or other forms of violence. Through safe homes, foster family programs, counseling, and legal accompaniment, Kids Alive ensures that children are not revictimized by the systems meant to protect them.
The organization is committed to advancing systemic change by working with courts, governments, and local partners to embed “Justice that Heals” into legal processes. This includes creating safe spaces within court systems, training judicial personnel in child-sensitive practices, and walking with families as they pursue reconciliation and restoration.
Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity. Kids Alive International is devoted to making that a reality, combining compassionate care with courageous advocacy to defend the most vulnerable and restore hope for future generations.
Media & Social Links
Photos and social media coverage from the signing ceremony can be viewed via the Judicial Branch of Guatemala:
Inspired to be part of this movement for justice that heals? Learn more and explore ways to get involved at www.kidsalive.org/ways-to-give.
