Escuintla Care Center

Escuintla | Guatemala

The Escuintla Families Together Care Center provides comprehensive care to girls, mostly teenagers, who are victims of sexual violence. As in most cities in Guatemala, the majority of sexual crimes against children here go unreported and unpunished. The girls who come to us for help have been referred to our program by a judge, and we offer them physical, psychological, spiritual, and legal support. read more »

 

Escuintla
Escuintla
Escuintla
Mom with baby cropped

The Face of Hope at Escuintla

Anna* grew up in extreme poverty, unable to attend school because her family needed her help at home with younger siblings. Last year, she was walking through corn fields as she did every day during her errands, when a man grabbed her, took her deep into the fields, and raped her. Her family was devastated and knew that because the man was not identified, she was still at risk. So they reported the rape to authorities and were referred to our Care Center in Escuintla.

It has been amazing to watch what God has done in Anna’s life through our team. While helping her heal from the trauma of rape, a resulting pregnancy, and the criminal process, we fought for her right to an education. Her father finally agreed to let her study, but she was rejected by the school, as “her type” (child-mothers) would be disruptive. At the same time, Anna gave birth to a son with physical disabilities. To facilitate care for her baby and get Anna enrolled in a school, our team worked with the family so she could live for a time with an aunt, who lived near a welcoming school and medical care.

Anna has grown confident in school and we are so proud to report that she made the 5th grade honor roll! She deeply loves her son and has become a responsible mother and student, all while working to heal from the trauma she endured. Our team hasn’t stopped fighting for justice on her behalf. We continue working to give Anne and her son the best chance to succeed, and we look forward in hope to reuniting the family when it is safe and wise to do so. Even in the midst of tragedy, God is at work healing the hearts of precious children.

*name and photo changed to protect privacy

Partner with Escuintla

Site Partnership allows for services that reach beyond the basics of what Child Sponsorship provides, supplying resources for trauma training and therapy, nutritionists, social workers, educational counselors, discipleships, and more.

Escuintla makes a difference!

Poverty and violence are often intertwined with systematic injustice. Our primary work at Escuintla Care Center is focused on rescuing and restoring young victims of sexual abuse placed in our care by judges. Sexual abuse and exploitation are common here, and the vast majority of perpetrators go unpunished. Not only is Kids Alive committed to helping these precious girls heal from traumatic abuse, but we are also driven to seek justice on their behalf, partnering with the Guatemalan government and International Justice Mission to make systematic improvements so that all children are treated more justly.

Through His work in our staff, God has allowed us to be innovators in foster care, family reintegration, and comprehensive care for victims of sexual violence.

How Kids Alive Cares for the Children

Rescuing Children

  • Caring for orphans and children in family-style settings
  • Providing Christian caregivers
  • Addressing physical, spiritual, and emotional needs

Giving the Gift of Education

  • Meeting individualized academic needs
  • Providing educational guidance
  • Encouraging secondary education and vocational training

Strengthening Communities

  • Meeting community needs to build strong ties
  • Addressing health care and disease prevention
  • Creating micro-enterprise solutions for economic development