Education in Guatemala
According to the Global Education Fund, 35% of children in Guatemala are not enrolled in secondary education, only 59% complete lower secondary education (9th grade), and 18% are enrolled in higher education.
"With more than half the population living below the poverty line, many children – especially rural and indigenous children – are forced to drop out of school to help support their families or because they are unable to afford the cost of uniforms, books, supplies and transportation.
In many poor communities, school fees for tuition, textbooks, uniforms and supplies easily consume a substantial percentage of a poor family’s income and result in high drop out from school. Dropout rates are high, especially for girls. Girls particularly are expected to take care of siblings, leave school to help support their family or get married early.” (from globaleducationfund.org)
"With more than half the population living below the poverty line, many children – especially rural and indigenous children – are forced to drop out of school to help support their families or because they are unable to afford the cost of uniforms, books, supplies and transportation.
In many poor communities, school fees for tuition, textbooks, uniforms and supplies easily consume a substantial percentage of a poor family’s income and result in high drop out from school. Dropout rates are high, especially for girls. Girls particularly are expected to take care of siblings, leave school to help support their family or get married early.” (from globaleducationfund.org)
Project VALOR
We saw this happening all too often in Piedra Parada, the community near the city dump. Teens would either never continue onto school after sixth grade, or they would start middle school and then drop out because their families could not afford the school expenses. There is not a secondary school in walking distance, so families have to pay for bus fees as well as the additional school expenses (like uniforms, utensils, etc.). But most families in the area we work cannot afford it all, and as a result the students would stop going to school after they graduate elementary school and could only get very low-paying jobs.
We knew, however, that with a little bit of help, these teens could complete their schooling, gain better jobs, help their family, and end this cycle of generational poverty. So in January of 2016, we started Project VALOR, a sponsorship program that gives them the opportunity to continue on through middle and high school.
Project VALOR provides sponsorships for these children to go to school by helping parents be able to cover these start of year expenses & regular travel & school costs, but also by providing a tutoring program where the teens can access the resources and extra tuition they need. They also have the opportunity each week to encourage the teens and remind them that they are smart, important, valued, loved, and capable— something that several of them do not hear at home. Most importantly the team lead devotional activities with teens each week to help them in discipleship.
We knew, however, that with a little bit of help, these teens could complete their schooling, gain better jobs, help their family, and end this cycle of generational poverty. So in January of 2016, we started Project VALOR, a sponsorship program that gives them the opportunity to continue on through middle and high school.
Project VALOR provides sponsorships for these children to go to school by helping parents be able to cover these start of year expenses & regular travel & school costs, but also by providing a tutoring program where the teens can access the resources and extra tuition they need. They also have the opportunity each week to encourage the teens and remind them that they are smart, important, valued, loved, and capable— something that several of them do not hear at home. Most importantly the team lead devotional activities with teens each week to help them in discipleship.
God's Faithfulness
This ministry has been a shining example of God's faithfulness, provision, and love for His children.
In 2016, 5 students enrolled in the program but by the second year there were already 16 who hoped to be a part of it, then it was 18, then 20, and each year the program has grown. 2023 started with 40 students receiving scholarships!
God provided and continues to provide. He's a good Father, and He loves to move mountains for His children! If we just put our trust in Him, He will not fail us. With Him we stand on solid ground.- if we stand firm on His promises we will not be shaken!
In 2016, 5 students enrolled in the program but by the second year there were already 16 who hoped to be a part of it, then it was 18, then 20, and each year the program has grown. 2023 started with 40 students receiving scholarships!
God provided and continues to provide. He's a good Father, and He loves to move mountains for His children! If we just put our trust in Him, He will not fail us. With Him we stand on solid ground.- if we stand firm on His promises we will not be shaken!
The Meaning Behind "Project VALOR"
VALOR is the Spanish word for value.
We want these teens to know their value in Christ. We want them to see themselves as Christ sees them: beloved, strong, worthy.
The V stands for Victory in Christ.
We hope and pray these students receive and proclaim victory in their lives through Christ.
The A stands for Academics.
Education is a crucial part of stopping the cycle of poverty. Through their sponsors, these children are able to continue their academic education. The tutoring program also gives them the academic support they need to do well.
The L stands for Love.
We want more than anything for these children and teens to feel loved-- loved by God and loved by us. We want them to understand and experience the selfless and unconditional love that God has for them.
The O stands for Opportunity.
We want the students to have opportunities that they wouldn't have had otherwise. The opportunity to go to school, the opportunity to get academic support, the opportunity to learn about Jesus, and the opportunity to bring Christ's love to others.
The R stands for Readiness.
We hope and pray that this program will equip these students with what they need to be ready for their future. We pray they are prepared academically, but more importantly, we pray they understand and live out Ephesians 6:10-17:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
We want these teens to know their value in Christ. We want them to see themselves as Christ sees them: beloved, strong, worthy.
The V stands for Victory in Christ.
We hope and pray these students receive and proclaim victory in their lives through Christ.
The A stands for Academics.
Education is a crucial part of stopping the cycle of poverty. Through their sponsors, these children are able to continue their academic education. The tutoring program also gives them the academic support they need to do well.
The L stands for Love.
We want more than anything for these children and teens to feel loved-- loved by God and loved by us. We want them to understand and experience the selfless and unconditional love that God has for them.
The O stands for Opportunity.
We want the students to have opportunities that they wouldn't have had otherwise. The opportunity to go to school, the opportunity to get academic support, the opportunity to learn about Jesus, and the opportunity to bring Christ's love to others.
The R stands for Readiness.
We hope and pray that this program will equip these students with what they need to be ready for their future. We pray they are prepared academically, but more importantly, we pray they understand and live out Ephesians 6:10-17:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Words from some students to their sponsors
"Thank you for allowing me to be somebody in life."
"I promise to make the most of this help."
"My family and I are very grateful."
"Thanks to your support, I am shaping my future that I have ahead of me,
your help has been very useful in my life, you will always be present in my mind and heart."
"Your help has already been a great blessing to my life, and because of this,
I will be able to make many goals in my life with the help of God and you."
"I always pray to God for you, that you will always be well."
"I promise to make the most of this help."
"My family and I are very grateful."
"Thanks to your support, I am shaping my future that I have ahead of me,
your help has been very useful in my life, you will always be present in my mind and heart."
"Your help has already been a great blessing to my life, and because of this,
I will be able to make many goals in my life with the help of God and you."
"I always pray to God for you, that you will always be well."