UNICEF estimates that are over 370,000 orphans in Guatemala. Many of these children come from families facing tremendous poverty; 70 percent of people in Guatemala live below the poverty level. Orphan Outreach serves children in extreme poverty situations in Guatemala by partnering with local orphanages, churches, and Christian schools. We make it a priority to work alongside Guatemalan nationals as they serve their own children. Orphan Outreach provides support and brings mission teams to our programs in Guatemala. Read below to learn more about our programs..
Good Shepherd Christian Academy, [Santiago]
Panabaj is a small village on Lake Atitlan, just outside the city of Santiago. On October 4, 2005, torrential rains from Hurricane Stan caused massive mud slides down the face of the volcano next to the village. Over 1,000 people died and the village was buried under volcanic mud, rock and debris. Now, the families’ remaining live in temporary housing in a field adjacent to the village as it is slowly being rebuilt. These families are in extreme poverty and most of the children do not go to school.
In the midst of this tragedy, a Baptist pastor who grew up in this community has taken a leadership role in helping minister to those affected by the crisis. Pastor Diego partnered with Orphan Outreach to create a private Christian school (Good Shepherd Christian Academy) next to his church El Buen Pastor to meet the needs of many of the children who do not have access to education. The school opened its doors in January 2009 as a preschool and elementary (Kindergarten, Prepa, First and Second) with approximately 120 students and has grow quickly to serve children through the 6th grade and has close to 200 students.
Orphan Outreach provides sponsorships (including scholarships, uniform, supplies and transportation) for 38 children affected from the mudslide devastation to attend Good Shepherd Christian Academy. Short term mission teams have traveled to Santiago to work with the children at the school, provide Christmas and medical clinics for the families that live in extreme poverty near Panabaj. Orphan Outreach also supports a church outreach of Pastor Diego in the village of Cerro de Oro. Short term mission teams have visited Cerro de Oro to build homes and engage in evangelism.
Little House of Refuge Orphanage: Casa Hogar mi Pequeno Refugio, [Xela]
Late in 2009, Orphan Outreach began partnering with Little House of Refuge, a privately run orphanage located thirty minutes outside of Xela, Guatemala’s second-largest city. Little House is the fruit of sacrifice—the result of one couple from Mexico, Ciro and Maria Teresa Murguia, and their willingness to sacrifice their own comfort and security for the sake of children who needed a home.
After retirement the couple sold their possessions and moved to Guatemala’s western highlands, a coffee-growing region. They bought land, built a building, and took in abandoned children who had nowhere else to go. Today the couple’s two daughters, Lourdes and Teresa, carry on the work of caring for 50 - 60 children, ages 4 and up. Serving Christ in countless acts of service, the two women are model multi-taskers. In addition to providing a loving home for all of the children, the orphanage property houses a school for the children.
Orphan Outreach provides monthly sponsorship of all of the children at Little House and provides funding for teachers, school supplies and other urgent needs. Short term mission teams have been involved in many activities including teaching skills to the children and helping with painting, construction, education and other needs of the orphanage.
My Special Treasure: Mi Especial Tosoro [Chimaltenango]
“Mi Especial Tesoro” is an oasis of God’s love and peace in the barren town of Chimaltenango that is known for prostitution and alcoholism. “My Special Treasure” is dedicated to rescuing girls that are on the street and at high risk from extreme poverty. The home provides protection, education, health care and the teaching of the word of God. Currently the home is being run by a missionary couple and their family and houses 12 girls. Orphan Outreach has developed a partnership with the home and offers monthly sponsorship of the children. Short term mission teams have helped with physical and spiritual needs at the home.
You Can Get Involved
Travel on a Mission Trip
Your commitment to travel with Orphan Outreach allows the children we serve to know they are not forgotten. In ministering to these children you become the hands and feet of Christ and profoundly impact their lives as well as your own.
Your financial gifts to Orphan Outreach will help meet the physical, spiritual, and educational needs of children living in orphanages and substandard situations around the world.
Infant Mortality Rate total:
29.77 deaths/1,000 live births
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Population below poverty line: 56.2% (2004)
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Est. # people living with HIV/AIDS:
61,000; 0.9% adult (15-49) prevalence rate (2005)
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Unemployment rate: 3.2% (2005)
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Literacy Rate (age 15 + can read & write):
69.1% total population
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Estimated 370,000 children (0-17)
orphaned (2005)
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Type of Government: Representative democracy
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Language(s): Spanish (60%); Amerindian languages (40%)
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Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, and indigenous Mayan beliefs
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Guatemala is located in Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Caribbean Sea between Honduras and Belize.
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UNICEF estimates that there are more than 370,000 orphans in Guatemala and at least 5,000 children live on the streets of the capital, abandoned by mothers who are too poor to keep them.
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Only 24 percent of the population attends Secondary school (1996-2005).
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Only 58 percent of municipalities have a secondary school.
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Five out of 10 students who enter primary school in urban areas complete primary school, as opposed to only two out of 10 in rural areas.
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Some 67 percent of indigenous children suffer from chronic malnutrition.
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27 percent of all children under 5 are underweight.
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The distribution of income remains highly unequal with about 56% of the population below the poverty line.
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The indigenous population, the Maya, make up about half of the population. Mayan languages are spoken alongside Spanish, the official tongue. Many Guatemalans are of mixed Amerindian-Hispanic origin.
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Guatemalans live in one of the most inequitable societies in the region. Poverty is particularly widespread in the countryside and among indigenous communities. Illiteracy, infant mortality and malnutrition are among the highest in the region, life expectancy is among the lowest and, in common with many of its neighbors, the country is plagued by organized crime and violent street gangs.
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