Breaking the Cycle: How One Small School in San Andrés Itzapa
Is Changing the Future for Guatemala’s Children
In the rural highlands of Guatemala, many young children are already facing an uphill battle before they ever set foot in a classroom. In towns like San Andrés Itzapa, most children are simply not prepared to begin primary school. And without intervention, the outcome is heartbreakingly predictable—most will drop out by the age of twelve. Today, only 36% of Guatemalan children complete primary school.
The barriers to education here are deep-rooted and complex. Although Guatemala is home to around 20 distinct Mayan languages, the majority of public schools teach only in Spanish. For many Mayan children in San Andrés Itzapa, Spanish is not their primary language. The result? They start school already behind—and many never catch up. Among Mayan students who aren’t fluent in Spanish, nearly 30% are forced to repeat a grade.
Then there’s the invisible but powerful weight of tradition. Out of the two million Guatemalan children who don’t attend school, the majority are Mayan girls living in rural areas. In many of these families, cultural norms still confine women and girls to domestic roles. Only 39% of Mayan women are literate. And nearly one in four Mayan girls will never set foot in a classroom.
A Safe Haven for Learning—and for Hope
In the face of these challenges, Niños Creadores de Historia is rewriting the story.
The school provides daily supplemental support to at-risk first and second graders—children who would otherwise fall through the cracks. One of the school’s most powerful successes is the fact that nearly half of its students are Mayan girls.
For many of these young girls, this is their first real opportunity to learn, to dream, and to imagine a future beyond household chores and early motherhood. The school offers more than academics—it’s a safe haven that nurtures confidence, curiosity, and hope.
Nourishment for the Body and Mind
Guatemala has one of the highest rates of chronic child malnutrition in the world. But thanks to the vision and dedication of Deacon Phyllis, a healthy lunch is a part of every school day. Despite working with a food budget of less than $1,000 a month, the school’s small kitchen turns out nearly 1,000 hot, nutritious lunches every month.
For many students, this may be the only real meal they eat all day. But it’s not just about food—it’s about dignity, health, and the ability to concentrate and thrive in the classroom.
Be Part of the Story
Helping Guatemalan children succeed in school is no small task—but Niños Creadores de Historia is proving that it can be done, one child at a time. The school operates on a shoestring budget and relies on donations to keep its doors open and its pots boiling.
Your recurring monthly gift can help sustain and expand this life-changing work. With your support, Niños Creadores de Historia can continue to offer education, nourishment, and hope to the children who need it most.
Let’s change the ending to their stories—together.