Welcome to our News & Updates page. Here we share school news, milestones, and stories from our community.

Why high school

Why Finishing School in Guatemala Changes Everything

For children in Guatemala, finishing high school is one of the clearest predictors of lifelong economic stability. A student who completes only primary school earns the equivalent of $250–$300 a month in informal work, while those who finish high school often earn two or three times that amount. In a country where families survive on the narrowest of margins, that difference can determine whether a household lives with a measure of stability or remains in constant vulnerability. In Guatemala, a diploma is not just a milestone; it is an economic lifeline that shapes a family’s future for generations.

But statistics from another country don’t always land emotionally, so consider this: imagine living in the United States on the average income of an adult who never finished high school — about $680 a week — and trying to raise a family the size of an average Guatemalan household. Imagine stretching that paycheck to feed five people, cover rent, transportation, medical care, clothing, and every unexpected expense that arrives without warning. And then imagine doing it without the social supports Americans rely on in hard times — no meaningful unemployment benefits, no food assistance programs, and only limited public healthcare. Suddenly every car repair, every illness, every lost day of work becomes a crisis you may never fully recover from.

That is the economic reality in Guatemala when a child leaves school early — and that financial insecurity follows one generation to the next. When a child stays in school and graduates, that trajectory shifts. The family’s future expands, options appear, hope grows. The difference is that stark, that simple, and that lifelong.

When we invest in a child’s education, we help build a world where opportunity is stronger than hardship. And this is why All Saints’ support of Niños Creadores de Historia is so important.

book box project

How the Program Works

The program begins with volunteers in the United States who source Spanish-language children’s books from various sources. The books are carefully sorted into two main categories: those best suited for individual children and those more appropriate for teachers and schools.

Once sorted, the books are packed into sturdy boxes. Each box weighs between 200 and 300 pounds and holds about 500 books. After packing, a local shipping partner loads the boxes onto container ships bound for Guatemala. Following a month-long journey, the boxes arrive in the small town of San Andrés Itzapa.

From there, the books are delivered directly to the community. Some are shared with neighborhood schools, and many are gifted to students so they can begin building their own personal libraries at home. For many children, this is the very first book they have ever owned.

The Impact So Far

The feedback from teachers and families has been inspiring. Teachers report that students are more engaged during reading activities, while parents share that their children are thrilled to bring books home.

Perhaps most importantly, children are developing a genuine love for reading—something that will carry them throughout their education. With stronger literacy skills, they have a far greater chance of staying in school, completing their studies, and building brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

How You Can Help

This work is only possible thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers. Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

• Donate Books: If you have gently used or new Spanish-language children’s books, consider donating them. Every book matters.
• Give Financial Support: Overseas shipping is costly. Your contributions help cover expenses and allow us to continue delivering books.
• Spread the Word: Share this project with friends, schools, and community groups. Awareness leads to action, and action changes lives.

A Brighter Future, One Book at a Time

Education is the key to breaking cycles of poverty, and literacy is at the heart of education. When you put a book into a child’s hands, you are giving far more than a story—you are giving a child the tools to dream, to learn, and to succeed. Education is the key to br

a community school

A Community-Engaged and Donor-Supported School Created to Break the Cycle of Poverty Through Education.

San Andrés Itzapa is a small, predominantly Indigenous town located in the highlands of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Home to around 35,000 residents, the majority of whom are Kaqchikel Maya, and many continue to speak Kaqchikel as their first language. While Spanish is used in schools and official settings, language barriers often hinder children’s learning, especially in the early grades.

Economically, San Andrés faces significant challenges. Most families earn less than $2–3 a day through subsistence farming, informal labor, or small-scale trade, placing them below the international poverty line. Annual household income typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 USD, with some families relying on remittances from relatives working abroad. Educational attainment is low, with many children not completing primary school. Fewer than 15% go on to finish high school, and only a small fraction pursue higher education. High dropout rates are linked to poverty, inadequate resources, and language difficulties.

Despite these obstacles, the community remains rich in culture, resilience, and family bonds. Organizations like Niños Creadores de Historia play a vital role by supporting students in their early school years, giving them a real chance to succeed in education and break the cycle of poverty.

A LITTLE MONEY MAKES A BIG IMPACT

How to Change Young Lives

IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
In Guatemala, a little truly goes a long way. Just the cost of your lunch here in the U.S. can keep the lights on at Niños Creadores de Historia for an entire month. That’s the kind of meaningful impact your donation can have.

YOUR GIFT DOES MORE THAN SUPPORT A SCHOOL—IT LIFTS A COMMUNITY
When you support Niños Creadores de Historia, you’re not only helping a child learn to read and write—you’re helping break the cycle of poverty in an entire community. Education empowers children to dream bigger, earn more, and one day provide a better life for their own families. That’s the power of your generosity.

YOU’RE NOT JUST DONATING MONEY—YOU’RE GIVING HOPE
Picture a young child, sitting in a modest classroom, beaming with the knowledge that someone, somewhere in the world, believes in them. Your donation is more than dollars—it’s a message of hope and encouragement to a child who needs it most.

A CHANCE TO SEE THE WORLD THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS
Supporting this small school in San Andrés Itzapa offers something else in return: perspective. It opens your heart to the realities faced by children in Guatemala and across the developing world—and reminds us all just how far kindness can go.

Here’s how your donation can change lives:

• Covers the school’s electricity for a month – $35.00
• Pays the monthly rent for the school building – $100.00
• Ships a container of school supplies from the U.S. to Guatemala – $265.00
• Funds an entire month of staff and instructor salaries – $1,075.00
• Provides 1,000 nutritious lunches to hungry students – $775.00

Will you be the reason a child smiles today?
Support Niños Creadores de Historia—and help write a better future, one child at a time.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

admin

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.

WE HAVE A BOX TO FILL

How a Box of Crayons Travels 2,000 Miles:
Getting Supplies to the Children of San Andrés Itzapa

At Niños Creadores de Historia, every crayon, notebook, and pair of child-safe scissors tells a bigger story. These aren’t just school supplies. They are tools of transformation, helping children in rural Guatemala build skills, confidence, and a brighter future.

But getting supplies into the hands of students in San Andrés Itzapa isn’t as easy as a trip to the store. Many essential items are either unavailable locally or too expensive.  That’s where our supporters in the U.S. come in, dedicated volunteers and mission partners collect, store, and prepare supplies for shipment.

Once enough supplies are gathered to fill one of our large cardboard shipping containers — each one holding 18 cubic feet of school supplies — the container is packed and picked up by a trusted Fort Lauderdale-based shipping company. These shipments are fully insured and handled with care, arriving at the school in about 30 days.

Shipping to Guatemala doesn’t come cheap. Each container costs over $300 to send, and security is always a concern. That’s why we rely only on trusted, insured shippers who can ensure our cargo makes it safely to its destination.

“Sometimes it’s just a box of pencils, but to our students, it’s the start of learning how to write their names. It’s dignity. It’s joy,” says Deacon Phyllis. “Every donated item, every shipment — it’s a small miracle.”

We invite you to be part of that miracle. Your donation helps cover the cost of shipping supplies that directly support the education of vulnerable first and second graders — children who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the public school system.

With your help, Niños Creadores de Historia can continue doing what it does best: equipping young learners with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.

Donate today. Help us turn school supplies into stepping stones for a better tomorrow for these children.

POORLY EDUCATED IN GUATEMALA

Help Break the Cycle:
Why Education in Guatemala Desperately Needs Your Support

In Guatemala, education is supposed to be a right — but for too many children, it’s a privilege they can’t afford.

Although six years of primary school are mandatory, fewer than 60% of Guatemalans over age 15 are functionally literate. Only 36% of students finish primary school. Just 12% complete high school. And a mere 4% earn a university degree. These numbers aren’t just statistics — they represent millions of children growing up without the tools they need to build a better future.

The Inequality Is Stark — and Deeply Rooted

Access to education in Guatemala is not equal. On average, Guatemalans receive just six years of schooling. But for Indigenous children — mostly of Mayan heritage and living in remote rural communities — that number drops to only three years.

Why? Because many of these children enter school without knowing Spanish, the only language most public schools use. Because public schools are chronically underfunded. And because poverty forces heartbreaking choices.

One of the Lowest Education Investments in the World

Guatemala ranks among the lowest countries globally in education spending. In 2007, the government devoted less than 2% of its GDP to education, and less than half of that reached primary schools.

Families are left to pay for everything: school uniforms, books, supplies, and transportation. For parents already struggling to feed their families, these costs are simply out of reach.

Children Forced to Leave School Too Soon

More than half of Guatemalans live below the poverty line. In families with six or more children — which is common — older siblings often drop out of school by age twelve to work and help support the household.

For these children, education isn’t just interrupted — it’s cut short. And with it, their future opportunities disappear.

The Generational Cycle of Poverty

John Edwards of Tulane University sums it up clearly: “Schooling is the most significant determinant of a Guatemalan child’s potential income, and that child’s parent’s income and education are the most significant determinants of that child’s schooling.”

In other words, a child born into poverty — especially in an Indigenous, rural community — is overwhelmingly likely to remain there unless someone steps in.

That Someone Could Be You

At Niños Creadores de Historia (“Children Create History”), we believe that every child deserves a chance — not just to survive, but to thrive. We support vulnerable first- and second-graders in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala — children who are already falling behind in the earliest grades, where dropout risk is highest.

We work directly with local public schools to identify children in need and provide them with the academic and emotional support to succeed. Our model is simple: keep kids in school, give them the tools to learn, and help them build confidence — all while respecting and honoring their culture and language.

But We Can’t Do It Without You

Your donation can directly impact a child’s future. Just $20 can provide school supplies. $50 can help fund a month of tutoring. Larger gifts help us expand our reach, train more educators, and provide holistic support to even more families.

Education is the most powerful tool we have to break the cycle of poverty. With your help, we can make sure that children in Guatemala don’t fall through the cracks — but instead rise to create their own future.

Together, we can rewrite the story — one child at a time.

Until the cycle of poor education is broken in Guatemala, poverty and illiteracy will beget poverty and illiteracy for generations to come.

A SCHOOL WITH FEW BOOKS

A Simple Request:
Spanish-Language Children’s Books

During our mission trip to San Andrés Itzapa, our group from All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale had the privilege of spending time with the remarkable students and staff of Niños Creadores de Historia.

As we prepared to say our goodbyes, we asked Deacon Phyllis, who leads the school with quiet determination and unwavering love, what she and the school truly needed—something we could help with even after returning home. At first, she hesitated, ever humble and grateful for what little the school already receives. But with a bit of gentle prodding, she finally shared her wish: children’s books, printed in Spanish.

The request was simple—but powerful.

At the time, Niños Creadores de Historia had only a handful of books appropriate for young readers. As Deacon Phyllis explained, the public schools in the area rely solely on basic didactic textbooks—practical for instruction, perhaps, but not designed to spark joy or imagination. The pleasure of reading, that spark we so often take for granted, is out of reach for many Guatemalan children.

Why? Because books in Guatemala are expensive—often prohibitively so. For most families, purchasing even one children’s book is a luxury. And yet, books can open minds, build literacy, and fuel dreams.

Imagine what a box of colorful, engaging storybooks could mean to a child who’s never owned a book of their own. Imagine a classroom where reading becomes an adventure, not just a requirement.

Let’s help fill the shelves—and hearts—at Niños Creadores de Historia.