A Mission Trip That Changed Hearts and Strengthened Partnerships

In April, eight members and friends from All Saints Episcopal Church traveled to Guatemala for a week-long mission trip centered on partnership, service, faith, and cultural immersion. Their time in San Andrés Itzapa offered an opportunity to work alongside the school community, build relationships, and experience the mission of Children Create History firsthand.

Why First Grade Can Shape a Child’s Future

For millions of children in developing countries, simply attending school does not guarantee an education. Poverty, overcrowded classrooms, language barriers, hunger, and limited access to books and supplies can cause children to fall behind during their earliest years in school.

Children Create History focuses on first- and second-grade students because these early years can shape a child’s entire educational future. By providing individualized academic support, books, encouragement, and a nutritious daily meal, the school helps children build the skills and confidence they need to continue learning.

Why Finishing High School in Guatemala Matters

For children in Guatemala, staying in school can profoundly affect their future economic stability. Completing an education can open the door to better employment, greater financial security, and opportunities that extend beyond the individual student to their family.

When children leave school early, poverty and limited educational opportunity can reinforce one another across generations. Helping children build a strong educational foundation gives them a better chance to stay in school, graduate, and create a more secure future.

book box project

The Book Box Project puts Spanish-language children’s books directly into the hands of young readers in Guatemala. More than 5,000 books have already been distributed to schools, teachers, and children, expanding access to books in communities where they can be difficult to obtain.

Each shipment helps put more books within reach of young readers, encouraging reading both in the classroom and at home.

A Community School in San Andrés Itzapa

San Andrés Itzapa is a predominantly Indigenous community in the Guatemalan highlands where many families face significant economic and educational challenges. Language barriers, limited resources, and poverty can make it especially difficult for children to succeed during their earliest years in school.

Children Create History works within this community to give young students additional academic support, books, encouragement, and nutrition, helping them build a stronger foundation for continued education.

Why Monthly Giving Matters to a Small School

For a small school, dependable funding can be just as important as the amount of an individual gift. When many people contribute what they can each month, those gifts combine to help provide academic support, books, school supplies, and daily nutrition throughout the school year.

Monthly giving also allows the school to plan ahead with greater confidence. A modest recurring gift becomes part of a reliable foundation of support, helping teachers and staff focus on what matters most: giving children the opportunity to learn and succeed.

Giving Children a Stronger Start

For children growing up with poverty and limited educational resources, falling behind during the first years of school can have consequences that extend throughout their education.

Children Create History provides first- and second-grade students with supplemental instruction, books, individualized attention, and daily nutrition. By helping children build stronger academic foundations early, the school gives them a better opportunity to remain engaged in their education and build more secure futures.

From South Florida to a Classroom in Guatemala

What does it take to get a children’s book, box of crayons, or package of pencils from South Florida to a classroom in Guatemala? More than you might imagine.

Throughout the year, supporters and volunteers collect Spanish-language books and school supplies that are packed and shipped to San Andrés Itzapa. About a month later, those materials arrive in classrooms and children’s homes, where ordinary supplies become valuable tools for learning.

When Education Is Out of Reach

Poverty and limited educational opportunity can reinforce one another across generations. When children fall behind during their earliest years in school, continuing their education can become increasingly difficult.

Children Create History focuses on first- and second-grade students because early academic support can help change that trajectory. By strengthening fundamental skills, providing books and individual attention, and supporting children’s daily nutrition, the school helps give students a stronger foundation for the years ahead.

A School With Few Books

During a mission trip to San Andrés Itzapa, members of All Saints Episcopal Church asked Deacon Phyllis what the school needed most. Her answer was surprisingly simple: Spanish-language children’s books.

That request became the beginning of the Book Box Project. What started with collecting books for one small school has grown into an ongoing effort that has placed thousands of books into the hands of children, teachers, and schools in Guatemala.