Connect girls with a mentor for a brighter future

At Wonder, we recognise that simply providing access to resources is not enough. Mentoring can help improve school attendance and overcome certain gender-specific barriers to education. A mentor can guide girls like Nathalee, a 15-year-old student at Colegio Junkabal in Guatemala, through challenges, help them develop problem-solving skills, and connect them to new people and opportunities.

Junkabal helps families living in poverty in Guatemala City’s largest rubbish dump by providing education for girls, and vocational training for women. Nathalee comes from the rubbish dump area and doesn’t know where she would be without her schooling.

Since joining Junkabal, Nathalee says “I have learned so many things that have helped me do well academically”. This includes basic skills such as grammar and writing, along with life skills like cooking, budgeting, and communicating well with others.

“I am proud that I develop my skills to the fullest… to truly know my passions, and things that will serve me for life.”

Mentoring is a strong component of a student’s journey in Junakbal. When describing her mentor, Nathalee says:

“She helped me a lot by explaining to me in the best way each of the topics that correspond to my stages of growth and preparing my character for any problems I face.”

At a young age, Nathalee aspired to become a veterinarian. She now plans to go to university once she finishes her studies and pursue a chemical engineering degree.

“I have changed my dreams a lot, because Colegio Junkabal has helped me open my mind and really know what I like and what I am good at”, she says.

“Thank you very much for giving me the happiness of receiving the scholarship from the school.”