Life-changing preschool in Guatemala

This week marked the beginning of a new school year in Guatemala and we welcomed 16 students to the Acorn Childcare Center, with two more in the enrollment process.

The first few weeks at the Center are focused on teaching the children about our resources and routines. After getting a tour of the building, the students spend time in each area, learning how to use and care for the supplies, books, and toys available to them. They are also learning the daily routines and expectations for behavior in each area.

This week we also celebrated our first birthday of the school year with our Center tradition: singing "Feliz Cumpleaños" and sharing a yummy birthday cake. Happy birthday, Emilio!

We know that each child comes to the Center with a unique experience and understanding of what it means to be a part of a classroom. Focusing on routines and expectations early on, and reinforcing them with prompts and encouragement throughout the school year, creates an environment that feels safe, consistent and caring. Thank you for supporting our mission.

Links:

• Read the story with more photos on the blog!

December marks the end of the school year in Guatemala, when we celebrate the Class of 2024 and take a holiday for Christmas and New Year. At our year-end gathering earlier this month, your support allowed us to celebrate all that our students and their families accomplished this year, with music, dancing, food and games!

We graduated 4 children who will move on to primary school next year while the remaining 13 will return after the holiday break to start a new year at the Center. We are proud of all they've done this year and we are grateful for your support to make it happen! We had special celebrations for our graduates:

• Luna, who started at the Center when she was just 2, especially loved to help the younger children and play mother in the playroom
• Aliz, an only child who always wanted to be the center of attention, learned to enjoy sharing and loved playing chef for her classmates
• Jiménez, who had been cared for by an elderly grandmother especially loved playing with classmates and completing schoolwork
• Ian, who was struggling with poor respiratory health but the excellent nutrition, medical attention and healthy environment at the Center helped to build his immune system, making him more resilient

Your support also allowed us to provide traditional canastas navideñas (Christmas gift baskets) for each family to take home. This tradition ensures that our families have the basic food supplies to be able to celebrate Christmas together. Thank you!

Links:

• Read the full story with more photos on the blog: