In the local communities, there are many issues that need to be addressed, one of them being the education of children. We are certain that by providing the children with an opportunity for a solid education, their future will be brighter. Our greatest responsibility is to care for and protect the most vulnerable, but above all give them the opportunity to better their future. For them to be able to do this, education is a vital tool. In these communities, many children who would study do not, due to lack of funds. The system is set up so that the first six years of education is free (this is called Primaro and is the equivalent of primary school), but if you wish to continue to secondary level (Basico as it is called) you have to pay to do so. Should a child wish to further develop their education in a particular field after secondary school it is even more money. Our focus is to give the most impoverished children access to this otherwise inaccessible area of education that we in the Western world are lucky enough to access.
Our Solution
As mentioned before the most wonderful part of travelling to Guatemala with Children of the Lake is that you get to meet your sponsor student, their family, see where they live and where they will be attending school. On the middle Saturday of the trip the group will take a shuttle into the mountains and visit the village of sponsor students. You will also be introduced to Urias who is the driving force behind improving the educational standards in the Lake Atitlan district. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to use your Spanish. After returning back to Australia your sponsor student will write regular letters to you updating you of their progress. Children of the Lake will also keep a updated profile of the student online for you to view, including photos and copies of their report cards. You will be well informed of the progress of your sponsor child throughout the duration of the sponsorship.
By deciding to travel with Children of the Lake you have not only potentially changed your own life forever but the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children in Guatemala.
Sponsoring a Child without Travelling to Guatemala
If you are unable to commit to a trip to Guatemala but still want to sponsor a student with Children of the Lake it is still possible. The cost is $300 and a commitment of 3 years is required so the student is able to complete their studies. This amount will go to paying for the student's school tuition, their uniforms and any other essential school necessities, such notebooks, textbooks, calculators, pens, etc. Whilst you will be unable to meet the student and their family you will be provided with a complete profile of the child and their current circumstance. Your sponsor student will also write regular letters to you updating you of their progress. Children of the Lake will also keep a updated profile of the student online for you to view, including photos and copies of their report cards. You will be well informed of the progress of your sponsor student throughout the duration of the sponsorship and maybe one day you may consider a trip with Children of the Lake to meet your sponsor student.
We aim to help those students who manage to complete the primary level but are not able to continue on to the Basico due to lack of financial resources. To make sure that our hard work is benefiting those with the greatest need of help, we will select students based on the following criteria:
a) The desire to study
b) Living in extreme poverty
c) Good grades
d) A good reputation within the community
Students who fall into these categories will be considered for sponsorship. At present, only ten of every hundred children go to secondary school, and of those ten only five manage to complete the full three years, let alone move on to further education. Your generosity and goodwill can change these numbers to help us promote this project and give the children of the lake a better chance in life.
An amount of $300 will be used to pay for the sponsorship of a student. This donation will go towards paying for the student's school tuition, their uniforms and other essential school necessities, such notebooks, textbooks, calculators, pens, etc. It is hoped that each person that travels with Children of the Lake would be interested in committing to 3 years of sponsorship so that the student is able to complete their studies for the entire period of their secondary education. Children of the Lake is the best way to sponsor a student because there is total transparency in the distribution of funds. There are no administrative, advertising, or any other hidden costs. You will even receive a spreadsheet of the cost breakdown.
a) The desire to study
b) Living in extreme poverty
c) Good grades
d) A good reputation within the community
Students who fall into these categories will be considered for sponsorship. At present, only ten of every hundred children go to secondary school, and of those ten only five manage to complete the full three years, let alone move on to further education. Your generosity and goodwill can change these numbers to help us promote this project and give the children of the lake a better chance in life.
An amount of $300 will be used to pay for the sponsorship of a student. This donation will go towards paying for the student's school tuition, their uniforms and other essential school necessities, such notebooks, textbooks, calculators, pens, etc. It is hoped that each person that travels with Children of the Lake would be interested in committing to 3 years of sponsorship so that the student is able to complete their studies for the entire period of their secondary education. Children of the Lake is the best way to sponsor a student because there is total transparency in the distribution of funds. There are no administrative, advertising, or any other hidden costs. You will even receive a spreadsheet of the cost breakdown.
As mentioned before the most wonderful part of travelling to Guatemala with Children of the Lake is that you get to meet your sponsor student, their family, see where they live and where they will be attending school. On the middle Saturday of the trip the group will take a shuttle into the mountains and visit the village of sponsor students. You will also be introduced to Urias who is the driving force behind improving the educational standards in the Lake Atitlan district. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to use your Spanish. After returning back to Australia your sponsor student will write regular letters to you updating you of their progress. Children of the Lake will also keep a updated profile of the student online for you to view, including photos and copies of their report cards. You will be well informed of the progress of your sponsor child throughout the duration of the sponsorship.
By deciding to travel with Children of the Lake you have not only potentially changed your own life forever but the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children in Guatemala.
Sponsoring a Child without Travelling to Guatemala
If you are unable to commit to a trip to Guatemala but still want to sponsor a student with Children of the Lake it is still possible. The cost is $300 and a commitment of 3 years is required so the student is able to complete their studies. This amount will go to paying for the student's school tuition, their uniforms and any other essential school necessities, such notebooks, textbooks, calculators, pens, etc. Whilst you will be unable to meet the student and their family you will be provided with a complete profile of the child and their current circumstance. Your sponsor student will also write regular letters to you updating you of their progress. Children of the Lake will also keep a updated profile of the student online for you to view, including photos and copies of their report cards. You will be well informed of the progress of your sponsor student throughout the duration of the sponsorship and maybe one day you may consider a trip with Children of the Lake to meet your sponsor student.