WE, The GOD'S CHILD Community, are benefactors, friends, volunteers, and children joined together to assist God's poorest children in their educational, social, physical, and spiritual growth. We view education as a practical way to help poor children escape from an otherwise painful life... to read more click here.
In General
The several hundred children assisted by The GOD'S CHILD Project currently fall into twenty-one different "categories". In general, though, they are children who are (a) exceptionally poor and continue to live with their own families, and (b) older, orphaned, abandoned, or otherwise hurt children who can no longer live with their natural families... to read more click here.
70% of the Children
Approximately seventy percent of the children cared for and educated by The GOD'S CHILD Project are from exceptionally poor, yet generally positively-focused, families. These children are encouraged by the Project to stay with their natural families rather than to try life on their own or on the streets. Due to the severity of the poverty of these families, the Project provides food, medical and dental care, clothing, education and educational supplies, bus fare, crisis intervention, health-care workshops, and family development training... to read more click here.
30% of the Children
Thirty percent of the boys and girls cared for and educated by The GOD'S CHILD Project are orphaned, abandoned, or otherwise hurt children who can no longer live with their natural families... to read more click here.
Our Response
The GOD'S CHILD Project is a dignifying program which serves poor children wishing to break free from their chains of poverty. It is based on the Bismarck Method, a patented no-nonsense child-care methodology designed by Patrick Atkinson. The Bismarck Method centers on the six principles of unconditional love, persistence, respect, faith, learning, and structure. In its practical approach, the help the children receive is packaged as a "scholarship" which is comprised of "natural human rights" and "earned rights"... to read more click here.
Geo-Sociographic Summary
Lying between Mexico (to the north), El Salvador (to the south), Honduras and 50 miles of Caribbean coastline (to the east) and over 200 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline (to the west), Guatemala is Central America's most varied and densely populated country... to read more click here.
Guatemala's History
Long before Christopher Columbus came to America, the Maya civilization had already flourished in Guatemala. The Mayas left indelible traces of their extraordinary astronomical knowledge (which they used as the basis for their surprisingly accurate calendar.) They also developed medicine, agriculture, mathematics, architecture and their advanced political organization and mystical polytheist religion... to read more click here.
Proverty in Guatemala
Although industry is rapidly establishing a foothold within Guatemala, agriculture still employs about 50 percent of the nation's workers. Very few of these workers, however, actually own the land that they work on and those that do are often unable to produce enough food to live on... to read more click here.
Education
There is a 52% illiteracy rate in Guatemala (as compared to 13% in the United States), with many parts of the rural areas reaching upwards of 85-90% illiteracy. The children of the rural Indians and urban poor often do not study past third or fourth grade since they are needed to help make a living so that their family can survive... to read more click here.
Standard of Living
The living conditions for the Guatemala living among the rural poor or in the urban slums are too difficult for most people to imagine. In the countryside, their one-room shacks are usually made from cane or corn stalks, set vertically and lashed together. Others are made of non-reinforced hard-packed mud or adobe. The floors are hard-packed dirt and the roofs may be covered with palm branches, grasses, pieces of tin or scrap wood... to read more click here.
Traditions
Birthdays and holidays are just as important to children in Guatemala as they are everywhere, and you will probably find your child referring to it in the letters that you will receive. Some holidays, such as Christmas and New Years, are celebrated the world over. Others are unique to Guatemala. Guatemalans love fiestas and celebrate them with music and color at every opportunity... to read more click here.
