What is Niños del Lago?
Niños del Lago (NdL) is a Guatemalan Non-profit organization that works with vulnerable children, providing support in education, health and inspiration, offering the opportunity to participate in educational, cultural, creative, and motivational experiences aimed to help them to fulfil their potential, dare to dream, to become positive role-models to others.
Niños del Lago is a registered as Asociación Civil No-Lucrativa in Guatemala, a US-Registered 501©(3) NGO (non-governmental organization), and a registered ANBI (Algemeen nut beogendeinstelling/Public benefit organization) in the Netherlands.
Why the Children of Guatemala?
Guatemala faces profound challenges in a number of areas that directly impact the well-being of its population, especially in the most vulnerable communities. Poverty affects more than half of Guatemalans, with high rates of child malnutrition, lack of access to quality education, and limited health services. In addition, social and economic inequality perpetuates barriers to development, while violence and political instability aggravate the situation. Despite these challenges, the country has enormous potential in its children and in the work of community organizations that seek to transform the living conditions of children to create a more equitable and sustainable future.
What do we do to Support Children?
At Niños del Lago we seek to break the cycles of poverty in Guatemala through a comprehensive approach that educates, provides health, food and inspires. By providing children with access to quality education, basic health care, healthy food and inspirational programs that foster their self-confidence and leadership, we seek to empower them to believe in their abilities and take advantage of opportunities to build a better future. This approach not only directly impacts their personal development, but also benefits their communities, promoting sustainable and generational change.
To achieve our mission, we implement the following strategies:
TUTORING PROGRAM
"Stay in School"
We provide group tutoring sessions to strengthen academic skills in core subjects like math and literacy. Our program ensures that children receive consistent support throughout the school year, empowering them to succeed academically and helping reduce dropout rates.
HEALTH PROGRAM
"Growing Healthy"
We provide children with essential medical care, access to nutritious food, nutritional education, and hygiene habits that support their health. Through these efforts, we aim to improve their physical well-being, reduce illness, and promote healthy growth and development.
INSPIRATIONAL PROGRAM
"Empathy & Impact"
We create supportive spaces where children learn to manage their emotions healthily, build self-esteem, and develop positive coping skills. Through these trusting environments, they are encouraged to believe in themselves and understand how their actions impact others and their communities.
What Results Do We Plan to Achieve?
We aim to ensure that all children have access to the resources and support they need to build a better future. By empowering them through education, health initiatives, and emotional support, we foster their potential to create positive changes in their lives and communities.
Through these components, we seek to achieve the following outcomes:
Improved academic performance: We anticipate significant improvements in our beneficiaries’ academic skills, which will be reflected in higher grades and increased school retention rates.
Enhanced Health: We aim to significantly improve children’s physical health and overall well-being, reducing the incidence of illness while promoting healthy growth and development.
Emotional Resilience: Empower children with essential tools to manage their emotions effectively, fostering improved mental health, enhanced self-esteem, and resilient coping skills.
Empowerment as Agents of Change: We aim to nurture children as empowered individuals who can inspire positive change in their communities. By helping them recognize and trust in their own strengths, we encourage them to take bold steps toward improving their lives.
Long-term impact on poverty reduction: We seek to equip children with the skills and resources they require to thrive, thereby fostering sustainable development in their communities
Together, we can change lives!
