Youth in Guatemala are excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Success Academy and to have Orphan Helpers facilitators investing in their lives.  For so many young people, it has been a long time since someone sat down to listen to them, since someone shared with them about hope for a better future. 

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In the words of students entering the Success Academy in 2023: 

• “I enrolled in the Academy because I see the support that Orphan Helpers provides, and this is not something others are doing. I am inspired to set goals and I know that with Orphan Helpers support I know I can achieve great things.”

• “I enrolled in the Academy because I want to be a better person and learn new things in order to be able to help my family.  I want my family to be proud of me. After spending some time with the Orphan Helpers facilitators, I see that I am capable of learning and achieving great things. I want to learn to work as a team and be one of the best in my class. I know I can!“

• “I decided to enroll in the Academy because it is time for me to take advantage of the opportunities that God has given me. I want to learn new things, become a better person, and overcome the obstacles I have had in life. The Orphan Helpers teachers are so kind and have taught us that we can accomplish our goals if we work hard. I am inspired to make change happen.”

WHY SUPPORT YOUTH IN GUATEMALA?  

There are five centers for youth in Guatemala. Orphan Helpers has begun working in the girls center called Gorriones, located in San Pedro Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. The center is home to an average of 80 young women. On January 16, 2023, the Guatemala team celebrated the inauguration of the Success Academy classes in Gorriones. We have 18 girls enrolled in the Success Academy. 

Another way our Success Academy our facilitators  connect with youth is through workshops using art as therapy to process past trauma. The 'I Am Art' workshop is a tool to connect our stories with God’s story of redemption. This is a safe space where the girls explore their talents while learning more about God and their identity in Him. 

“I learned that I can do new things that I never before thought possible. God calls each one of us His child, and has given us all different talents and abilities. I Am Art was special to me, and the workshop taught me patience. I learned to work as a team, and how to combine colors. I learned that I am capable of learning new things quickly.” - 16 year old student of the newly launched Success Academy.