Guatemala

Guatemala is a tropical country located in Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize. Having first been inhabited by the Mayan civilization since the first millennium AD, Guatemala was then colonized by Spain in the 1520s, and ultimately gained its independence in 1821. In the latter half of the 20th century it experienced a tragic 36-year guerrilla war (ending in 1996), which left more than 100,000 people dead and created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees.

The country suffers a great divide between rich and poor. According to 2008 estimates, more than 60% of Guatemala’s people live below the poverty line, the country’s GDP per capita is $4,873.607 US (placing it 77th in the world) and only 2.6% of the country’s GDP is spent on education (placing it 154th in the world). The vast majority of Guatemala’s poor are among the Maya and indigenous population whom we seek to serve and help.

In order to help the children living in these dire circumstances and give them hope for a better future, AOJ began its ministry in Guatemala with a food distribution program designed to rescue children whose families were making a living by scouring the central garbage dump in Guatemala City. Then we introduced a sponsorship program to better the lives of children. On top of this, various medical outreaches and clothing distribution programs were introduced. In 2001, the program began providing education to young children, who otherwise would not have gone to school. Now we have grown to a fully accredited elementary school, along with programs in house-building, food distribution and community outreach.

OUR VISION:

OUR MISSION:

• uses Biblically based spiritual instruction and advice, through professionals, to form Christian leaders with the objective of developing a firm SPIRITUAL base in each girl and boy;
• provides EMOTIONAL support in each girl and boy through professionals with the objective to form leaders with confidence and self-esteem, so that they can have the same opportunities and necessary means to advance, regardless of their gender or socio-economic status;
• forms leaders academically prepared through EDUCATIONAL excellence, providing them an advanced education with the objective that they can make decisions to support themselves; and,
• provides that what is necessary to protect the PHYSICAL aspect of each girl and boy through specific programs that serve the development of the body and mind, with the objective to form responsible leaders.

OUR MINISTRIES: