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The Children of Nimasac, Guatemala, all smiles.
WHAT WE DO:
Simply put, Esperanza:
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provides scholarships to help students continue their education
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partners with other organizations to create economic opportunities
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supports healthier futures in rural Guatemala.
WHY WE DO IT:
Because every child and family deserves the opportunity to thrive.
See how Esperanza de Guatemala's work is changing lives. Explore Esperanza de Guatemala's website and learn about our mission to combat poverty and create opportunities in the Guatemalan Highlands.
Thanks for visiting.
Why Guatemala?
Esperanza de Guatemala is on a mission to reduce and eliminate the challenges brought about by extreme poverty in indigenous Mayan Guatemalan communities, where the average adult only has a sixth grade education and the rate of malnutrition is the 4th highest in the world.
In partnership with these communities, Esperanza de Guatemala creates opportunities to receive a better education, an improved economic situation and a healthier life.
Guatemala is the poorest country in Central America and has the largest population. The average income for an indigenous Mayan family is approximately $2400/yr.
We work in the Department (State) of Totonicapan in the Western Highlands, near the city of Quetzaltenango.
We're making a difference. Esperanza de Guatemala and its partners are seeing these results:
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students are getting a chance to further their education in middle school, high school and even university...
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local schools are becoming better resourced and the first middle school was built by the commuity
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EEEP (Esperanza's Economic Empowerment Project) began in August of 2026 with 12 participants (7 women & 5 men) on a three year journey to build businesses and create sustainable income
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women are learning marketable skills...
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farmers have received support in skill development and assistance to purchase fertilizer...
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town residents finally received running water-- and now it's filtered for health and safety...
Recent Highlights
Here's where you can get a glimpse of what we're doing now, or hope to do in the near future.
During 2025, a memorable aspect of the trip to Guatemala was connecting with Herencia Viva, a well-established local nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic empowerment and financial literacy in Nimasac. Building on this relationship, Esperanza de Guatemala launched a partnership with Herencia Viva in spring 2026. Now the program is underway!
The collaboration offers a comprehensive three-year entrepreneurship program for families, offering:
• Practical education and guidance to develop sustainable business models
• Initial funding to help launch new businesses
• Opportunities for families to share experiences and support each other’s progress
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and additional opportunities in education and health care.
The overarching aim is to help participants move beyond mere subsistence by fostering personal and professional growth within their communities so they can prosper and achieve lasting success.
Read more about this here:
