Transform Lives Through Education in Guatemala
Your support provides essential school supplies and tuition for children living in extreme poverty.
Children Deserve Better Educational Opportunities
According to Guatemala’s National Statistics Institute, 56% of Guatemala’s population lives in poverty.
Out of that 56%, 16.2% live under extreme poverty conditions.
In Guatemala, education equals a brighter future.
Children who grow up uneducated lack the skills needed to secure a life-changing job.
The heartbeat of HUGS is to break the cycle of poverty so that none of our students feel trapped in menial positions for life, which can lead to hopelessness and alcoholism.
Graduates of HUGS secure better jobs, bringing skills back to their communities as electricians, teachers, medical staff, and more.
Transform a
Child’s Life With Basic Resources
Your donation equips children with essential school supplies, empowering them to escape the cycle of poverty through education.
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Guatemalan schools charge annual enrollment fees. Our private schools also have monthly tuition. HUGS pays these fees and also provides school supplies.
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Most Guatemalan schools require school uniforms. Students must wear daily uniforms with dress shoes and complete PE uniforms including tennis shoes. HUGS students receive all these necessities so they can attend school in the proper clothing.
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Some of our families do not have enough resources to obtain adequate nutrition for their children and they are malnourished. In these cases HUGS supplies monthly groceries for up to 6 months. Many of our families do not have adequate beds. In some homes 5 or 6 individuals sleep in one bed, in others our students have been sleeping on a dirt or concrete floor. Due to the generosity of our donors HUGS has built numerous bunkbeds for our students. Nutrition and a good night’s sleep make a huge difference in the child’s ability to learn at school.
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HUGS staff establishes and maintains caring relationships with students and their families. HUGS children know they are special and loved.
No Child Should Miss Out on Education
Your support will help us assure children have a chance to go to school, rather than vending on the streets at 6 or 7 years old. By donating to HUGS, you can give children the tools they need to overcome hardship and achieve their dreams.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to breaking the cycle of poverty - one child at a time. Thank you for helping us transform lives!
You can help children in Guatemala access education.
Our mission is to provide the essential resources children need to overcome barriers to education and empower their future. Your donation will make a tangible impact!
In 2024, HUGS:
Enrolled 126 children in school, many for the very first time
Graduated 5 students into the workforce
Provided 181 school supply kits
Paid 672 school fees through various forms of tuition
Gifted 89 backpacks
3 Ways to Partner with HUGS
1. Make a
Donation
2. Sponsor a
Child
3. Take a Trip to Guatemala
Janni Martin
Executive Director
In 2019, after years of serving in Guatemala as a nurse and supporting local artisans, Janni met children who couldn’t attend school simply because they couldn’t afford supplies. What started as a small act of kindness grew into HUGS (Help Us Go to School)- helping children stay in school by providing the essential support they need most.
Your generosity can change a child’s future. Join us in making education possible!
