How is HUGS Changing Lives?
Ana
Ana is now 9 and has been a HUGS student for over two years. Her father passed away when she was only 4 years old leaving mom with 4 children to raise alone. HUGS encountered the family when our coordinator went to buy tortillas and found Lesly, Ana’s older sister working there. Lesly had dropped out of school at 15 to help the family financially. HUGS enrolled all 4 children, sending Lesly to a Saturday school to complete her education. Lesly has now graduated and is working. Ana was given a scholarship to Life school and is already almost completely fluent in English. She is extremely bright and we tell her she could be president someday.
You may also notice she is the inspiration for our logo!
Erick & Elvia
Erick & Elvia live with their single, alcoholic Mother and their older sister and aunt in a small room that has no running water. People in their “slum apartment” save rainwater during rainy season in large containers. Erick, Elvia’s older brother was one of the 3 first HUGS students. Both Erick & Elvia have been selling souvenirs on the street since they were about 4 years old. When their mother is drinking, Rosa, their 20 year old aunt, is responsible for them. She also sells souvenirs and nuts on the street to bring in more income. Erick actually stopped going to school for about 3 months when his mom was having her worst drinking spells. He returned to school and is doing well now. HUGS provides both Erick and Elvia with tuition, school supplies and school uniforms, otherwise they would be child street vendors with no hope of an education.
Irvin
Irvin is an extremely bright student who lives with his mom, dad and multiple other family members in a very small house. He and his parents have one bedroom and share a small kitchen space with the other family members.
Irvin was attending a public school and the teachers were constantly telling him to slow down as he was always way ahead of his classmates. Janni spoke to the director at Life School and was finally able to arrange a scholarship for him. Irvin is now excelling in 5th grade and understands and speaks English. He is so far ahead in math that the teacher is considering special assignments for him.
Felipe
Felipe’s father left the family when Felipe was 15 and should have been entering his “career” the two last years of high school. He was the only child at home but his newly single mom could not afford to keep him in school. The career portion of school is the most expensive and Felipe had his heart set on being an electrician. The electrical program is more expensive due to the cost of materials. When HUGS enrolled Felipe in 2022 he put his head in his hands and cried, he was so relieved. Felipe immediately wrote a letter to his donor and sponsor and translated it into English. Part of his letter stated “I will study hard and I won’t disappoint you” and he hasn’t. Felipe studied hard while working on weekends as a waiter at a local restaurant. He graduated in Nov of 2024 and is now working as an electrician. Most recently, he added an outlet to the HUGS office!
Alanis Mishari
Mishari is 15 years old and the oldest of 5 siblings. Her mother is due to deliver her 6th child in Feb 2025. Mishari is a good student and wanted to remain in school but her parents couldn’t afford the higher cost involved in her last two years of school. Mishari and her family live in a small two room wooden house with dirt floors and an outdoor woodstove. The house is in poor condition and the children are malnourished. HUGS enrolled Mishari and one of her younger brothers in December of 2024 and added them to the monthly grocery list. Their income places them at the extreme poverty level.
Galilea
Galilea and her brother, Oliver, had to drop out of school when their dad became too ill to work. When the family requested help from HUGS, their father was bedbound in severe pain due to an arthritic type condition. HUGS has also intervened in his case, sending him to a rheumatologist about 2 hours away and supporting his medications. Mr. Orozco is now able to walk with a cane and his pain level has decreased exponentially. Galilea’s dream was to be a teacher but her father could not afford the tuition and school supplies necessary to further her education. HUGS enrolled both children and Galilea has earned status as the top student in her class. She consistently works hard and prepares amazing teaching projects. She is thrilled to be planning to graduate in November of 2025 and begin her teaching career. HUGS has changed her life and made her dreams come true.
Angela Mendoza
Angela is a very bright and studious 9 year old who lives with her parents and numerous siblings in a small village about 30 minutes from HUGS office in Panajachel. Their dad is 72 years old and works in the fields every day. Mom is a housewife. They have 9 children, 5 of whom still live at home. All of the family were sleeping on a concrete floor in a small adobe room. Dad had never slept in a bed in his entire life. HUGS provided 3 sets of bunkbeds, with the bottom of one being a full size bed for the parents. The family was so grateful that the next time HUGS visited Mr. Mendoza stated “I don’t feel the night anymore!” HUGS provides Angela and her younger brother, Juan David, with school enrollment fees, school supplies and shoes. Angela loves to read. HUGS is encouraging her education by providing books for her to take home.